News

NUJ Cautions Govt On Insecurity …Horsfall Warns Youth Against Violence

Published

12 years ago

March 21, 2014

Worried by the growing spate of insecurity in the country, the National President of the Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Mohammed Garba has urged governments at all levels to be proactive in the fight against kidnapping and general insecurity in the land.
The president gave the charge Wednesday during the ground breaking ceremony of the new secretariat building of the Rivers State Council of the NUJ at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.
The president decried the kidnapping of broadcaster and on-air personality, Anthony Akatakpo, alias Akas Baba.
Garuba, who lamented the increasing threat to the lives of journalists in the course of carrying out their duties, said the foremost responsibility of government was to protect the lives of the citizens, a task he said, should not be compromised.
The NUJ president also commended the developmental strides of the Rivers State Government, especially in the construction of brand new state-of-the-art secretariat complex for the NUJ in Rivers State.
In his remarks, the National President of Radio Television and Theatre Workers Union (RATTAWU), Dr Abel Gbamgbose, lauded the information and communications management policy of Rivers State Government, noting that Rivers State was the first to host the State Council on Information in Nigeria.
The RATTAWU boss also urged the Rivers State Government to upgrade the facilities of the state-owned media for better service delivery..
Earlier, the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mrs Ibim Semenitari had stated that the gesture of the government to build a secretariat for the NUJ was in recognition of the role of journalists in the development of the society.
Meanwhile, a former Director of the State Security Service (SSS), Chief Albert K. Horsfall has cautioned the youth in Rivers State against being used by politicians to destabilize their communities during the forth-coming general elections.
Horsfall said at a peace and security conference organized by his foundation and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, that rather than taking guns from politicians to kill their people, the youth should ask for education and jobs from politicians.
He warned that Rivers State must never be allowed to descend to the pre-2007 period when anarchy was let loose in the state.
Horsfall, who attributed some of the crisis in the state to the refusal of people to tell the truth, said the time has come for Rivers people to stand up to challenge those who threaten the peace and stability of the state, stressing that having suffered so much in the past, the state deserves peace and tranquillity..
Horsfall said that the conference was necessitated by the need to avoid a breakdown of law and order during the forth-coming elections.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Ambassador Chukwudi D. Orike described the conference as timely in view of the present volatile nature of the state and the country.
While attributing the causes of violence to bad governance, injustice and inequality, he lamented the criminalization of politics, and stated that the lost glory of Rivers State as a peaceful state can be restored, if deliberate efforts are made to restore peace.
According to him, this can be achieved, if volunteers from the 23 local government areas work together with the A.K Horsfall Foundation to expel the forces of evil.
Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, Mr Opaka Dokubo said that the conference has provided the platform for stakeholders to talk on the peace and security of the state.
Dokubo also commended the A.K Horsfall Foundation for the support, noting that for a long time, journalists across the state have been yearning for support to advance the cause of peace in the state.

Taneh Beemene

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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.