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Nsirim Eulogises Late RSTV GM
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has described the late General Manager of Rivers State Television (RSTV), Pastor Dafini Gogo- Abbey as an embodiment of good tidings.
Gogo Abbey died on June 21, 2021, after a brief illness.
Nsirim said during a condolence visit to the family of the deceased in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday that their mother laid a good foundation that must be built upon.
According to the commissioner, late Gogo Abbey distinguished herself as a professional, adding that her appointment as general manager of the Rivers State Television was based on merit.
While stressing that the ministry and the Government of Rivers State shared in their moment of grief, Nsirim consoled them to take solace in the fact that their mother died in the Lord.
Responding, the eldest daughter of the deceased, Ijeoma Tubosia, thanked the commissioner for the visit, adding that the death of their mother was a big blow to the family.
Similarly, the Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has called on the management of the Rivers State Television (RSTV) to sustain the legacies of their late general manger.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the station, Nsirim said that the station as well as the entire state lost a rare gem.
He also said that the death of Dafini Gogo Abbey would be felt even more in the broadcast industry in Nigeria.
Nsirim, however, advised the management against infighting and power tussle, adding that the present arrangement should be maintained pending the appointment of a substantive general manager for the station.
“This is a very delicate time in the history of this organisation and the whole world will be watching all of you to see how you can be working cooperatively until a substantive general manager is appointed for the station,” he said.
Nsirim, who described her death as a collective loss to the people of Rivers State said “but again when we get news like this, it is for us who are alive to have some kind of retrospection on how we live our lives.
“She is no longer here, but you see, the life we live will stand as testimony and memorial when we are gone. I am not saying that she was a perfect person, but I saw in her a woman who was determined to make a mark in this organisation. Because each time we discussed, she was making sacrifice, she was making efforts to give Rivers State Television a new image and identity,” he said.
He advised them to ensure that they don’t allow Rivers State Television to suffer any loss at this period because a substantive head had not been appointed.
“I am believing that she is resting in the bosom of the Lord and the greatest legacy we can all give to her is to build a better Rivers State Television that one would look up to and say these are the landmark we left behind after Sister Dafini’s exit,” he said.
Responding, the Director of Administration, Rivers State Television (RSTV), Mr Victor Gorgor, thanked the commissioner for the visit, adding that the death of the former general manager came as a big surprise to both management and staff of the station.
He said that the deceased would be remembered for the several achievements she made in the station, especially ensuring that the station went digital, and promised that the management would not only consolidate but surpass the feats already recorded.
The commissioner was accompanied on the visit by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Barrister Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo and some directors.
By: John Bibor
Featured
RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
John Bibor & King Onunwor
