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Jonathan Assures On Rule Of Law …Says ASUU Has No More Reason To Strike

Published

12 years ago

August 28, 2013

L-R: Administrator, Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, Eleme LGA Chairman, Hon. Oji Ngofa, HRH Chief Philip Osaro and Chief B.M Olowa, during a sensitisation meeting between the Authority and Aleto Clan in Eleme LGA for the acquisition of lands for the Eleme Industrial Area by the Rivers State Government, recently.

President Goodluck Jonathan has commended the leadership of Nigerian Bar Association for its choice of “Law, Leadership and Challenges of Nationhood in the 21st Century Nigeria’’ as theme for its 2013 conference.
He made the commendation in an address at the opening of the 2013 Annual General Conference of the NBA last Monday in Calabar.
Represented by Mr Mohammed Adoke, the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Jonathan said the theme reflected the centrality of law in the economic and socio-political spheres of Nigeria.
“The theme of this year’s conference: “Law, Leadership and Challenges of Nationhood in the 21st Century Nigeria,” is particularly significant.
“It takes cognizance of the centrality of law in the economic and socio-political spheres of our nation as well as Nigeria’s quest for transformational leadership as we prepare to celebrate 100 years of our existence as a nation.
“I,therefore, congratulate the leadership of the bar for this initiative and for organising what promises to be a very successful conference.
“I am delighted to have been invited to present an address at the opening ceremony of the 2013 annual general conference of the NBA.
“I commend our amiable President, Mr Okey Wali (SAN), for his inspirational leadership and the members of the executive committee for their committed service to our great association.
The president also congratulated Governor Liyel Imok for being “ a worthy ambassador of the bar in governance in the present democratic dispensation.’’
According to him, Imoke’s developmental stride bears glowing testimony of his astuteness and able leadership in handling the affairs of the state.
Jonathan also restated the pre-eminent position of the law in the development agenda of nation states.
He said that Nigerian courts had done well in spite of “controversies that attend political rivalries and contests within and outside political parties, in the course of evolving sustainable constitutional principles for our democracy.
“And in the face of security challenges, the courts have dispensed justice according to the law and our constitutional evolution has benefited immensely from their interventions.
The president also listed a number of challenges for nation states whether developed or developing most prominent of which was how to ensure the security of lives and property in the face of increasing global terrorism.
He said that other challenges include how to protect the rights and liberties of the people in the midst of competing social norms and how to achieve economic development and improvement in living conditions of the people.
“In Nigeria, the challenges of nationhood are more pronounced in the areas of security, fostering of national unity and democratic consolidation.
“The threat of global terrorism hitherto, considered an alien phenomenon has unfortunately found a place in our nation.
He lamented the alarming security situation in the country, saying it had now passed crisis point.
The NBA boss also described the abduction of Ozekhome as a sad commentary on the state of national security, appealing to the Federal Government to stand up to the security challenges in the country.
He said that members of the bar were sad that “the new faces of crime like kidnapping, terrorism, insurgency, cyber crime, etc in recent times have led to the loss of precious lives of Nigerians.
Meanwhile, President Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said there was no need for the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to continue with its industrial action.
Jonathan said this at the inauguration of the Federal Government sponsored-transformation projects at the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
Represented by the Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyat Rufai, the President said N30 billion had been released for the payment of earned allowances in all public universities.
The president said that the inaugurated projects were in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to providing quality education in the country.
He said the projects were based on the need assessment exercise conducted by the Federal Government in universities.
Jonathan urged the university administration to engage in research for national development, while stressing the need for proper maintenance of completed projects.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

1 day ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.