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Opobo/Nkoro Drums Support For Amaechi
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has again been described as servant-leader, as he received in audience, leaders, elders and people of Opobo/Nkoro in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government area of the state.
In their solidarity speeches, the Opobo/Nkoro people expressed their unfailing support for Governor Amaechi, saying any attack on him is an attack on all.
Delivering the peoples’ address, Prof. Wilson Bedford Bell-Gam said that Governor Amaechi was being politically persecuted for his belief in fairness and justice in pursuing the common cause of all Rivers people.
“As someone who is viewed by the generality of the people of Opobo/Nkoro as one of our very cherished own, we have paid more than a cursory attention to the events that have taken place and still ongoing; hatched and executed by some enemies of Rivers people with the active connivance of and empowerment by external powerful elements to, not only persecute you, but also short-change Rivers people.
“As these agents of darkness unleash their machinations, it did not take long to dawn on us that the overall objective of these enemies of our people is to destabilize and undermine your administration with a view to distracting you from the selfless and good work you are doing for the people of Rivers State. This they intend to achieve by intimidating your person with a view to diminishing your rising status as the symbol of the emancipation of the Rivers man and woman. They are aiming (but they must surely fail) to bring down your rising profile; derail your focus and reverse the train of development which you have put in motion in our state. So far, they have failed and we are in no doubt that they will continue to fail, they said.
They criticized the attempts to discredit the governor and undermine his current achievements and his victory in the recent Nigeria Governors’ Forum election, and pledged to support Governor Amaechi all the way and stand with him in his trying moments. They also kicked against the transfer of oil wells from Rivers State to other neighbouring states.
They commended him for fighting a good fight for all Rivers people, saying they endorse his actions.
The people recalled that Governor Amaechi played a leading role in getting the highest number of votes for President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2011 elections and rapped those trying to sour the good relationship between the President and the governor.
The people of Opobo/Nkoro also commended Governor Amaechi for his current achievements in the state in general but Opobo/Nkoro in particular, particularly mentioning the Opobo/Nkoro road which the Amaechi administration is constructing to link Opobo and Nkoro communities to other parts of the state.
The history of Queenstown, Opobo will not be complete without the mention of Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as the governor that initiated, processed, approved and commenced the dredging, sand-filling and shore protection of Queenstown community, which was almost going extinct.
They said they would appreciate the governor for a very long time to come. “It is our conviction that successive generations of our people will continue to appreciate the golden foot prints Your Excellency has left in the sands of time and continue to give God glory for giving you to us when He did”.
In the face of his current travails, the people urged him to continue to make God the pillar of his strength.
”Your Excellency, we are, in no doubt, that you have made the Almighty God your pillar of strength; we would like to urge you to continue to seek His face in all you do so that His grace will continue to chart your course and abide with you. Continue to remain forthright, fearless and frank; true to your character, irrespective of the magnitude and dimensions of the plot against you, your government and the people of Rivers State.
In his solidarity speech, former deputy governor during the Dr. Peter Odili administration, Sir G.T.G Toby said they were very proud of Governor Amaechi for his current accomplishments which would outlive his stay in office.
He said, “the important thing for us as Opobo/Nkoro people is that there are basic monuments on ground even after Amaechi may have left office”.
Others who made solidarity speeches included the Administrator of the Greater Port Harcourt City, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam, who described Governor Amaechi as a courageous leader. Elder Clapton Ogolo praised him for what he is doing in Opobo/Nkoro as Pastor Idatoro predicted his victory in his travails.
Responding, Governor Amaechi thanked the people for the solidarity visit.
He noted the model primary and secondary schools provided by his administration all over the state to provide quality education for the people, stressing that education is the greatest asset for the people of the state. According to him, the need for quality education and healthcare explains his administration’s huge financial expenditure in those sectors among other areas.
Amaechi said contractors for the Opobo/Nkoro road would finish by December this year as he also promised to complete the Opobo/Nkoro fish farm to provide employment opportunities for the people.
The member representing Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, in his vote of thanks, commended Governor Amaechi for receiving the people at very short notice, and said the people of Opobo/Nkoro would not betray his trust.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi