News

Wike Names New Works Commissioner

Published

10 years ago

May 11, 2016

Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Hon Isaac Kamalu (3rd right), with Chief, UNICEF Field Office, Port Harcourt, Mr Wilbroad Ngambi (2nd right), Chief, UNICEF Field Office, Enugu, Mr Charles Nzuki (3rd left), UNICEF Officer in charge of Media and External Affairs, Mrs Ijeoma Ogwe (right), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, Mr Felix O. Odungweru (2nd left) and Director, Planning/Programme Manager, UNICEF-Asstd PME, Mr Ikpe G. O, during a courtesy visit by UNICEF team to the commissioner in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has appointed Bethel Iheanyichuku as the new Commissioner for Works with immediate effect. This followed the sack of Engr Kevin Wachukwu.
Swearing-in the new commissioner, Wike took a swipe at Wachukwu, accusing him of laxity and negligence of duty.
The governor explained that his administration will not tolerate complacency as he was determined to develop Rivers State, in spite of all the odds.
According to him, “I have a covenant with the people of Rivers state to develop this state. And anybody that is going to work with me must work at my speed and not at his or her own speed.
“Nobody should come and drag me back like the former commissioner. If you are handling any project, you should be the one to brief me, and not me briefing you,” Wike said.
The governor further charged the new works commissioner to always be on the road supervising projects and reporting progress of work at all times.
He said: “The former works commissioner is intelligent, but he could not meet up with the pace of work at the ministry. Take your work very seriously. There should be no compromise.
“The day you misinform me on the status of projects, will be the day you will be sacked. The day you begin to use your office to form rings, will be the day you will lose out”.
The Tide reports that the Rivers State House of Assembly had earlier screened and confirmed Iheanyichuku as a commissioner-designate.
His screening followed a request by the state governor.
The Tide reports that the new commissioner for works hails from Ogbogoro in the Akpor area of Obio-Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a separate development, Governor Wike also sworn-in 17 Local Government Caretaker Committee chairmen with the task to liaise with security agencies with a view to improving security situation in their areas.
The state governor also tasked them to pay salaries of staffers before anything else.
The Tide gathered that in addition o the 17 earlier secreened by the State House of Assembly more would be sworn in later after screening.
He said under no circumstance should caretaker chairmen deduct their security votes before paying salaries.
Wike further directed the caretaker council chairmen to ensure they improved sanitation in their respective areas.
He particularly charged the chairmen of Port Harcourt, Obio/Akpor, Eleme, and Ikwerre local government areas to improve on environmental sanitation.
The Tide recalls that barely one month after the dissolution of the 23 local government caretaker committees by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, the state House of Assembly, had last Monday, unanimously confirmed the appointment of caretaker committee chairmen for 17 local governments of the state.
Their confirmation follows the submission of the request by the state governor to the Assembly to confirm the caretaker committee chairmen.
The Speaker of the House, Mr Adams Dabotorudima, has said that the confirmation was imperative for administrative efficiency in the third tier of government.
Adams said that the local government administration was necessary for the development of the rural communities.
The CTC chairmen are Michael Amadi (Etche), Sunny Ejekwu (PHALGA), Samuel Nwanosike (Ikwerre), Oye Igenewari (Abua/Odual), Britain Ewor (Ahoada East), Rowland Sekibo (Akuku Toru), Kangban Offings (Andoni), Charles Jumbo (Bonny), Johnson Wogu (Eleme), John Wokoma (Emohua), and Prince Collins Onunwo (Obio/Akpor).
The rest are Prince Isaac Emerunu (Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni), Titus Wakama (Ogu/Bolo), Bibigoka Jackbara (Okrika), Uchenna Akowa (Oyigbo), Stanley Eze Wuju (Omuma), and Parkins Kelu (Tai).

Kevin Nengia , Enoch Epelle & Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

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.