News

Police, SSS Beef Up Security Around RSUST Lecturer

Published

14 years ago

September 9, 2011

As a two-week ultimatum given to a lecturer of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Dr. Yemanain T. Puyate expires Monday next week, Rivers State Police Command, State Security Services (SSS) and the University’s Security Department say they have beefed up adequate security around the university don.

Dr. Puyate of the Department of Chemical/Petrochemical Engineering in the institution, had alleged that a gun-trotting gang broke into his office on Monday, 29th of August and handed him a two-week ultimatum to withdraw a court case he instituted against the university authority and to also free a certain Ph.D student (names withheld) who, the gang alleged the lecturer had stopped from graduating, failing which, he would be killed and the ultimatum expires in the next 72 hours.

Consequent upon the threat to his life, Dr. Puyate had written to the security department, the SSS and the Commissioner of Police in the state intimating them of the development and appealed to the security agents to come to his aid as his life is in danger.

In his complain letter to the SSS Director dated 30th August 2011 titled “Attempt to Assassinate me in my office”, the lecturer said he suspects that some evil members of staff of his department were collaborating with some members of the institution’s authority to free the said Ph.D. student who he said lied against him with the intent of sacking him from the university.

Police Public Relations Officer, Rivers State Police Command, Mr. Uguegbulam Benjamin (DSP) confirmed the assassination attempt on Dr. Puyate and explained that the said lecturer had been invited to the command headquarters where he gave useful details and also said that the police was on top of the issue adding that security around Dr. Puyate had been beefed up.

He also told our reporter that investigation on the matter was on with the aim of arresting the gangsters.

Meanwhile, Dr. Puyate had sort for interim injunction from a Port Harcourt High Court (Suit No. PHC/1581/2011) restraining authorities of RSUST and its agents from implementing a letter of reprimand against him.

He urged the court to also quash the Defendant’s (RSUST authority) letter of reprimand dated 13th April 2011 which he said was malicious, unconstitutional and against natural justice.

In his statement of claims, Dr. Puyate had amongst other things stated that the reprimand letter was sequel to an investigative panel set upon him over alleged extortion from students in his department.

But a letter signed by 105 final year students of Petroleum Engineering (2008-2010) session which copy were made available to The Tide exonerated Dr. Puyate as according to the letter, the money in question was voluntarily collected by the students to cater for the logistics, accommodation and feeding of an external examiner who had refused to examine their projects because the examiner rejected the amount stipulated by the school authority.

The students letter further explained that they had only few days to conclude and would not want the issue of external examiner to hold them down. The students maintained that Dr. Puyate had nothing to do with the money in question.

Chris Oluoh

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

5 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

5 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.

Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

5 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.