News

‘Rivers To Overtake Lagos As Investors’ Haven’

Published

9 years ago

February 13, 2017

Rivers State Governor,Chief Nyesom Wike, says soon the will overtake Lagos as haven for investment. He also restated the commitment of his administration to the promotion of a business friendly environment for the sustained growth of the state’s economy.
He made the disclosure while hosting Norway Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr Jen Peter Klugner at Government House, Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Wike noted that the state is peaceful and conducive for business as against claims by the opposition to blackmail the administration and drive away investors.
Part of the scheme to put the state ahead he submitted is to grant tax holidays to new businesses,reasoning that such measure will not reduce unemployment but attract more investors to come.
He said maritime and agriculture remain key areas in which the two countries can work together to develop in providing opportunities.
The governor used the visit to seek the location of the country’s visa office in Port Harcourt to reduce difficulties faced by the people in obtaining travel documents in Lagos and Abuja.
On his part, the Norwegian envoy recalled that relations between the state and his country is underscored by the presence of over 40 Norwegian companies operating in Rivers.
He recalled that the ties between Nigeria and Norway dates back to the period of boom of stork fish business and promised to asist in the development of maritime and human capital sectors.
Meanwhile, Chief Wike has commissioned the Land Ship MV “Rivers Pride” built by Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The governor assured that his administration will promote policies that would encourage businessmen to invest in the state.
He also laid the foundation stone for the construction of an accommodation block for 200 cadets and announced that the state government has waived the fee for the certificate of occupancy for the Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre.
He noted that investors will have their land documents speedily processed to ensure that they quickly add value to the state.
The governor said: “Rivers State will continue to be great. We are reforming our business processes to enhance our business climate and increase employment opportunities.
“We are making the environment friendly for businesses to thrive. I commend the Chief Executive Officer of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre, Sir Charles Kinikanwo Wami for this outstanding investment in the state. We are happy that an indigene of this state has faith in this state through this multi-billion investment”.
He urged multinationals to create opportunities for the indigenes of the state as prominent management staff. He said that Rivers people have the capacity to deliver quality service.
In his remarks, Chief Executive Officer of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre, Sir Charles Kinikanwo Wami said that the organisation has grown substantially over the years, as it now has over 53 oil and gas short courses, over 20 international STCW courses and 6 other marine courses.
He said: “We are proud to say that over the past 16years, while other institutions are moving away from the state, we have kept ourselves rooted here providing accessible and affordable training for seafarers in Rivers State “
Also speaking, Norway Ambassador to Nigeria, Jens-Petter Kjemprud expressed satisfaction at the contribution of Charkin Maritime and Offshore Safety Centre to the training of Seafarers.
Highpoint of the occasion was the inspection of the training facilities of the institution by Governor Wike and other dignitaries.

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.