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Rivers Commissioner Carpets Agbakoba On Wike, Omehia
Former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon (right), Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Sunusi (2nd-right) and Christian leaders, during the visit of members of Nigeria Prays to Jigawa State for North-West Prayer Rally in Dutse, yesterday
The Rivers State Commissioner for Housing, Barr Emma Okah, has said that rights activist and former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Chief Olisa Agbakoba (SAN), misdirected himself on facts, and therefore, was wrong and insensitive by describing the decision of Rivers State Government to accord a special privilege and recognition to Sir Celestine Omehia as useless, unnecessary and capable of overheating the system.
In a press statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt, Okah said that a state government has the powers to confer an advantage on anybody without reference to any court judgment, and wondered why such a reconciliatory and uniting action should annoy Agbakoba.
“This is purely a political concession, far away from the courts. There must be an end to acrimony and bitterness or politics of hate. As a people, we should encourage harmony, peace and consensus building so that we can put the agony of yesterday behind us and together, move the state to greater heights”, he said, noting that in all jurisdictions, litigants can still seek peace outside the court room or even after judgement and such agreements calm frayed nerves and heal wounds better and faster.
According to Okah, a time comes when as leaders, you need to think outside the box to solve political problems and create happiness for the people. Nigeria did the same for Chief Ernest Shonekan, who headed the Interim National Government which the court declared as illegal. In Ekiti State, Governor Ayo Fayose accorded similar recognition to Chief Segun Oni even though the court said he was not a governor in law. People are happy with these situations and that of Rivers State cannot be different.
Okah further said that Agbakoba has more pressing things to worry about in Nigeria like the current developments in the National Assembly where statesmen like Him are expected to sound their voice for democracy instead of dabbling into Rivers politics and its complex dynamics.
He expressed surprise that as a respected Senior Advocate who has stood for the down-trodden over the years, Agbakoba was among those who kept mute and played no major role to reprimand the former governor of the state, Chibuike Amaechi when his administration locked the courts and emasculated the judiciary for over one year.
“Many thought that Agbakoba would have risen to the occasion but the plight and agony of detainees, lawyers, judges, litigants and judicial stakeholders arising from the closure of courts could not move him to strongly condemn the evils that Amaechi inflicted on the judiciary. Even the emasculation of the legislative arm of government by the same Amaechi administration, who moved their sittings to the banquet hall of Government House, Port Harcourt, was not enough to catch the attention of our respected Agbakoba at a time when many well-meaning Nigerians saw it as an aberration and embarrassment to democracy,” Okah added.
Okah further said that Agbakoba can redeem his lost voice in Rivers State by condemning the financial recklessness and outright fraud which the past government visited on the state; refusal to cooperate with the present government on handover notes, looting and desecration of the Rivers State Government House in Port Harcourt, and the carting away of vehicles, television sets, mattresses, air conditioners, e.t.c, as if the state was facing liquidation.
“Perhaps, Agbakoba needs to know that Wike has nothing personal against Amaechi but the issue of accountability, due process and outright stealing of public funds, especially in the last weeks of the Amaechi’s government require explanation and the public has the right to know,” Okah argued.
“Besides, the people are happy that Wike is squarely facing the task of development in Rivers State despite the landmines the Amaechi administration set. Two major contractors – Julius Berger and CCECC have been contracted to rebuild all the roads in Port Harcourt City. So far, the Rivers State Government has opened the courts and judges, magistrates, lawyers, judiciary workers and the public are happy.
“Members of the state House of Assembly are now sitting in the Assembly complex. The eight months’ salary arrears of management and players of Dolphin Football Club, Sharks FC and Rivers Angels FC have been paid.
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