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Ogonis Provide Relief Materials To Orashi People
Moved by the plight of communities ravaged by floods in Rivers State, the people of Ogoni kingdom have provided relief materials to the Orashi region communities in Ahoada-East, Abua/Odual and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni and Ahoada-West Local Government Areas.
The relief materials made up of several bags of rice, garri, cooking oil and yam were presented by the President of the Supreme Council of Ogoni Traditional Rulers, King Godwin Giniwa to Chairman of Ahaoda-West, Hon. Awori Miller on behalf of the four council chairmen on Wednesday at Ahaoda -East council secretariat.
King Giniwa who is also the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers said the gesture is to show brotherly love to the Orashi people who were devastated by floods about a month ago.
In the words of Giniwa, ” Our people say once your brother is in trouble, you will look for your brother. Somebody must beyour brother and the Orashi people are the brothers of the Ogoni people. We are so sorry we have to sympathise with you for what has happened to you”.
The Ogoni traditional ruler disclosed that decision to reach out to their Orashi brothers was reached at a meeting of the Ogoni people recently adding, ” silver and gold we have not but here we are, whatever we have it is not the things we brought, but the sympathy we have for our brothers of the Orashi region”.
Giniwa noted that the delegation covers representatives from the four local governments in Ogoni land namely- Tai, Khana,Gokana and Eleme.
A woman leader from Ogoni and President of CatholicWomen Association in Rivers State, Mrs. Priscillia Vikue lamented the hardship women and children from the Orashi region have gone through during the course of the three month flood.
She said ” We are women fron Ogoniland and today we are here whenever there is as a crisis it is the women and children that suffer mostly…We are here because Ogoni men and women cried with you when you were crying and we are here in person to commisearate with you”.
Mrs. Vikue thanked the Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi for providing relief material to flood victims in the state and appealed to the Federal Government to step up action and build houses for women who lost their homes.
Responding, Chairman of Ahoada-West, Hon. Awori Miller expressed deep appreciation by the love shown by the Ogoni people, ” Iam speaking on behalf of the Orashi people…We thank you because all through the period of the flood we have records of those who identified with us during the time of our travail, during the time of our distress, during the time of our suffering.”
The Ahaoda-west Chairman maintained that the gesture has lifted the spirit of the people especially during this christmas period, ” we want to thank you, we want to appreciate you and we assure you that we will ensure that these things go down to the grassroots” he added.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene