News
Amaechi, Best For Me – Tukur
The National Chairman of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur has described the Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF), Rt Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi as the best for him, considering his excellent, fantastic performance and achievements in the State and the numerous people-oriented projects embarked upon by his administration.
Tukur spoke last Saturday in an interview with newsmen after inspecting projects including the new world-class Kelsey Harrison Hospital and the ultra- modern state-of-the-art Maxillo-Facial Dental Hospital built by the Amaechi-led administration in Port Harcourt. Earlier last Friday, he had seen the Port Harcourt-Owerri road, a 42 kilometre federal road done by the Amaechi administration, the new model primary and secondary schools, one of the over 120 new Health Centres, Songhai Farm in Tai, Afam Power project, Obiri-Ikwerre Interchange on the East –West road, and the over 38,000-seater new stadium being constructed in the Greater Port Harcourt city.
He said, with the level of social and economic transformation in the state, Port Harcourt is now in the list of developed cities of the world.
Tukur also explained that basic developmental projects in the area of road, infrastructure and transportation, education, health and economic transformation “have become a glaring programme people can see in the heart of the nation, as efforts have been directed and focused on fantastic development and achievements by the Amaechi administration”.
“What I mean by a developed state in the comity of nations is when you can see education being transformed, health, infrastructure are given priority and whatever things(infrastructure) developed countries can be proud of, we also have them in Rivers State”, Tukur said.
Explaining further, Tukur said, “God has given us land, water and people, and if you take our people and give them education, a secured environment and sustainability, so that things can keep revolving and evolving, making it a continuous process that state or nation becomes a developed nation, but without mincing words, since Friday, when I arrived Port Harcourt at noon, I have been inspecting one project or the other till this morning (Saturday). It is very difficult to praise your son because he’s (Amaechi) the best for me”, he added.
Speaking at a dinner party held in his honour at Government House on Friday night, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur declared that, PDP will never lose to any party, if transformational leaders like Governor Amaechi are boldly behind the party.
“Believe you me, PDP will never lose to any party, if people like Governor Amaechi stand boldly behind us, we will win and continue to win in any election. Support your governor, Rt Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, support our party, then be sure to win your elections”, Tukur said.
“What I have seen today gave me hope, I saw first of all the development of the educational sector and I want to say education is key, the laboratory facilities in the new model schools and the ICT facilities will indeed spur the students to major in science subjects, thank you Amaechi for doing this. But the whole of these projects need sustainability, continue to aim at your target to achieve your goals and vision.”
The National Chairman of the PDP also urged party faithful to always embrace peace and reconcile differences to achieve set targets for the party.
On his part, Amaechi assured Tukur that PDP Governors will support and remain loyal to the party at all times, urging him to always lead the party to victory.
“We assure you that Governors will support and remain loyal to the party, we need each other at such a challenging moment. Lead us to victory and it is important that we don’t take ourselves for granted, so that we will continue to lead ourselves and the party to victory”, Amaechi said.
“The PDP Governors will do everything necessary to ensure that they deliver to the people, you are one man from the private sector that has come to the public sector and you came with the experience of the private sector and I commend you for your sacrifice and wish to recall one of the things you told me, ‘young man, I am here to help you people,’ I will ask you to extend that help so that the party will move forward”, Amaechi explained.
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.