News
RSG Begins Reconstruction Of School In Amaechi’s Village …Seizes Private Property In School Premises
In a move to take education to rural communities of Rivers State, Governor Nyesom Wike last Saturday flagged off the reconstruction of Community Secondary School, Ubima in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The school sited in the village of former Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi had been abandoned for several years without any form of upgrade.
Performing the flag-off, Wike recalled how the former Rivers State Governor stopped the rehabilitation of the school in 2014.
He said: “As the Minister of State for Education, I tried to intervene and rehabilitate this school. But the former Rivers State Governor drove away the contractors on the ground that the Federal Government cannot intervene in a school in the state.
“But God’s time has come. As governor, I now have the opportunity to turn around the fortunes of this school. I also call on the Federal Government to intervene in projects in this state, even though, I know they will never do so”, the governor said.
Wike said that the reconstruction of the Community Secondary School, Ubima will be completed in five months, as the funds have been deposited in the account of the state Ministry of Education.
The governor charged the people of Ubima to work with the contractors for the scheduled delivery of the project.
He explained that the state government was tackling the security challenge in Ubima by checking the excesses of kidnappers and cultists in the community.
Wike announced the process for the revival of electricity in Ubima, with the donation of a transformer.
He directed the Commissioner for Health, Prof Princewill Chike to commence the process for the rehabilitation of General Hospital, Ubima, while he stated that the road leading to the Community Secondary School, Ubima will be constructed.
Also speaking, the former Rivers State governor, Sir Celestine Omehia thanked Wike for remembering Ubima, which was forgotten by Amaechi, an indigene of the community.
Omehia said that Wike has made history by his decision to reconstruct the Community Secondary School, which was built through communal effort in 1980.
Former Chairman of the Governing Council of Kaduna Polytechnic, Chief Sergeant Awuse regretted that the ex-governor of Rivers State would exhibit so much hatred for his people.
Awuse wondered why President Muhammadu Buhari was harbouring Amaechi, who has no political relevance, aside the sponsorship of violence in the area.
Senator George Thompson Sekibo praised Wike for taking development to Ubima, even when their own son neglected them.
Rivers State Education Commissioner, Dr Taminosisi Gogo-Jaja said that new facilities such as administrative block, modern classrooms, laboratories, hostels and staff quarters would be built as part of the reconstruction efforts of the government.
Meanwhile, government’s hammer has finally hit some persons encroaching on public school land as the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, last Friday, declared all buildings in the premises of Western Ahoada County High School, as government property.
The governor announced this during the flag-off of upgrading/remodelling/reconstruction of Western Ahoada County High School in Ahoada-East Local Government Area of the state.
The governor directed the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja to immediately commence the fencing of the entire school premises, and challenged those who developed properties in the school to go to court.
He equally appealed to parents in Ekpeye land to warn their children to stop forthwith from harassing or disturbing the contractors doing work in the school compound as the state government would deal decisively with anyone caught in the act.
Wike, who expressed disappointment that in spite of efforts by the government to turn around the fortunes of the school, said some direct beneficiaries of government’s gesture from the area were rather frustrating the plan, and stressed the determination of his administration to reconstruct the school.
The governor said the flag-off ceremony was in fulfilment of his promise to the people, and disclosed that the fund for the project has been set aside.
“I’m committed to keeping our promises to the Ekpeye kingdom. The fund for the rehabilitation of this school has been set aside”, the governor said.
Wike explained that the remodelling of the school was part of his administration’s effort of bringing back boarding system, and urged the people of the area to support the contractors handling the job to complete the project within scheduled time.
Also speaking, Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja, while giving description of the project, said it has four hostels, new well-equipped classroom blocks, administration block, various laboratories, sick bay and council lounge, among other modern facilities.
The Eze Igbu-Upata 111, Dr Felix Otuwarikpo lauded the governor for keeping to his promise to the people of Ahoada-East Local Government Area.
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
