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We ‘re Committed To Peace Building -Wike …As Commission Ends Sitting In PH

Published

6 years ago

May 17, 2019

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that his administration is committed to the peace process he initiated for the development of the state.
Speaking during a solidarity visit by selected clergymen of Ikwerre extraction to Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the state government needs peace to entrench development across the state.
The governor said: “We are sincere about the peace process that we initiated. We are not playing politics with the peace process. It is for this reason that the Honourable Attorney General entered a ‘nolle prosequi’ for some persons.
“Government needs peace to entrench development in different parts of the state. However, we are committed to peace that is not against the interest of the state. We are not working for conditional peace”.
Wike said that he will continue to work for the entire state, which he sees as his primary constituency.
“As a governor, I am from a particular ethnic group, but I am not a governor for only that ethnic group. I am a governor of Rivers State.
“So, my interest is for the entire state. But somebody must come from somewhere”, he added.
The governor thanked the clerics for their role in the promotion of peace and reconciliation. He enjoined them to continue to build peace across the state.
He said that the success recorded during the elections prove that the prayers of Rivers clerics worked for the people.
Earlier, the Leader of the selected clergymen of Ikwerre origin and President of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide, Rev Canon Simeon Achinewhu congratulated the governor on his re-election.
Achinewhu, who is also an academic professor, said: “Your re-election for a second term is a general acceptance by the good people of Rivers State that you performed creditably well in your first tenure.
“We join the good people of Rivers State to appreciate you on your performance in your first term and pray that God will give you more wisdom to perform even better in your second term”.
The group lauded the Rivers State governor for initiating a peace and reconciliation process by extending the Olive branch after the elections.
“We commend your courage for extending the Olive branch for total peace and reconciliation in Rivers State. We pray to God to touch everybody concerned to accept this Olive branch and fully participate in the process of reconciliation and total peace in Rivers State”.
The Ikwerre clerics assured the governor that they would work towards bringing all interest groups together for a joint solidarity visit to the Government House.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Commission of Inquiry investigating the invasion and attack on the state Judiciary Complex, last year, yesterday, completed its public sitting in Port Harcourt, with a firm promise that its recommendations would be based on the evidences given by witnesses who testified during the proceedings of the commission.
The Chairman of the commission, Justice Simeon Amadi, stated this during the last sitting of the commission at the state Judiciary Complex in Port Harcourt.
Amadi, who is also a serving judge with the state Judiciary, said the commission tried to reach out to all parties whose names were mentioned in the matter through electronics and print media.
He averred that some of the persons who were invited by the commission refused to honour the invitation on their own volition.
The chairman reiterated the commission’s earlier resolve to be fair and give equal opportunities to all affected persons and groups, adding that the commission remained a fact finding one, and therefore, not set up to witch-hunt anybody.
“We tried to ensure that everybody mentioned in the allegation was invited for fair hearing and to give equal opportunity to all.
“But a lot of the people decided not to appear before the panel, we shall visit the premises to inspect the damaged items within the Judiciary Complex to ascertain the level of damage as well as know the items replaced and those still pending”, he added.
Amadi thanked all the people who attended the proceedings of the commission for the cooperation they accorded to the panel, and assured that their report would capture all the correspondences taken from the witnesses.
Earlier before the commission rounded off its sitting, it also grilled the former mayor of Port Harcourt City, Prince Orukwem Amadi-Oparali and the Registrar of the state High Court, Mrs V. Kobani Esq.
While the state High Court Registrar, Mrs V. Kobani, who had earlier testified before the commission was recalled for further cross-examination and clarifications, the former mayor, Prince Amadi-Oparali was admitted into the witness box to give his evidence as the mayor of city at the time of the incident.
Kobani while submitting the list of unrecovered items during the judiciary invasion told the commission that the judiciary archive containing both government and private information was damaged by the hoodlums during the rampage.
She told the panel that there was never a time the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike drove Justice Chinwendu Nworgu into the Judiciary Complex on that day.
On his part, the former mayor of Port Harcourt, Prince Orukwem Amadi-Oparali told the commission that the thugs, who invaded the judiciary on that day, were supporters of the two contending factional members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state loyal to the Transportation Minister, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi and Senator Magnu Abe, respectively.
He disclosed that he could not establish the identity of the leaders of the protesters because the crowd was much but stressed that his main concern alongside some members of the State Executive Council who were there at the time of the attack, was to ensure that the court was open, which they succeeded in facilitating.

Featured

Fubara Pledges Cleaner Gateway To PH City …Visits New Dumpsite At Igwuruta

Published

5 days ago

October 24, 2025

The Tide

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.

Featured

Fubara Tasks New SSG On Honour, Service, Protection Of Rivers Interest

Published

2 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

The Tide

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.

Featured

Nigeria’s First Lady Flags Off Renewed Hope Health Initiative In Rivers …Targets Measles, Rubella, HPV Vaccination For Children, Women

Published

2 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

The Tide

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.