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PHC, Oyigbo Monarchs Restate Support For Peterside
The King of Port Harcourt City, Eze Victor Woluchem, has charged governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, to build an altar for the Lord when he becomes governor, come May 29.
The monarch said he is happy that the APC candidate is driving his campaign on absolute faith in God, entering churches across denominations and seeking God’s help in places of worship in towns and communities.
He described Peterside as a man of faith who, despite his earthly accomplishments, continues to be humble, God-fearing and simple in his dealings with people.
The King made the remarks during a courtesy call on him by the Greater Together Campaign Organisation in Port Harcourt, the state capital
“I have seen a lot of posters in this election period but none compares to your own. I discovered from those posters and billboards that you are a praying man. I have also read and seen reports of how you pray in churches as you campaign in our towns and villages. I want to encourage you to build an altar for the Lord in Government House when you become governor.
“Today, you have come to the palace to seek blessing. If you leave here, your campaign will surely be energised. And let me assure you that the soil you are walking on now is the mother soil of the Government House.
“I am not about political parties; I don’t know their colours or logos. But I know about individuals. Anybody who knows Rivers State very well knows that after Okilo, we have not had any government that affected the state like we have today. Any traditional ruler that is sincere will say the same thing. We saw development like we have never seen in years. But the unseen hand, that unsung personality is somebody who was commissioner of works. If not for him, we will not have had this unprecedented development, and that person is Dakuku Peterside.
“When I heard about your entry into this governorship race, I concluded that there was no contest. Discerning Rivers people, irrespective of party affiliation, know that you are the most acceptable, and I know you are not surprised about the support you are receiving across the state.
“This is why we are all behind you, but please, don’t let politics change you. Be the man you have always been, be that man we have always known because politics will come and go. I assure you, success is yours. For other youth like you, the future is already here and I am happy you are taking the lead”, Woluchem said.
The royal father later prayed and blessed the candidate and handed a copy of the Holy Bible to him.
In his speech, Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Rivers State, Boms Wogu, described Peterside as a blessing to the people of the state.
He said gradually, supporters and admirers of the APC candidate are moving from prayer to thanksgiving, an indication that God’s purpose for this state will be accomplished soon.
Responding, Peterside, who is also a preacher of God’s word, said he will do more than just building an altar for the Lord come March 29.
He added that his reign will glorify God, assuring that he will be fair and committed in his service to the people of Rivers State.
Meanwhile, the Eze Oba Oyigbo in Oyigbo LGA,His Royal Majesty, Eze Mike Nwaji, has described the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress, (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, as a humble and God-fearing man who is fulfilling God’s promise for the people of Rivers State.
He said the overwhelming support trailing Peterside’s campaign train today is divine, the reason he is the only candidate of choice and consensus in Rivers State.
The royal father, therefore, called on Rivers people to support God’s programme by avoiding any unholy act capable of circumventing God’s plan for them.
He made the declaration when the APC candidate and Greater Together Campaign Organisation paid him a courtesy call during their ward rallies in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state.
“Peterside is a humble leader who has a listening ear for everybody, irrespective of status. Everybody prays for leaders who care and listen, that is the direction the world is headed now. At a personal level, I can call Peterside at anytime and he answers. This is why I am calling on everybody to follow Peterside because God has ordained him”, he said.
“Anytime I talk about this forth-coming election, I insist on APC and their candidates because they are the people I know. Besides, we are not looking for a ruler, all we want is a leader, and Peterside is that leader, which is why everybody must support his candidature.
“We all appreciate the saying that the voice of the people is the voice of God. Today, we have spoken and God is a witness. It does not matter how many people go to battle with you because our God is a God of minority. What matters is God’s plan. Once your name is mentioned anywhere, God will protect you because He has chosen you for this race. Everybody wants you and I can assure you that you are already there.
“Let me give you a secret. Most people in PDP say they will vote their choices but for governorship, they will vote for that Peterside, the APC candidate who is humble and as beautiful as a woman.
“Your strength as far as I am concerned in this election is that you are humble, God-fearing, respectful and compassionate. Please may these qualities abide with you even in Government House”, he added
Peterside, in his response, said he cannot afford to disappoint traditional rulers and chiefs, men, women, religious leaders, professional bodies and young people who have supported him since he emerged as a candidate.
He promised to continue to uphold qualities of humility, respect, compassion and fear of God in his dealings with fellow men.
He contended that service at any level is a privilege, adding that for that reason, public office holders must be conscious of the fact that in the fullness of time, they will give account to God.
The National Coordinator of Embedded Ai -EU Erasmus Project in Nigeria, Prof. Bourdillon Omijeh, has commended the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association (NECA) and the Rivers State Government for their strategic partnership in organizing the Job Fair 2026.
The Job Fair with theme: “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” took place at Obi International Conference Center, Port Harcourt, last week.
Speaking as Special Guest, Professor Omijeh stated that result-oriented human capital development and trainings focused on relevant skills is the most effective solution to reducing the high rate of graduate unemployment in Rivers State.
He noted that Nigeria is firmly in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), driven by technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Machine Learning, Big Data Analytics, Internet of Things, Virtual and Augmented Reality, and 5G.
According to him, these emerging technologies offer enormous employment and entrepreneurial opportunities across critical sectors, including agriculture, power, Telecommunication, oil and gas, healthcare, and security.
He emphasized the growing shift from job seeking to job creation, explaining that youths equipped with 4IR skills can become innovators, solution providers, and founders of startups and new industries.
Professor Omijeh further stated that Nigeria is richly endowed with talented youths capable of competing globally when properly empowered with the right skills, support, and enabling environment.
He called for sustained collaboration between government, the private sector, and educational institutions to build a future-ready workforce and drive inclusive economic growth in Rivers State.
To the over 4000 teeming youths present, Professor Omijeh said, according to Bill Gate, that “Being born poor is not a fault, but remaining poor in a world of opportunity and skills is a responsibility that must be consciously addressed.
“Don’t allow your current circumstances define your destiny. There’s a seed of greatness in you. Sieze any and every opportunity to develop yourself and acquire the requisite skills.
He passionately urged the Rivers State Government to intentionally invest and fund result-oriented training programmes through the strategic Ministry of Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment and Ministry of Youth Development to increase employability and reduce the rate of graduate unemployment in Rivers State.
He thanked the Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Honorable Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom K. Gbali, for this laudable initiative with NECA.
Professor Bourdillon Omijeh is the National Coordinator of the Embedded Artificial Intelligence (EAI) -EU Erasmus Project in Nigeria; Immediate Past Director of Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering Uniport, NCC-Chair Occupant on ICT Uniport; TensorFlow four (4) times award winner on Capacity building on Ai & ML -(2021-2024), CEO-Bourdillon Omijeh Foundation.
As a Professional Mentor, he has facilitated the training of thousands of youths on 4IR- Skills with relevant certifications and evidential engagements.
Follow Prof Bourdillon Omijeh on LinkedIn.
Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has urged youths in the state to take advantage of the vast opportunities available to become employers of labour and contribute meaningfully to growth and development.
Fubara said global trends increasingly favour entrepreneurship and innovation, stressing that youths in Rivers State must not be left behind in harnessing such opportunities.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Benibo Anabraba, the governor stated this while declaring open the 2026 Job Fair organised by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the Nigeria Employers’ Consultative Association in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Speaking on the theme, “Addressing Youth Employability for Prosperity,” the governor acknowledged the responsibility of government to create jobs for its teeming youth population but noted that it was unrealistic to absorb all job seekers into the civil service.
“As a government, we recognise our duty to provide employment opportunities for our teeming youths. However, we also understand that not all youths can be accommodated within the civil service.
“This underscores the need to encourage entrepreneurship across diverse sectors and to partner with other stakeholders, including the youths themselves, so they can transition from being job seekers to employers of labour,” he said.
Fubara further urged participants to continually sharpen their skills and explore opportunities within their immediate environment and the global space through digital platforms.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace and providing an enabling environment for youths to develop their potential and thrive.
In a goodwill message, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr Chisom Gbali, said the job fair was designed to equip youths with contemporary skills, innovation and mentorship needed to transform them from unemployable to resourceful individuals.
Gbali disclosed that the ministry had rolled out various training and capacity-building programmes in areas such as ICT and artificial intelligence, oil and gas, maritime, and the blue economy.
Delivering the keynote address, the Head of the Department of Human Resources Management, Rivers State University, Dr Chris Biriowu, advised participants to remain informed about evolving sources of employability.
He said the labour market was dynamic and shaped by industry-specific demands, technological advancement, management practices and other emerging factors.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Professor Ngozi Odu, has poured accolades on late Amayanabo of Opobo, HRM Dandeson Douglas Jaja V, saying his footprints went beyond the State.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the wife of the late king, Prof. Odu said the late monarch contributed meaningfully beyond the shores of Rivers State.
“He contributed not only to Opobo, not only to Rivers State, but to Nigeria as a nation. We all know the various positions he held until his passing. For us as a Commission, we are really going to miss him greatly, especially at this time when his guidance was most needed,” she stressed.
She described the late king as a distinguished traditional ruler whose life and service contributed immensely to the development of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
The deputy governor, who also serves as Chairman of the Rivers State Boundary Commission, noted that until his demise, King Jaja was an Ex-Officio member of the Commission, representing Rivers South East Senatorial District.
According to her, the late monarch actively participated in several meetings of the Commission and played an important advisory role.
“He actually participated with us in a couple of meetings. It was with great shock that we received the news of his passing. We saw daddy as someone who was very strong, healthy and athletic,” Prof. Odu said.
Prof. Odu explained that the Commission relied heavily on the wisdom of traditional rulers like the late monarch to ensure that its responsibilities were carried out properly and conscientiously.
She assured the family of the Commission’s continued support, saying they will remain close to the family throughout the burial arrangements and beyond.
Addressing the widow, Queen Prudence Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Prof. Odu said the visit was to commiserate with her and encourage her during the period of mourning.
“Please accept our condolences. Please be strong and put your hope in God. The God who watches over widows will never abandon you,” the deputy governor prayed.
“We cannot question God. What has happened has happened. All we can do is to pull ourselves together. That is why we are here to pray that the Holy Spirit will strengthen you, that God will turn your sadness into joy and clothe you with a garment of beauty,” she added.
Responding, Queen Jaja described her late husband as a gentle, humble man who was deeply committed to the progress of Rivers State, and Nigeria at large.
She expressed gratitude to the deputy governor and other members of the Boundary Commission for identifying with the family in their moment of grief.
“We are praying that his soul will rest in perfect peace. I thank you very much for coming to console me at this trying moment. Seeing you here has given me comfort. God bless each and every one of you,” she said.
She also offered prayers for the delegation, wishing them a long life and good health.
Highlight of the visit was the presentation Letter of Condolence from the Rivers State Boundary Commission to Queen Jaja.
Kevin Nengia
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