News

Jonathan Expresses Nigeria’s Commitment To AU Objectives

Published

16 years ago

July 26, 2010

President Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that Nigeria remained committed to the strategic objectives of the African Union.

Jonathan, who is attending the AU summit for the first time as President, gave the assurance while addressing the 15th African Union Ordinary Summit in Kampala.

He said that Nigeria would pursue and ensure the realisation of all programmes of action and the instruments of the AU.

Jonathan also used the occasion to condemn the July 11 terror attacks on an Ethiopian restaurant in Kampala in which 76 people were killed and 65 others injured.

He extolled the virtues of the late President Umaru Yar’Adua whom he called “my brother”.

“His demise remains a great loss to Nigeria and the continent, because of his love for justice and rule of law which AU stands for.

Jonathan also used the occasion to congratulate the South African government for the successful hosting of the 2010 World Cup.

Earlier, before the summit began, two minutes silence was observed for the late Yar’Adua and those killed in the July 11, terror attacks in Kampala.

In his address of welcome, President Yoweri Museveni called on the AU to condemn in strongest terms the activities of Al-Shabbab in Somalia.

“I reject in totality the new form of colonialism through terrorism.

“The AU should not accept anyone who has no respect for the union. Who are they? Who they represent?”

“Attacking AU combatants, manipulating and using children as canon fodder?, Let us rise in consonance and get them out of Africa,”

Museveni said.

He called on the AU not to depend solely on foreign loans for the development of infrastructures in Africa.

Speaking on the theme of the summit: Maternal, Infant and Child health and development in Africa, Museveni also said that Uganda had made considerable progress in obstetric care.

He said that Uganda has advocated for improved maternal and newborn health.

This method, he said, was in covering 54 districts and 553 health facilities and assessing the availability of trained midwives and doctors in child births.

The Summit tagged “Kampala 2010’’ is expected to focus on action plan to reduce mother and child mortality and take decisive and implementable actions to improve on maternal, infant and child health.

Thirty five leaders are attending the summit out of the 43 that indicated their intentions to attend.

The Summit is also expected to consider, among other continental issues, the proposal by the Libyan leader, Muammar Gaddafi for the transformation of the AU into an African Union Authority (AUA).

It will be recalled that the 13th Ordinary Session of the AU held in July 2009 in Sirte, Libya brainstormed on issues related to the Union Government that culminated in a consensus to establish AUA to replace the African Union Commission.

Gaddafi, the then Chairperson of the AU and the proponent, contended that the transformation would bring stability to Africa as the continent would be speaking with one voice, defending common position in international negotiations.

The Summit is also expected to consider the African common position on the reform of the United Nations (UN) Security Council for full representation of Africa in all the decision making organs of the UN.

Tagged the “Ezulwini Consensus’’ on the Security Council, it was agreed that full representation of Africa in the Security Council means not less than two permanent seats with all prerogatives and privileges of permanent membership and five non-permanent seats.

The gathering of all heads of government from all the 52 AU member nations will also consider its earlier decision to put a definitive end to the scourge of unconstitutional changes of government in member nations.

The scourge the leaders consider as undermining the progress achieved in the on-going democratisation processes in the continent and constitutes a threat to peace and security in Africa.

In addition, the Summit will review its efforts on the Tripoli Declaration on the elimination of conflicts in Africa and the promotion of sustainable peace as well as the proclamation of 2010 as the Year of Peace and Security in Africa.

Other issues for considerations at the Summit are the integration of NEPAD into AU structures and processes, the Africa-Arab cooperation for food security in the continent, climate change and the implementation of the AU border programme.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.