Editorial
Bravo! Rivers Turns 54
On May 27, 1967, the dreams, earnest yearnings and several years of sustained struggle for freedom to determine and pursue their social, economic, political and cultural aspirations by the people of the tributaries of the lower Niger within the context of the Nigerian Federation saw the light of day. Indeed, exactly 54 years today, Rivers State was proclaimed into existence by a military Decree 14 of 1967. And since then, the state has grown in leaps and bounds in all facets of human industry while contributing its quota to the welfare, wellbeing and prosperity of the nation economically, socially, politically and otherwise.
On this occasion, therefore, The Tide believes that Rivers people have sufficient reason to celebrate and to thank God for the journey so far, while trusting Him for more grace to attain greater and loftier heights. There is no denying the fact that the state is yet to rise up to the full stature of all it can be but the reality is that it has achieved much against the odds within the period of its existence.
Its inception in 1967, therefore, was seen as liberating Niger Delta people who since the amalgamation of Nigeria in 1914 had suffered untold hardship in the Nigerian federation.
In more sense than one, Rivers State in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, is unique. Popularly known as the Treasure Base of Nigeria, the state’s uniqueness is not without basis or justification. The abundance of human and natural resources coupled with the hospitality of its people, among other considerations, make the state to stand out shoulder high among its contemporaries.
Its proclamation by Gowon as a distinct and unique state was, indeed, a realization of the vision of the founding fathers of the state, who over several decades, lamented the obvious marginalization by the dominant ethnic groups in the Nigerian project, particularly the Ibos, who co-habited the then Eastern region with its capital in Enugu.
Beginning with the young Navy Commander Alfred Papapriye Diete-Spiff’s in 1967 to the present administration of Governor Nyesom Wike, successive administrations, both military and civilian alike, have made notable contributions to make the state the enviable one it is today. From the creation of Bayelsa State in 1996 to the exponential growth in the education sector, human capital development, infrastructural revolution, health sector development, national political relevance, active participation in global economic renaissance and bold presence on the world entertainment stage, Rivers State can indeed be said to have come of age.
Perhaps except for the period of the pioneer administration, at no other time in history has the state experienced so great a level of transformation of the landscape of the state as is being realized under the present administration. From extensive urban renewal effort that has seen the rebuilding of state-owned assets and city roads to meet present day needs and the construction of nearly 10 new fly overs, to the massive road infrastructure being built in all parts of the state, the Wike administration is truly working hard to realise the objectives of the founding fathers of the state.
It is worthy of note that by the effort of the state government, Bonny and Opobo have been made accessible to the state capital by road while the same fortune is soon to be enjoyed by erstwhile disconnected people of Kalabari Kingdom through the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road. By the same token, a bold and courageous move has been initiated to create more urban centresin Rivers State through the siting of campuses of the Rivers State University in Etche, Ahoada and Emohua.
However, as we celebrate the giant strides attained and the progress made so far, we must not lose sight of the evil forces of annexation, domination, subjugation, oppression and suppression that are once again raring their ugly heads today. The present threat posed by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their allied secessionist elements to the unity, peace and stability of the state calls for a spirited concerted resistance by all Rivers people so as to preserve the gains made so far as a state and as a people.
To this end, Rivers people of all persuations, be it political or tribal affiliation, must rally round the governor who has sounded the warning that the state won’t succumb to any secessionist agenda. With security formations and personnel being brutally attacked and mindlessly murdered on Rivers soil, there can be no greater threat to the very existence of the state and the return of our people to slavery, servitude and frustration. Never have we had it so bad and nothing must be left to chance in dealing with this danger with a view to protecting, preserving and promoting our heritage.
The political class in the state in particular, must use this occasion of the 54th anniversary of the creation of the state to reflect and resolve to eschew bitterness, rancour and acrimony in their contention for political power and leadership over the people.
It must be noted that the struggle for the creation of Rivers State achieved the desired results because, among other things, the Rivers political elite, traditional rulers and the youth of the time shared a rare and uncommon sense of oneness, purpose, selflessness and indeed drive for service to fatherland. More than any other time in our history, the need to re-enact and revive the values, sentiments, philosophies and spirit that formed the driving force of the founding fathers to victory is now.
Evidently, that widely acclaimed Rivers spirit of love and commitment to selfless service have waned significantly, leaving in their stead, threat to public peace activated by political greed, selfishness and unguided quest for personal and sectional aggrandisement far and above love for the state. The clarion call is, therefore, for leaders at all strata and sectors of the state to introspect and purge themselves of all tendencies that are inimical to the all overall development and prosperity of the state.
We must remind ourselves, especially the political class, that it took selfless sacrifices, personal denials and unrelenting activism from the foundational leaders to achieve for us the state that we now call our own. All must, therefore, embrace peace, tolerance, good brotherliness and seek civil and lawful means to address all grievances and disagreements because strife, violent confrontations and aggressive engagements will only destroy the time-endured bonds of togetherness that have bound our people for years.
This year’s celebration also presents an auspicious moment for Rivers State and her people to ventilate the grievances of the state and the people before the Public Hearing on Constitutional Review organized by the National Assembly,. By some stroke of divine arrangement, the events is scheduled to hold today, May 27 and tomorrow, May 28 with Port Harcourt hosting one of the sittings in the South-South region.
The Tide believes that the opportunity must be taken to register a unified strong Rivers’ voice as regards age long injustices meted on our people by the Nigerian State that had given rise to youth restiveness and its attendant destruction of not only the environment but the very livers of the people as well. All Rivers people must rally round the government to present a common position that will convey the resolution of the state and further the cause of the people regarding fiscal federalism or resource control, devolution of powers, revenue sharing formular, preservation of the environment and sundry issues that would guarantee the safety, security, welfare, wellbeing, prosperity and freedom of our people within the Nigerian federation.
The founding fathers’ relentless struggle to question the imbalance and injustice of the Nigerian federation remains the philosophy behind the creation of the state. Their mission and vision were to ensure that Rivers State gets its pride of place in the geo-political entity called Nigeria. The question till date, however, remains whether that vision has been achieved or not.
As The Tide congratulates and felicitates with the government and people on this momentous occasion of the 54th anniversary of the creation of Rivers State, we wish to underline the need for all hands to be on deck to make the state a habitation of safety, security, peace, prosperity and an unhindered opportunity for the pursuit of happiness for everyone who live and do business in it.
When Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, received the Board and Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), led by its Chairman, Senator Adeyeye Adedayo Clement, his message was unmistakable: Rivers’ seaports remain underutilised, and Nigeria is poorer for it. The governor’s lament was a sad reminder of how neglect and centralisation continue to choke the nation’s economic arteries.
The governor, in his remarks at Government House, Port Harcourt, expressed concern that the twin seaports — the NPA in Port Harcourt and the Onne Seaport — have not been operating at their full potential. He underscored that seaports are vital engines of national development, pointing out that no prosperous nation thrives without efficient ports and airports. His position aligns with global realities that maritime trade remains the backbone of industrial expansion and international commerce.
Indeed, the case of Rivers State is peculiar. It hosts two major ports strategically located along the Bonny River axis, yet cargo throughput has remained dismally low compared to Lagos. According to NPA’s 2023 statistics, Lagos ports (Apapa and Tin Can Island) handled over 75 per cent of Nigeria’s container traffic, while Onne managed less than 10 per cent. Such a lopsided distribution is neither efficient nor sustainable.
Governor Fubara rightly observed that the full capacity operation of Onne Port would be transformative. The area’s vast land mass and industrial potential make it ideal for ancillary businesses — warehousing, logistics, ship repair, and manufacturing. A revitalised Onne would attract investors, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth, not only in Rivers State but across the Niger Delta.
The multiplier effect cannot be overstated. The port’s expansion would boost clearing and forwarding services, strengthen local transport networks, and revitalise the moribund manufacturing sector. It would also expand opportunities for youth employment — a pressing concern in a state where unemployment reportedly hovers around 32 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Yet, the challenge lies not in capacity but in policy. For years, Nigeria’s maritime economy has been suffocated by excessive centralisation. Successive governments have prioritised Lagos at the expense of other viable ports, creating a traffic nightmare and logistical bottlenecks that cost importers and exporters billions annually. The governor’s call, therefore, is a plea for fairness and pragmatism.
Making Lagos the exclusive maritime gateway is counter productive. Congestion at Tin Can Island and Apapa has become legendary — ships often wait weeks to berth, while truck queues stretch for kilometres. The result is avoidable demurrage, product delays, and business frustration. A more decentralised port system would spread economic opportunities and reduce the burden on Lagos’ overstretched infrastructure.
Importers continue to face severe difficulties clearing goods in Lagos, with bureaucratic delays and poor road networks compounding their woes. The World Bank’s Doing Business Report estimates that Nigerian ports experience average clearance times of 20 days — compared to just 5 days in neighbouring Ghana. Such inefficiency undermines competitiveness and discourages foreign investment.
Worse still, goods transported from Lagos to other regions are often lost to accidents or criminal attacks along the nation’s perilous highways. Reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps indicate that over 5,000 road crashes involving heavy-duty trucks occurred in 2023, many en route from Lagos. By contrast, activating seaports in Rivers, Warri, and Calabar would shorten cargo routes and save lives.
The economic rationale is clear: making all seaports operational will create jobs, enhance trade efficiency, and boost national revenue. It will also help diversify economic activity away from the overburdened South West, spreading prosperity more evenly across the federation.
Decentralisation is both an economic strategy and an act of national renewal. When Onne, Warri, and Calabar ports operate optimally, hinterland states benefit through increased trade and infrastructure development. The federal purse, too, gains through taxes, duties, and improved productivity.
Tin Can Island, already bursting at the seams, exemplifies the perils of over-centralisation. Ships face berthing delays, containers stack up, and port users lose valuable hours navigating chaos. The result is higher operational costs and lower competitiveness. Allowing states like Rivers to fully harness their maritime assets would reverse this trend.
Compelling all importers to use Lagos ports is an anachronistic policy that stifles innovation and local enterprise. Nigeria cannot achieve its industrial ambitions by chaining its logistics system to one congested city. The path to prosperity lies in empowering every state to develop and utilise its natural advantages — and for Rivers, that means functional seaports.
Fubara’s call should not go unheeded. The Federal Government must embrace decentralisation as a strategic necessity for national growth. Making Rivers’ seaports work is not just about reviving dormant infrastructure; it is about unlocking the full maritime potential of a nation yearning for balance, productivity, and shared prosperity.