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Forge Common Front To Sack Buhari, Wike Tells PDP Presidential Aspirants …Says Rivers Safest State In Nigeria
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on all Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential aspirants to forge a common-front to sack the non-performing All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.
He urged all presidential aspirants to support whoever emerges as the PDP candidate after the presidential primary, because power comes from God.
He spoke, yesterday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, during a condolence visit by PDP presidential aspirant and former Governor of Sokoto State, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa over the death of the Attorney General of Rivers State, Hon Emmanuel Aguma (SAN).
He said: “What we are saying is that all of us must put our heads together to remove this government that does not mean well for Nigerians.
“Power comes from God. If God says it is you, there is nothing any man can do about it. Man can only struggle”.
Wike said every member of the PDP must work as a team for the party to emerge victorious in 2019.
On the death of the Attorney General of Rivers State, Hon. Emmanuel Aguma, Wike thanked the former Sokoto State governor for his condolence visit.
He said the burial process would begin on September 12, 2018 with a lecture on the life and times of the late Senior Advocate of Nigeria, while actual burial would be on September 15, 2018.
The governor described the late Attorney-General of Rivers State as a dependable ally who stood by his administration to the end of his life.
In his remarks, former Sokoto State Governor, Alhaji Attahiru Bafarawa prayed God to grant Rivers people the strength to bear the loss.
He said that the visit was to condole with the Rivers State governor.
He said that all human beings would taste death at some point, praying God to grant the late Attorney-General of Rivers State paradise.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has described the state as the safest in the country, and that the establishment of the neighbourhood safety agency was a statement of the government’s commitment to safety and security of law abiding residents of the state.
Wike, who was represented by Permanent Secretary, Cabinet Bureau, Office of Secretary to State Government, Sir Chidi Adiele, made the call at Nonwa-Gbam, Tai Local Government Area, during the official opening swearing in ceremony of batch ‘B’ Steam 2, corps members of National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The state governor, who also sees the state as a home of true democracy and freedom of aspiration, urged corps members to concentrate on the various programmes of the course meant to make them see the orientation as a reality and not a myth.
Wike said that the NYSC scheme has impacted positively on the psyche of Nigerians and contributed to the building and development of the rural areas through various community development service projects.
The state governor also implored corps members to shun cultism, religious intolerance political violence, and all forms of anti-social behaviour, charging them not to allow disgruntled and unpatriotic individuals to use them for selfish and destructive purposes.
Wike assured that his administration would spare no resources in ensuring that the security of lives and property of corps members was guaranteed throughout their service year in the state.
Earlier in his welcome address, the state Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Chinendu Chukwu, who thanked the state government for making welfare of corps members a priority, said that the service has sensitized their host communities towards understanding and embracing government programmes.
Chukwu also said that the scheme has provided a continuous fight against HIV/AIDS scourge, provision of free legal services to the less privileged, sensitization of the public on fundamental human right and enhance the educational standards of the rural communities, among other needful services.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has unveiled plans to permanently relocate the dumpsite along the busy Port Harcourt Airport–Obiri-Ikwerre Road, describing the current location as both a public health threat and a damaging first impression for visitors arriving in Port Harcourt, the State capital.
The Governor made this known on Tuesday during an inspection of a proposed replacement site, which is a disused burrow pit near Bambo Estate, off Eneka Road in Igwuruta, Ikwerre Local Government Area.
The location is being assessed as a potential permanent dumpsite for the State.
Governor Fubara, who was conducted by the Board Chairman, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr Samuel Nwanosike, and its Managing Director, Dr Ibimina Wokoma, expressed concern about the environmental and health challenges posed by the existing site, which sits along a major entry point into the State.
“The kind of environmental hazards that we are facing there along the Airport–Obiri- Ikwerre Road; the smell on that road being the entrance into the State, we felt it’s not proper,” he said. “So, we are making alternative arrangements so we can have a permanent refuse dumpsite that meets acceptable standards.
“He added that the government would move swiftly to formalise ownership of the land and complete construction work on the access road to make the new site functional.“We have not concluded the issue of the burrow pit, but the access road, I think the government is doing something about it.
So, I will make sure that everything that needs to be done to ensure government owns this burrow pit is done,” he stated.
Governor Fubara also commended the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) for what he described as a more assertive and improved approach to managing refuse across the State.In addition to the dumpsite inspection, the Governor also visited the Permanent Secretaries’ Quarters located in Elimgbu Town, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to assess the extent of ongoing construction work on the facility.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Barrister Benibo Anabraba, to uphold the dignity of his office, protect the interest of the State, and discharge his duties with honour, respect, and responsibility.
Governor Fubara gave the charge during the swearing-in ceremony of the new SSG, held on Monday at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
Describing Anabraba’s appointment as an act of divine favour, the Governor said positions of leadership are not attained by our own human effort but by God’s grace in our lives.
“Let me first congratulate you. I’m using the word ‘congratulations’ because a few of us, not by our power but by the special favour of God, find ourselves in exalted positions. It’s not because we are the best, but only by His grace.”
Governor Fubara noted that the Office of the Secretary to the State Government is one of great honour, occupied by only a few since the creation of Rivers State, and urged the new appointee to serve with humility and dedication.
He, however, expressed confidence in Anabraba’s capacity to deliver, citing his past record as a principal officer of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
“This position is a rare privilege. Guard that office with honour. Discharge your duties with respect. Protect the interest of Rivers State. When you leave office, let it be with honour, and that only comes through responsible service.
“I know you’re a dedicated person. This opportunity is not for show or display of power. It’s a call to duty,” he cautioned.
The Governor emphasised that the current administration is focused on restoring confidence of the people because peace has been achieved in the State.
He enjoined the new SSG to align with the vision of the administration and contribute meaningfully to the collective progress of Rivers people.
“We are emerging from a very difficult period and must reassure our people that we mean well for them, especially now that peace has returned to Rivers State. By the grace of God, do your work well. Help us succeed in this assignment that God has given to us,” the Governor added.
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Nigeria’s First Lady Flags Off Renewed Hope Health Initiative In Rivers …Targets Measles, Rubella, HPV Vaccination For Children, Women
The First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has reiterated her commitment to expanding vaccine coverage nationwide, declaring that the ongoing Measles and Rubella vaccination campaign in Rivers State will surpass all previous records in scope and success.
Speaking through the wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, Senator Tinubu made this statement during the flag-off ceremony of the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Vaccine Sensitisation Campaign, organised under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday.
The campaign, implemented by the RHI in collaboration with the Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board, C-WINS, and international partners including WHO, UNICEF, Gavi, and Vaccine Alliance, aims to protect millions of children and women from preventable diseases.
“We will leave no stone unturned to ensure that the measles vaccine coverage achieved through this campaign exceeds that of the past,” Senator Tinubu affirmed. “Through technical and financial support, this partnership will ensure that by February, 2026, well-trained staff are deployed across communities to vaccinate all eligible children.”
Rivers State is among the Fourth Stream of Phase One states participating in Africa’s largest-ever health initiative, targeting over 106 million Nigerian children for vaccination against Measles, Rubella, Polio, and HPV. The local rollout is expected to commence in February, 2026, reaching children aged 9 months to 14 years across all 23 local government areas.
Senator Tinubu highlighted the risks of the targeted diseases, describing Measles and Rubella as “highly contagious and potentially deadly,” noting that Rubella can cause severe complications for unborn babies, if contracted by pregnant women.
“The best way to prevent both diseases remains vaccination,” she emphasised.
Narrowing down to efforts by the Rivers State Ministry of Health, the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, and the State Task Force on Primary Healthcare, led by Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, she noted how instrumental it has been in ensuring comprehensive outreach through an inter-sectoral approach involving education, women affairs, information ministries, traditional and religious leaders, and the security sector.
Senator Tinubu urged parents and caregivers to cooperate fully with health workers.
“The Measles-Rubella vaccine is safe, effective, and free in all our health centres. Please, ensure your children are vaccinated at the right time to protect them from these deadly infections.
“Let us all play our part in spreading awareness. Together, we can safeguard the health and future of our children,” she said, before formally declaring the sensitisation programme open.
In her goodwill message, Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, commended the Renewed Hope Initiative for its sustained impact in Rivers State, noting that the Measles, Rubella, and HPV Sensitisation Programme marks “a significant step in promoting public health awareness, particularly among women and children.”
She highlighted the particular benefit to the girl-child through HPV vaccination, calling it “an investment in their future health and empowerment.”
The Rivers State Coordinator of WHO, Prof. Giwa Abdulganiyu, praised the collaboration between RHI and the State Government, describing the campaign as “a worthy step in the right direction,” and reaffirmed WHO’s continued partnership in achieving health for all.
Earlier, the RHI Rivers State Coordinator, Mrs. Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, welcomed guests, and reaffirmed the initiative’s goal of reducing the incidence of Measles and Rubella in the state.
“These diseases have the potential to cause emergencies and great distress in families. Today’s flag-off represents our collective determination to raise awareness and prevent such tragedies,” she added.