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We’ll Resist Any Attempt To Annex Rivers Oil Wells, Wike Vows …Assures Commitment To Prosperous Rivers

Published

6 years ago

October 1, 2019

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has declared that many states are being used to fight against Rivers State for the illegal grabbing of the state’s oil wells.
Commissioning the Dualised/Reconstructed Birabi Street, Elegbam-Rumueme in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Friday, Wike said the state has the capacity to resist any form of oil well annexation.
He said: “So many states are being used to fight Rivers State to collect our oil Wells. We have the capacity to fight back. No state will take what belongs to Rivers State.
“Whether you are PDP or APC state, anybody who attempts to take what belongs to Rivers, Rivers State will fight back.
“This is not a question of party. It is the interest of the state that matters. My interest is Rivers State, not political party. If you are in PDP and you don’t love Rivers State, I will not love you. My love for you is based upon your love for Rivers State”.
He said that Rivers State deserves the best, noting that his administration will continue to work for the growth of the state.
The governor said that his administration will enhance the infrastructural base of Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor local government areas, as a large percentage of Rivers people live in the state capital territory.
He thanked the people of Rumuadaolu in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area for cooperating with the contractors to deliver the road.
Wike praised former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, for grooming the present generation of political leaders in the state.
“Dr Peter Odili is the person who brought all of us up. No political leader can claim that he is what he is today without Odili.
“Odili laid the foundation. But for him, Ikwerre man would not be governor of Rivers State. Ikwerre people owe him a lot. It was difficult in this state for any Ikwerre man to be governor. He took the risk for an Ikwerre man to be governor.
“I know the hatred people have on him because he said an Ikwerre man must be governor. We shall continue to stand with him. Any Ikwerre man who is anywhere without recognising Odili will not know peace. Any Ikwerre man plotting against you and your family will never have peace”.
Wike said the many fights Odili was having today was because he insisted that an Ikwerre man should be governor, and urged the former governor not to regret facilitating the emergence of an Ikwerre governor in the state.
In a project description, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr Walter Ndu, said the ministry was implementing the governor’s outstanding urban renewal programme.
He said the road was a single lane, before the Rivers State governor directed that a section be dualised, while the second section was expanded for improved traffic.
In his remarks, Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Hon Solomon Eke, praised the governor’s sense of judgment in dualising the road that leads to the headquarters of Salvation Ministries, adding that thousands of international visitors to the church would enjoy using the high quality road.
He said that the people of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area appreciate the governor’s commitment to the development of the area.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government says it is always committed to a united and prosperous Rivers State that works for everybody who lives and works in the state.
Wike stated this during the inter-denominational church service in commemoration of the 59th Nigeria’s Independence Anniversary at St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Rumuodalu Parish, last Sunday.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, the governor said, “We are committed to the social contract we have made with our people, we would make their lives better and we also pray the same for our national leadership so the nation can see itself as a nation of people of different leanings but who are one under God so that the nation can move forward”.
According to the governor, at 59, Nigeria is at cross roads with lots of challenges bedevilling its people but there is no time better than now to blend as a people, noting that if we put our hearts to it we can overcome what seems impossible because we have what it takes to surmount these challenges.
“This country is truly blessed all we need to do is to love it, love its diversity and to take each one of us as a Nigerian”, Wike quipped.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

22 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

22 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

22 hours ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.