News

RSG To Revive Dental Maxillo-Facial Hospital …Gets Kudos For Accessing UBEB Funds

Published

8 years ago

October 30, 2017

The Rivers State Government has again re-echoed its commitment to provide holistic quality health care services to the Rivers people.
The Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo stated this during a courtesy visit to her by members of the Rivers State Branch of the Nigeria Dental Association (NDA), at the Government House in Port Harcourt.
Banigo said the Governor Nyesom Wike-led government was working hard to revive the Dental and Maxillo-Facial Hospital to make it what it ought to be, stressing that the state government was committed to residency training in all fields of medicine.
She said “Although we have a National Oral Health Policy in the country, there is a need to review and upgrade it in line with present realities, in view of the fact that the policy is now obsolete.”
Banigo, who said the state government wants Rivers people to access quality health services in both public and private health facilities, disclosed that more grants will be given to doctors, noting that dental practitioners will also have a fair share.
According to her, “There are lots of oral health issues in the society,” which she attributed “to lack of awareness”, and urged members of the association to carry out frequent medical missions in order to create more awareness on the importance of oral health to the general wellbeing of the people of the state.
In her remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Dental Association, Dr. Tomina George explained that the NDA was the umbrella body of all General and Specialist Dental Health Professionals in Nigeria.
She stated that the state chapter was saddled with the responsibility of promoting oral health care services and development, and expressed the need for the state Dental and Maxillo-Facial Hospital, which she described as the best in the country to be used for residency training.
Meanwhile,the Joint Consultative Council Reference Committee on Education of the Federal Ministry of Education has commended the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike for ensuring that the state government accessed the 2014-2016 counterpart fund of the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB).
The committee made the commendation, at the weekend, after the Commissioner for Quality Assurance in the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), Dr. Williams Nzidee presented a paper at the 2017 Joint Consultative Council Reference Committee on Education Meeting in Illorin, Kwara State.
Presenting a paper on the topic, “Funding of Education for the Achievement of Education 2030 Agenda: 13 Years’ Education Rolling Plan”, Nzidee explained that the Rivers State Government has been able to utilize the fund through the renovation and reconstruction of 175 schools across the 23 local government areas of the state and the provision of educational facilities to enhance basic education in the state.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and made available to The Tide in Port Harcourt, indicated that the committee commended the Rivers State governor for his developmental strides in the basic education sub-sector and for putting strategies in place to access the 2017 counterpart fund before the end of December, 2017, and vowed to sanction any state of the federation that has refused to access the fund, including Bayelsa State.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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.