News
Vote APC, Shape Your Future, Amaechi Tells Nigerians
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, has urged Nigerians to vote cautiously in the country’s forthcoming presidential elections in order to shape their future.
He said that is their only power to transform both the country and its leadership, and appealed to the people to vote for the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari.
Amaechi spoke at the 27th convocation ceremony of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
According to him, Nigerians would be faced with the reality of voting on March 28 in the country’s Presidential election.
“Today, you are confronted with one reality, the reality of Nigeria, that reality begins from 28th of March, the reality to choose between good and bad, and the reality to choose between peace and corruption and those who want to change your life, the reality of the fact that after now, most of you will be unemployed, the reality of the fact that I sit here as governor and students are fighting over electric fan, compared with the reality of the fact that in other universities outside this country, convocation arenas are built with air- conditioners so students don’t fight over fan, that reality is what confronts you today.
“It is the reality of asking your lecturers, what are their qualifications, why don’t we have enough lecturers in each faculty. When I was at the University of Port Harcourt, I had enough lecturers in my faculty, and I’m proud to say that I graduated from that university knowing my lecturers were those who could defend their degrees outside.
“That reality confronts you on the 28th (of March) to choose between our brother who’s a failure or success, to choose between Christianity and God. You will ask me why I say Christianity and God’. Not all Christians worship God. I’m a Catholic, let them tell us their religion. I’m a Catholic and will never be found in a traditional place where people will point their tools on me because I want to win election. I’m a Christian and I worship God.”
He bemoaned the corruption menace in the country, promising that there would be stringent measures against corruption when Buhari is elected president.
He urged Nigerians to vote for Buhari and dissociate themselves from the current failure of the PDP-led Federal Government.
“It is your choice. Why did I say it is your choice? At the University of Port Harcourt, we were out demonstrating against government. Nobody will steal $10.8 billion and go free. Nobody will steal $20 billion and go free. Nigerian students will be found outside. Today, Nigerian students have convoys like governors, driving and telling you ‘this is my PA (Personal Assistant), this is my SA (Special Assistant)’. It is a choice to worship God and to choose the right leaders or to choose to remain where you are and choose failure. It is your choice, that choice is on the 28th (of March)”.
Amaechi also lamented the insecurity across the country, saying that lives were no longer safe. He recalled that there was insecurity in Rivers State at the time he became governor but that he worked hard to restore normalcy and security.
“Lives are no longer safe. You have forgotten what life was like in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009. You’ve forgotten what it was until we came, until we chased them away.
Today, they’ve been brought back. Rivers people, you’ve forgotten suddenly that there were no roads. You’ve forgotten that the road from Education Bus stop up to Rumuokoro, was bad, you’ve forgotten that it took time and planning to fix those roads”.
He said Nigerians should vote for only those who would protect their interests.
“I believe that one day this community of Rivers people will remember me for all the achievements we have done. I believe that the children we sent to UK, Canada, Malaysia, Singapore, as they begin to return, we’ll remember that we paid their school fees from the pocket of Rivers State”, he said.
He reiterated that the state had not benefited from the Federal Government under Jonathan, urging the people to vote without consideration to tribe or religion.
Earlier, Vice Chancellor the University, Prof. B. B. Fakae had commended Governor Amaechi for his huge support to the university.
He said the university was graduating 5,600 first degree graduands, 216 Master’s and 26 PhD degree holders, describing RSUST as foremost e-university with various achievements.
Also speaking, Pro-Chancellor of RSUST, Justice Karibi Whyte (rtd) lauded Chibuike Amaechi for giving the university new lease of life and sense of direction.
He congratulated the graduating students, and wished them well, saying they should become good ambassadors.
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