News
Ayade Lauds Firm For Donating Library
Governor Ben Ayade of Cross River State has given kudos to Texaco Nigeria Outer Shelf (subsidiary of Chevron Company) for donating a hybrid library to the West African Peoples Institution WAPI in Cross River State under the company’s social investment programme.
The Manager, Policy Government/Public Affairs Chevron Nigeria Ltd., Mike Kabir who represented the Director, Deepwater, Mr. Richard Kennedy, at the commissioning ceremony said that the construction of the hybrid library was in line with the Company’s corporate social responsibility to make her contributions to the development of education in the country.
He said that donation of the library was among the company’s core values to bring improvement to the education of the country stressing that it was education that unlocks the potentials of youths and galvanizes the people for progressive development.
The representative of the oil firm said “In addition to the social intervention programme by the Texaco Nigeria Outer Shelf Limited and her partner, Star Deep Water Petroleum (another Chevron Company) with its parties in Agbami unit, in 2009, provided a fully-equipped Science Laboratory to the Cross River State Government, at senior secondary school, Adiabo, Odukpani Local Government Area From 2011 to 2017.”
Kennedy maintained that 18 conventional and hybrid libraries had so far been completed and handed over to different schools across the country, adding that Agbami parties had also instituted specialized educational scholarship programmes in support of manpower development in the country through tacit support for medical, nursing, library sciences and engineering students.
“Currently, 595 indigenes of Cross River State have benefited from the Agbami Medical/Engineering Professional Scholarships (AMEPS) while 69 indigenes of the state are also beneficiaries of the NNPC/CNL Joint Venture Scholarship programme,” Keneddy maintained.
He enumerated Chevron’s contribution to improving education in Nigeria to include provision of educational facilities/ equipment such as laboratories and research centres; upgrade of such facilities where necessary in line with the company’s strategic objectives.
Ayade who was being represented by the state commissioner for Education, Hon. Godwin Ettah commended the oil firm for the project, saying that the state government and people of Cross River state were happy with the kind gesture of the oil company.
Ettah said that in as much as the affairs of Cross River State are being managed by two professors, Governor Ben Ayade a professor and his deputy, Professor Ivara Esu who is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Cross River State takes anything that has to do with education seriously.
Ayade stated that even in the present times when the economies of many governments at the federal and states levels seemed to face down turn the educational sector of Cross River State was still given a priority attention.
In her remarks the principal of WAPI College Mrs. Mercy Etim, while receiving documents of the hybrid library from management of the oil company said, “I am so happy that this is achieved under my administration as the principal of the school under a short period of time.”
However, His Eminence Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu the V, the Obong of Calabar, who is an alumnus of the West African Peoples Institute WAPI who was represented at the commissioning and handing over of the project by paramount Ruler of Odukpani Local Government Area of the state HRH Etim Otu hailed the oil firm for the project and assured that the project would be jealously guarded by his subjects.
Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
News
Be Patient With Us, Diri Tells Bayelsans … Inspects New 60mw IPP …Expresses Confidence In Technical Partners, BECL MD
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene