News

2015: ODM Takes Ogoni Guber Quest To Grassroots

Published

12 years ago

May 9, 2014

L-R: Guest Speaker, Prof. Samuel Egwu, Chairman, pdp Plateau Chapter, Dr Haruna Dabin and representative of the secretary to the State Government, Mr Kwamkur Samuel, during a symposium on the role of labour towards 2015 election for good governance in Jos, recently. Photo: NAN.

Towards ensuring that Ogonis produce the governor of Rivers State come 2015, the Ogoni Democratic Movement (ODM) has taken its campaign to the grassroots with the inauguration of local government chapters of the movement across Ogoni Ethnic Nationality.
ODM, which consists of Eleme, Gokana, Khana and Tai local government areas with the slogan “Ogoni for Governor” started the process with the inauguration of the Gokana Chapter at Kpor, headquarters of Gokana Local Government Area.
Speaking at the event, President-General of ODM, Godwin Bazari, said the group assignment was anchored on awakening the spirit of Ogonis towards producing a successor to Governor Amaechi come 2015.
To strengthen the process, Bazari said, the group was embarking on door to door mobilization of Ogonis and other ethnic groups in the state to support the quest.
“Our assignment is to awaken the spirit of the people to realize the objective of an Ogoni Governor come 2015. We are here to mobilize our people from door to door for this project. We appeal to other ethnic groups in the state to support us this time, because we have served them well,” he said.
Bazari denied insinuations that the people were not united, saying “the Ogonis are not divided, we have qualified and competent candidates that will take over Rivers Government House, come 2015”, adding that the people will not settle for less nor vote any party that failed to field an Ogoni as standard bearer.
In his speech, Chairman, Gokana Local Government Council, Demua Ledee Demua, who received ODM delegation on a courtesy call, urged the movement to work with the people to achieve the 2015 project; saying the council will continue to support moves that will benefit the people of Gokana and Ogonis in general.
In his speech Bishop, Methodist Diocese of Gokana, Rt. Rev. Humphrey Nnam, said the Christian community in Ogoniland will back the Ogoni 2015 Governorship project, while the President, Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP), Legborsi Pyagbara, represented by Bari-ara Kpalap, said the pan-Ogoni organization was happy to have ODM on board, particularly, as it relates to the Ogoni governorship project.
The Coordinator, Ogoni Solidarity Forum (OSF), Celestine Akpobari; President, Ikwerre/Etche Peoples’ Forum, Emma Amadi, Hon. Innocent Barikor of the Rivers State House of Assembly and the representative of Rivers Peoples’ Congress, Innocent Ajaelu, in their separate solidarity messages, pledged support for an Ogoni governor come 2015.
Earlier, president-general of ODM paid a courtesy call on the Gbenemene, Gokana, King Barnabas Bagia, who appealed to Rivers people to support the agitation by the Ogonis to produce the next governor of the state.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days 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

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days 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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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days 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.