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Only 61 Of 774 LGs In Nigeria, Open Defecation Free, FG Admits

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The Minister of Water Resources, Engr Suleiman Adamu, has revealed that 61 out of the 774 local governments in Nigeria have been certified Open Defecation Free (ODF).
The minister also revealed that an estimated population of 46million out of 200 million Nigerian citizens still find pleasure in open defecation, and described the practice as hazardous to the wellbeing of the citizens.
The minister spoke in Ado Ekiti, yesterday, during the flag-off of the National Youth Volunteer Programme for Hand Washing and Clean Nigeria Campaign.
Adamu, represented by an official of the ministry, Mrs Damilola Akomolafe, described the programme as one of the interventions of the Federal Government to halt the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the citizens.
The minister said, “This programme was launched two years ago and ought to have been replicated in all the 36 states of the federation, but for Covid-19 pandemic that brought about total lockdown of the country, last year.
“The programme was conceived to mobilise Nigerian population on the need to maintain proper hygiene for their safety because statistics revealed that an estimated population of about 46million in Nigeria still practice open defecation.
“Let me also reveal that 61 local governments out of 774 in Nigeria have been certified Open Defecation Free, with Ifedayo in Osun State being the only one in the South-West.
“It is my belief that the joint efforts now being intensified by governments and stakeholders would raise the awareness of the danger of unclean environment and help to build a more economically prosperous nation”.
The Commissioner, Ekiti State Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Hon Bamidele Faparusi, disclosed that a total of 1,600 volunteers in Ekiti would be trained to spread the campaign across the 16 local government areas.
Faparusi said, “To ensure availability of water to sustain WASH and the elimination of open defecation, the government of Ekiti State has completed rehabilitation works on Ureje, Ero and Egbe dams. We have also carried out rehabilitation works on over 200 boreholes across the state while the Ekiti water plants in Erinjiyan and Okemesi Ekiti have been rehabilitated to respond to the people’s water needs.
“Our sustained WASH policy has started yielding results. Two of our council areas; Gbonyin and Ekiti West are now ODF. We thank the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring the safety of youth in the country because this programme touches them the more.
“The engagement of 1600 volunteers,100 from each of the 16 local governments will help to promote community engagements and cleanliness in all our towns and villages and will contribute to the growth of our local economy”.
Also contributing, the Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly’s Committee on Public Utilities, Hon. Kola Michael Arubu, said a bill has just been passed that stipulated fines for practitioners of open defecation.
The lawmaker added that the bill would also regulate hand washing and cleanliness when assented to by Governor Kayode Fayemi.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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6 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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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.
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