News

Desist From Crime, RSHA Warns Hoodlums, Kidnappers …As New Bill On Violence, Kidnapping Reaches C’ttee Stage

Published

7 years ago

July 17, 2019

Worried over the spate of violence recorded in the state in recent times, the Rivers State House of Assembly has warned hoodlums and kidnappers threatening the peace of the state to desist and turn a new leaf.
The Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Ikuinyi-Owaji Ibani gave the warning during yesterday’s plenary of the House, as he reiterated the resolve of the Governor Nyesom Wike administration to protect lives and property of citizens.
Ibani said the only way to attract development and democracy dividends was for peace, and tranquility to reign, stressing that current scenario can drive investors away and threaten the economy.
“I, therefore, admonish all those involved in such acts to turn a new leaf and have a change of heart. This government is doing enough to protect lives and property for us to have a thriving economy”.
He assured the citizens that soon all that was happening would be a thing of the past, as the Assembly was doing all it could to eliminate all forms of criminality.
Consequently, the Assembly has sent the State Violence Against Persons Prohibition Amendment Bill 2019 to the committee stage.
The bill got serious debate and was thereafter moved to a five-member Ad-Hoc Committee headed by Hon. Enemi George Alabo of Asari-Toru State Constituency ll.
The speaker, who committed the bill to committee stage while relying on Order 46(5) of the House, argued that the bill would stem the tide of violence, kidnapping and all forms criminality in the state.
Specifically, he submitted that the bill was intended to protect those violated in society.
He, therefore, urged the committee to be thorough to ensure that it does not conflict with any federal law and reflects the needs of the state.
On his part, Majority Leader, Hon. Martin Amaewhule, who is a co-sponsor of the bill with Hon Sam Ogeh of Emohua, assured that the bill would reduce the rising violence and criminality in the state.
Amaewhule thanked the lawmakers for giving the bill the attention it deserves.
It would be recalled that at the first reading of the bill a month ago, it was discovered that the bill it provides serious penalties against any person who engages in any form of violence, and also provides maximum protection and effective remedy for victims.
According to the bill, the dehumanizing of any body through kidnapping, weapon or any harmful substance was liable on conviction to prison for five years and a fine of N500, 000.
Meanwhile, the International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) has hailed the bill, and said it was ready to support its quick passage.
The Chairperson of FIDA in Rivers State, Ngozi Odukwe Ighosevbe said the body would contribute its quota at the committee stage to ensure the bill was effective.

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.