News

Diete-Spiff Heads INC Reconciliation Panel

Published

9 years ago

July 3, 2017

The Bayelsa State Governor, Hon Henry Seriake Dickson, has waded into the crisis rocking the Ijaw National Council (INC) by assembling leaders of thought in the Ijaw nation to request their assistance and support to help in resolving the issues affecting the Ijaw ethnic nationality.
At the end of the meeting which lasted several hours in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, Dickson, inaugurated a 20-member Ijaw National Reconciliation Committee (INRC), with the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff as chairman while the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, is to serve as vice chairman.
The governor also appointed activist, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, as the secretary of the committee, which also has Gen. John Yeri (rtd) and Senator Inatimi Rufus-Spiff as members.
The other members are Gen. Cletus Emein (rtd), Dr. Amba Ambaowei, Prof. Kimse Okoko, Prof. Ayibaemi Spiff, Chief Francis Doukpolagha, Prof. Nimi Briggs, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, Arch. I.E.I Ette and Mrs Rose Obuoforibo.
The rest are Dr. Silas Eneyo, Chief Joshua Fumudoh, Wing Comdr. P.Y. Biakpara (rtd), High Chief Francis J. Williams, Prof. Christopher Deme and Barr. Felicia Ajagu.
Dickson, while inaugurating the committee, said “all is not well” as the conflicts and disagreements arising from individual interests have led to the polarisation of the Ijaw nation.
Dickson stated that, a house divided against itself cannot stand and, therefore, emphasised that the time had come to fashion out ways to holistically address all the challenges, particularly those that are internal.
He said, “a number of things are not right about us, about our zone, and also the contradiction in our nation. And, in all of these, our people must develop a coherent approach as to how we can resolve these issues and move forward.
“Interestingly, you all are not new to these challenges. All of you have been saddled in one form of responsibility or the other, and you have always fought to protect the Ijaw national interest”.
Dickson admitted that, disagreements are normal within a family or organisation, but argued that the end point must be to arrive at an acceptable position that will satisfy the yearnings of all parties.
For the INC, he lamented the lingering leadership crisis, which he said has weakened the agitation of the Ijaw nation, using that platform, and charged the committee to work within six terms of reference to chart a way forward.
He described the INC as a unique organisation with so much hope and promise, which some of the leaders have laboured so hard to keep, and wondered why drastic steps should not be taken to make it bounce back to national reckoning.
Just as he intervened and resolved the crisis in the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Dickson, who gave the elders and leaders a two-week provisional time to come up with a document, said they can replicate same in the INC and the Ijaw nation at large.
Dickson expressed optimism that at the end of the crucial assignment, the Ijaw nation will bounce back and put to shame, those who think they will remain in disarray forever.
“We may be down, but by the time the leaders will be through with their work, it will be very clear that we were only down, but not out”, he added.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of theý Ijaw National Reconciliation Committee (INRC) and Amayanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff commended the governor for his timely intervention, and assured him that they will work to ensure that everyone and group are reconciled.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.