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Rivers ’Guber: I Stand On Zoning – Amaechi

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Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has reiterated his stance on zoning the governorship seat next year to areas which have not produced the state Chief Executive.
He called on the people of Ikwerre Ethnic nationality to shelve their ambition to aspire for the governorship of Rivers State as that will be unfair to other groups in the state.
Amaechi, who declared his stance at the weekend at the one year anniversary of the Amayanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Gbobo Bob-Manuel at Abonnema, said, “For me, I will support only zone where we have agreed such candidate will come from, and I hope and pray it will not go to Ikwerre.
“As an Ikwerre mean, whether Ikwerre has population or not, they should bid farewell to the governorship for others who have not gotten. Where the governor will come from I don’t know. I’am not God. I don’t know where the next governor will come from”, Amaechi maintained.
Governor Amaechi, who responded to a speech by Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas, who had recalled that there had been a subsisting agreement on rotating the governorship – between the up land and riverine said, he was not aware of such agreement.
The Rivers State Chief Executive, however, said “I was too young, I wasn’t in that meeting. If it’s zoning , I agree with zoning but where it will be zoned, I don’t know”.
Nonetheless, he said that a meeting of all stakeholders will be held to agree on the zone, maintaining that any zone that has produced governor before now is ruled out.
He used the occasion to call on all Kalabari sons and daughters to join in the fight to return their ceded land and oil wells back to the state.
The governor was of the view that any Kalabari son or daughter who refuses to fight against the annexation of Soku oil Wells to Bayelsa is not from the Kingdom.
He added, “we want to see the young men stand up – for their rights. You cannot be a Kalabari man and they take your oil well, and you say they should take it. Then you are not Kalabari man, whether it’s PDP or APC”.
The Chairman of Nigerian Governor’s Forum (NGF) congratulated the Abonnema Monarch, promising that in the next one month, his stool will be elevated after due consultations in the area.
The plan to elevate the stool, Amaechi further disclosed, has been under consideration, stating that adequate consultations has to be done.
“I have almost concluded but we were thinking that if somebody else is made a first class, what happens to the stool of Amanyanabo of Kalabari?”
Earlier, Former Minster of Aviation and Chairman of the occasion, Alabo Tonye Graham-Douglas had demanded that the stool of Amayanabo of Kalabari be made “classless”, while other traditional stools in the area be re-classified.
On the governorship seat in the state, the Kalabari-born politician said “I’ts now the turn of Riverine Ijaws or the Ogonis”.
He added that “turn-by-turn” rotation of governorship still subsists, recalling that an agreement had been reached by stakeholders some years back on the matter.
Alabo Graham-Doulas lauded Governor Amaechi for his doggedness in getting back the ceded Soku Oil Wells to Bayelsa State, while challenging Kalabari indigenes to lend support and resist the annexation of their territory to neighbouring state.
In the same vein, King Bob-Manuel thanked the governor for his interest to develop the Kalabari Kingdom, most especially the numerous road projects in Akuku-Toru, and pleaded on him to complete them before the end of his tenure.

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Forum Expresses Confidence In APC Candidates’ Performance In Rivers

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The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.

By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi

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Okafor, Eminent Nigerians Celebrate Osagwe-Ogo At 70

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Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.

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Fubara Commended For Sustaining Peace In Rivers As Sirawoo Receives Democracy Day Recognition

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.

By: Jessica Sambol

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