News

Will-Making RSG Plans State Wide Campaign

Published

16 years ago

March 17, 2010

To frontally address increasing cases of intra and inter-family quarrels over administration of estates upon death of the principals, the Rivers State Ministry of Justice is to launch an aggressive public enlightenment campaign in the 23 local government areas of the state.

The state Solicitor-General and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice, Dame Mina Benebo made this known in Port Harcourt, yesterday, recounting success of the ministry’s edition of the campaign launched last week Friday.

Mrs Benebo said it had become very important to enlighten members of the pubic on the advantage of making a will and choosing the right kind of next of kin, saying it was the surest security and stability anyone can bequeath to family particularly, spouses and children.

She decried the apparent phobia for will-making in most African cultures, saying the act of making a will did not necessarily imply pre-knowledge of one’s death, but an insurance against the unforeseen, because “death as a necessary end will come when it will come”

Dame Benebo said the task of convincing Nigerians on the advantage of will making could be tasking but beneficial to families, a reason which she gave for planning the series of talks and seminars necessary to equip staff of the ministry.

The Tide recalled that the ministry’s edition which took place last Friday had contributions by experts in various fields.

The Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ken Chikere in his remarks stated that the programme was to enlighten staff of the Ministry on the activities and functions of various departments in the Ministry.

He urged all staff to see the public enlightenment as an opportunity to learn as no knowledge was lost.

He enjoined law officers and other staff of the Ministry to educate others and encourage them to make wills while they are alive.

Four departments in the Ministry made presentations, the Department of Estate Administration and Public Trustee, The Office of the Public Defender,

The Directorate for Citizens Rights and the Department of Environment and Ecology.

The Director of Estate Administration and Public Trustee, Mrs. E. P. Kingson in her presentation on “Will-Making and appointment of Next-of-Kin” urged the public to choose wisely. Other presentations were made by the office of the Public Defender. The Director, Mrs. Esther Joe in her presentation on the “functions of the Office of the Public Defender” stated that Police bail is free and people may report to the office of the Public Defender through the office of the Attorney-General where there is demand for money before Police bail is granted.

The Director, Directorate for Citizens Rights, represented by Mrs. Mma Agetua also spoke on the benefits of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism, while the Department of Environment presented a paper titled “Environmental Law and Compliance”. The Director, Miss Queen Godwill, stated that everyone should be a vanguard for the environment. She said we should use the environment in such a way that generations yet unborn may still benefit from it.

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.