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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.
Eleven outstanding poetry collections are now in the race for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature, arguably Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prize.
The 11 collections were selected from a total of 223 entries received for this year’s competition.
Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who announced the longlist, said the emergence of the 11 collections marks a significant milestone in this year’s competition and reflects the exceptional quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry.
According to her, the longlisted titles, arranged in alphabetical order, are: Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide; Bakandimiya by Saddiq Dzukogi; Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje; 2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase; Ceremony For The Nameless by Theresa Lola; Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku; and Floral’s Love Colony by Tares Oburumu.
Other successful entries are, The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan; The Years of Blood by Adebayo Agarau; Unbind Me Now by James Ugwu Eze; and Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.
Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo described the announcement as an important stage in the 2026 edition of the prize.
She noted that the collections demonstrate the remarkable capacity of poetry to illuminate human experience through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory and artistic expression.
According to her, the works revisit history while interrogating dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relations.
She stated that despite their varied emphases, the books share a commitment to exploring the endurance of individuals and communities in the face of violence, oppression and social fragmentation.
On style and language, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo said the books display an impressive diversity of poetic techniques marked by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth and artistic innovation.
“Many employ densely poetic, allegorical, and elegiac modes that invite multiple layers of interpretation, while others draw extensively on folklore, oral traditions, and contemporary realities to create a compelling fusion of past and present. Their language is generally fluid, evocative, and aesthetically refined, relying on vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and intellectual sophistication to communicate complex ideas. These works demonstrate how poetic language can illuminate social realities; challenge established perspectives and give voice to both individual and collective experiences.
“The next stage will demand a closer reading of each work, with attention to language, form, originality and lasting literary value,” she stated.
The Board chairman commended the judges for their painstaking work and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to a credible process, literary excellence and the promotion of a strong reading culture.
With the announcement of the 11-title longlist, the competition now moves to the next phase, with a shortlist of three expected in August and the winner to be announced in October.
Sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of $100,000 for the author of the winning book.
Now in its 22nd year, the prize rotates annually across four genres – prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature – with the 2026 edition devoted to poetry.
The Rivers State Government has applauded the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch, for its steadfast dedication to advancing medical excellence and contributing significantly to healthcare development in the state and the country at large.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the NMA held in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, described the association as a vital partner in the quest to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Wokoma, according to a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit in his office, Julian Masi, noted that the NMA’s sustained advocacy for professional standards and quality medical practice has continued to impact positively on the healthcare sector and national development.
He said the conference theme, “Medical Practice in Nigeria: The Past, the Present and Quo Vadis,” offers a valuable platform for stakeholders to evaluate the progress made in the health sector, examine present realities, and develop practical solutions for future challenges.
He paid tribute to Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals for their sacrifices and unwavering commitment to service despite the challenges confronting the sector.
“We deeply appreciate the immense sacrifices made daily by Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals. In the face of numerous challenges, they continue to demonstrate exceptional resilience, professionalism, dedication and commitment to saving lives. Their contributions remain critical to national development,” he said.
In her keynote address, the immediate past Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adaeze C. Oreh, called on participants to critically examine the current state of medical practice in Nigeria and explore innovative approaches that will address emerging healthcare challenges in line with the conference theme.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch, Dr. (Prof.) Annabel Ureh Oparaodu, expressed gratitude to Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his continued support for the medical profession in Rivers State.
She urged delegates to maximize the opportunities provided by the conference through active engagement and knowledge sharing.
Highlights of the event included the commissioning of the Nigerian Medical Association Doctors’ Lodge and the NMA Water Factory, initiatives designed to improve members’ welfare and promote sustainability within the association.
The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced the commencement of a nationwide digital registration of births and deaths in Rivers State under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, E-CRVS, System, using the new VitalReg platform.
Federal Commissioner, NPC, Rivers State, Prof. Itotenaan Henry Ogiri, announced said this recently during a press briefing in his Port Harcourt office.
Ogiri said the full digital registration of births and deaths took effect nationwide on July 1, 2026, and is now being implemented across Rivers’ 23 Local Government Areas as part of the Commission’s rollout in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a modern, technology-driven civil registration system,
“It reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every birth and every death occurring in our country is accurately captured through a secure, efficient and digitally enabled platform,” he said.
The Federal Commissioner noted that while Nigeria records an estimated five million births annually, coverage remains low.
“Birth registration currently stands at about 57%, while death registration is below 20% nationwide.
“These gaps underscore the urgent need for a more efficient and accessible registration system,” he stated.
To address this, he said the commission has established 4,011 functional registration centres across the 774 LGAs, with plans to expand to about 8,000 centres nationwide.
According to him, in Rivers State, structures have been put in place and personnel are working with health facilities, LGAs and community stakeholders to ensure accessibility.
Ogiri explained that the VitalReg platform offers faster registration, 24-hour access, automated data validation for accuracy, reduced paperwork and waiting time, enhanced record security, and a stronger national database to support other government information systems.
He added that the platform would integrate seamlessly with Nigeria’s national digital identity framework, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve coordination and service delivery.
“The initiative builds on the launch of the E-CRVS System and the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on CRVS by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 8, 2023.
“It also aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on digital transformation and transparency,” he said.
The NPC Commissioner stressed that success depends on partnerships and public participation and listed key collaborators as ALGON, NIMC, UNICEF and Barnksforte Technologies Limited.
“In Rivers State, we will continue to work closely with the State Government, Local Government Councils, healthcare providers, traditional institutions, religious organisations, development partners, civil society organisations and the media to ensure that no child or family is left behind,” he said.
The commissioner called on parents, guardians, healthcare workers and community leaders to ensure prompt registration of every birth and death, noting that a complete civil registration system strengthens governance and supports sustainable development.
He reassured the public that birth registration and birth notification services remain highly subsidised, though specialised administrative services such as record modification, certificate reissuance, attestations and verification will attract approved charges to support system sustainability.
Ogiri appreciated the Rivers State Government for its support, and commended NPC staff in the State, as well as development partners, LGAs, healthcare institutions, traditional and religious leaders for advancing civil registration in the state.
He also urged the media to continue to amplify the message “that every birth counts, every death matters and every Nigerian deserves a legal identity.”
“As we commence this new chapter, let us all work together to build a civil registration system that is modern, inclusive and trusted by all,” Ogiri concluded.