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Rivers Agog As Wike Returns With ‘Power Of Sports’ Award …Gov Stops Over At Project Sites …Again Warns Against Street Trading …NUJ Hails Gov On Award
Rivers people yesterday trooped to the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa to celebrate Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike as he returned with the “Power of Sports” Award.
The International Sports Press Association-Africa (AIPS) Africa had conferred the Power of Sports Award in a ceremony last Wednesday in Belgium witnessed by sports journalists from 108 countries.
Accompanied by his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike and Rivers State PDP Chairman, Bro Felix Obuah, Wike returned to the love and support of Rivers people who sang his praises for doing the state proud.
Defying the heavy rains, Rivers people declared their unflinching support for the governor in his commitment to change the fortunes of the state.
Wike said that the award would only spur him to further dedicate himself to the construction of a New Rivers State, adding that investments of his administration would earn the state global acclaim.
He reiterated that the state’s investments in sports, especially the Real Madrid Football Academy was to empower youth with the right footballing skills and education to conquer the world.
The construction of the Real Madrid Football Academy would be flagged off on May 28, 2018 in an international event in Port Harcourt.
Wike said: “I wish to reiterate our resolve to continue to tap the benefits of sport to advance social cohesion, peace and progress in Rivers State.”
Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Engr Emeka Woke, who welcomed the Rivers State governor alongside other Rivers people, said that the state has transformed into an international reference point because of the outstanding developmental strides of the Governor.
Meanwhile, Governor Wike on his return from Brussel yesterday appealed to street traders to desist from displaying their wares on major roads.
Governor Wike also described as unfortunate the attack of Government Officials restoring sanity on the roads by hoodlums at the Slaughter Market in Port Harcourt. .
He gave the management of the market two days to produce the hoodlums or face sanctions.
He said that nobody will be allowed to disrupt the development process of the state, under any guise.
The govenor spoke with the traders during his inspection visits to project sites on Thursday after returning Brussels where he was honoured with the Power of Sports Award by the International Sports Press Association Africa.
He said that apart from the fact that the traders damage portions of the roads recently constructed and deface the roads, street trading poses danger to the traders who are susceptible to accidents.
He urged the traders to move into different markets across Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas constructed for business activities.
He said: “Please don’t trade on the streets. What you are doing damage and deface the roads. My plea is that you go into the markets for your safety and the aesthetics of the city.”
Governor Wike said that the state government will take sustained measures to check illegal street trading, hence his personal involvement with the sensitization of traders.
He added that the meshed wires fences are beings installed on roads in areas prone to street trading to keep the traders off the roads.
“As we are working on these roads, everyone is happy. We will not allow street traders destroy the beauty of the city”, he said.
During the inspection yesterday, Governor Wike visited National Industrial Court, Mother and Child Hospital, Restaurants and Cinema, Port Harcourt Pleasure Park, Court of Appeal, Port Harcourt, Judges Quarters, Slaughter Road, Reconstruction of Government Offices at Mile One Fly Over,Traditional Rulers Secretariat, Land Reclamation at Ogbunabali/Nkpogu, Oil Mill-Elelenwo-Akpajo Road, Abacha Road, Mgboshimini Primary Health Care , Doctors Quarters among other projects.
Governor Wike said that intense projects inspection will continue ahead of the third year anniversary.
Majority of the projects visited by Governor Wike will be commissioned during the administration’s third year anniversary.
Governor Wike expressed satisfaction with the quality of work done at the project sites, emphasising that the joy of Rivers people at the execution of projects is a motivation.
In a related development, the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) has congratulated the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike on the conferment of Africa ‘Power of Sports’ award on him by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) in Brussels, Belgium.
The NUJ, in a statement signed by its Acting Chairman, Uche Agbam and Acting Secretary, Anayo Onukwugha, described the award as well deserved, considering the governor’s contributions to the development of sports in Nigeria, and Africa in general.
The union said the recent hosting of the African Wrestling Championship in Port Harcourt as well as the renovation of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex were some of the feats achieved by the governor in the area of sports development.
“We are not surprised that AIPS conferred this revered award on Governor Nyesom Wike. The governor is the first African to be conferred with the ‘Power of Sports’ award. We believe that the governor’s immense contributions to sports development in Nigeria, and Africa in general, attracted the award.
“Recently, Rivers State hosted the whole of Africa in the African Wrestling Championship. Also, the renovation of the Alfred Diete-Spiff Sports Complex is another eloquent testimony of Governor Wike’s commitment to the development of sports,” the union added.
Meanwhile, the international sports journalists, last Wednesday, in Brussels, Belgium, honoured Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike with the ‘Power of Sports’ award.
He was nominated by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS), Africa.
Witnessed by sports personalities and journalists from across the globe, the award to the governor was for his remarkable fidelity in raising the bar of sports matters and using sports as a catalyst for development.
The event took place at Le Plaza, Brussels and the presentation of the award was performed by the President, AIPS, Mr Gianni Merlo and President, AIPS Africa, Mr Mitchell Obi in the presence distinguished sports journalists from 108 countries.
Presenting the award to the Rivers State governor, President AIPS Africa, Mitchell Obi said Wike was being recognised for the use of sports as a tool to effectively engage the youth population in the continent.
He urged Wike to sustain his commitment to sports development as more youth would be empowered in the state.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled plans to permanently relocate the dumpsite along the busy Port Harcourt Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road, describing the current location as both a public health threat and a damaging first impression for visitors arriving in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
The Governor made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of a proposed replacement site, which is a disused burrow pit near Bambo Estate, off Eneka Road in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The location is being assessed as a potential permanent dumpsite for the State.
Governor Fubara, who was conducted by the Board Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr Samuel Nwanosike, and its Managing Director, Dr Ibimina Wokoma, expressed concern about the environmental and health challenges posed by the existing site, which sits along a major entry point into the State.
“The kind of environmental hazards that we are facing there along the Airport–Obiri- Ikwerre Road; the smell on that road being the entrance into the State, we felt it’s not proper,” he said. “So, we are making alternative arrangements so we can have a permanent refuse dumpsite that meets acceptable standards.
“He added that the government would move swiftly to formalise ownership of the land and complete construction work on the access road to make the new site functional.“We have not concluded the issue of the burrow pit, but the access road, I think the government is doing something about it.
So, I will make sure that everything that needs to be done to ensure government owns this burrow pit is done,” he stated.
Governor Fubara also commended the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) for what he described as a more assertive and improved approach to managing refuse across the State.In addition to the dumpsite inspection, the Governor also visited the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters located in Elimgbu Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to assess the extent of ongoing construction work on the facility.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Benibo Anabraba, to uphold the dignity of his office, protect the interest of the State, and discharge his duties with honour, respect, and responsibility.
Governor Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the new SSG, held on Monday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
Describing Anabraba’s appointment as an act of divine favour, the Governor said positions of leadership are not attained by our own human effort but by God’s grace in our lives.
“Let me first congratulate you. I’m using the word ‘congratulations’ because a few of us, not by our power but by the special favour of God, find ourselves in exalted positions. It’s not because we are the best, but only by His grace.”
Governor Fubara noted that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government is one of great honour, occupied by only a few since the creation of Rivers State, and urged the new appointee to serve with humility and dedication.
He, however, expressed confidence in Anabraba’s capacity to deliver, citing his past record as a principal officer of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“This position is a rare privilege. Guard that office with honour. Discharge your duties with respect. Protect the interest of Rivers State. When you leave office, let it be with honour, and that only comes through responsible service.
“I know you’re a dedicated person. This opportunity is not for show or display of power. It’s a call to duty,” he cautioned.
The Governor emphasised that the current administration is focused on restoring confidence of the people because peace has been achieved in the State.
He enjoined the new SSG to align with the vision of the administration and contribute meaningfully to the collective progress of Rivers people.
“We are emerging from a very difficult period and must reassure our people that we mean well for them, especially now that peace has returned to Rivers State. By the grace of God, do your work well. Help us succeed in this assignment that God has given to us,” the Governor added.
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Nigeria’s First Lady Flags Off Renewed Hope Health Initiative In Rivers …Targets Measles, Rubella, HPV Vaccination For Children, Women
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated her commitment to expanding vaccine coverage nationwide, declaring that the ongoing Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign in Rivers State will surpass all previous records in scope and success.
Speaking through the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Senator Tinubu made this statement during the flag-off ceremony of the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Vaccine Sensitisation Campaign, organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
The campaign, implemented by the RHI in collaboration with the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, C-WINS, and international partners including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and Vaccine Alliance, aims to protect millions of children and women from preventable diseases.
“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the measles vaccine coverage achieved through this campaign exceeds that of the past,” Senator Tinubu affirmed. “Through technical and financial support, this partnership will ensure that by February, 2026, well-trained staff are deployed across communities to vaccinate all eligible children.”
Rivers State is among the Fourth Stream of Phase One states participating in Africa’s largest-ever health initiative, targeting over 106 million Nigerian children for vaccination against Measles, Rubella, Polio, and HPV. The local rollout is expected to commence in February, 2026, reaching children aged 9 months to 14 years across all 23 local government areas.
Senator Tinubu highlighted the risks of the targeted diseases, describing Measles and Rubella as “highly contagious and potentially deadly,” noting that Rubella can cause severe complications for unborn babies, if contracted by pregnant women.
“The best way to prevent both diseases remains vaccination,” she emphasised.
Narrowing down to efforts by the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the State Task Force on Primary Healthcare, led by Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, she noted how instrumental it has been in ensuring comprehensive outreach through an inter-sectoral approach involving education, women affairs, information ministries, traditional and religious leaders, and the security sector.
Senator Tinubu urged parents and caregivers to cooperate fully with health workers.
“The Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and free in all our health centres. Please, ensure your children are vaccinated at the right time to protect them from these deadly infections.
“Let us all play our part in spreading awareness. Together, we can safeguard the health and future of our children,” she said, before formally declaring the sensitisation programme open.
In her goodwill message, Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for its sustained impact in Rivers State, noting that the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Sensitisation Programme marks “a significant step in promoting public health awareness, particularly among women and children.”
She highlighted the particular benefit to the girl-child through HPV vaccination, calling it “an investment in their future health and empowerment.”
The Rivers State Coordinator of WHO, Prof. Giwa Abdulganiyu, praised the collaboration between RHI and the State Government, describing the campaign as “a worthy step in the right direction,” and reaffirmed WHO’s continued partnership in achieving health for all.
Earlier, the RHI Rivers State Coordinator, Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, welcomed guests, and reaffirmed the initiative’s goal of reducing the incidence of Measles and Rubella in the state.
“These diseases have the potential to cause emergencies and great distress in families. Today’s flag-off represents our collective determination to raise awareness and prevent such tragedies,” she added.