News

Rivers NUJ Gets New Exco

Published

8 years ago

July 13, 2018

Following a keenly contested election of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Rivers State Council, yesterday, a new executive has emerged to steer the affairs of the union for the next three years.
In the election, which took place at the Ernest Ikoli Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt, Mr Stanley Job Stanley of Radio Rivers Chapel emerged as the new chairman having beaten his only opponent, Miss Uchechukwu Agbam to a distant second.
Stanley polled 124 votes while Agbam scored 46 votes.
The position of the union’s secretary was clinched by Mr Ikechukwu Wigodo of The Tide Chapel.
He polled 125 votes against his opponent, Mr Jim Opiki-Udede, who scored 47 votes.
Mrs Ifeoma Uche Ossai polled 110 votes to emerge as the new treasurer of the union while her opponent, Miss Priscilla Okere got 60 votes.
Messrs Paul Bazia, Martins Giadom and Godspower Lekia Anya emerged unopposed as the vice chairman, financial secretary and internal auditor, respectively.
The position of the assistant secretary is expected to be filled through bye-election within three months.
In his post-election speech, the new Chairman, Stanley Job Stanley thanked members, especially the NUJ Rescue Team for their support which led to the victory of his team.
He promised to be magnanimous in victory, and called on his opponents to work with the new executive to build a new vibrant union.
Also speaking, the Rivers State NUJ Election Planning Committee Chairman, Mr Gabriel Nwanetanya listed some of the challenges the committee face, including short period of time the credentials committee to deliver, poor funding, and members’ apathy to issues of election.
“I believe that journalists are society’s watchdogs, but we have to watch ourselves first. We are meant to mirror the society; we have to put ourselves in a position that we can objectively mirror the society because if we are not practicing what we are preaching, it is going to be very difficult for the society to move forward.
“Some of our members have attitudinal problem, and we need to shift from seeing ourselves as ordinary citizens on the streets, among others. We must see ourselves as professionals who are supposed to be role models, who the society should look up to,” Nwanetanya added.
He urged members of the union to see the election not as a do or die affair, stressing that positions of authority were only given by God.
Nwanetanya further stressed that many members do not have clear understanding and knowledge of the provisions of the Constitution of the union, but would jump into the fray to contest for any position because of their personal ambitions, and advised members to always read the Constitution thoroughly before indicating interest to contest elections.
He expressed joy that the committee has acquitted itself, and appealed to all members to join hands with the new executive to move the union forward.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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.