News

FG Trains 40 Extension Agents In Rivers

Published

4 years ago

October 22, 2021

To ensure sufficiency in food production and enhance agricultural development in Rivers State, the Federal Government through the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has commenced the training of 40 extension agents selected from the 23 local government areas of the state.
The four-day capacity training is the second batch of the training series designed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in collaboration with the National Agricultural and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS) to acquaint the selected participants with the knowledge of extension tools, methodologies and selected agricultural value chains.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the programme held at the Rivers State Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Rumuodomaya in Obio /Akpor Local Government Area of the state, Wednesday, the Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development stated that extension workers are critical and invaluable to the development of agricultural sector in every given society.
Represented by the state Director FMARD, Mr Ebinimi Tobin, the Minister said that agricultural extension services predate the independence of the country, about 120 years ago precisely in 1893, saying that the agric extension services have metemorphosed from one stage to another as it is important to rural and semi urban development with regard to food and job provisions.
He described agricultural extension delivery services as a vehicle for all agric policies and research, adding that without which, all efforts in the ecosystem would not realise its objectives
“This training is one of the various strategies planned by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to halt the drift in the extension services with the aim to pursue revalidation agenda of the nation’s economy. This training is the second batch that will empower you all with the knowledge that will enhance service delivery to farmers both in terms of production practical and equipment technical support. It is the desire of the Federal Government and every Nigerian that the nation agric extension services meet up global competitiveness to have adequate food provision for the growing population and augment foreign earnings,” he stated.
Also speaking, the Director of Extension, FMARD, Engr Frank Satuman Kudia represented by the Agric Officer, Mrs Gloria Ibroma said the training is one among the various recommendations of the special technical committee set up by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development to among other things assist to develop a workable framework and actionable programme for the immediate training of 75 extension workers in collaboration with state ADPs.
According to him, the unwillingness by the youth to embrace agricultural entrepreneurship, poor funding, retirement and death of extension workers are key factors responsible for the decline in the national agricultural extension services in the country.
“The training is designed to empower participants with desired skills in the use of extension delivery methodologies and tools as well as best global agricultural value chains chosen by the various state ADPs. This training provides you with various logistics and manuals which will help you all practise in the emerging technologies in the sector. So, take the workshop seriously, “he stated
Declaring the training workshop open, the state Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr Fred Kpakol commended the Federal Government for taking the bull by the horn by training the extension agents whom he described as essential workers for the advancement of the agriculture sector in the society.
The state Commissioner who was represented by the state Coordinator of FADAMA, Sir Kingsley Amadi, described the extension workers as pivotal to the development of agriculture.
He disclosed that it was the importance the state government attaches to agriculture that is responsible for its investing in the sector through building model garri factory, model Abattoirs as well as building a modern Veterinary Clinic, among others.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the Programme Manager, ADP, Chief David Darius urged the participants to take the workshop seriously, adding that they are to carry the message to the farmers at the rural communities even as he described the roles of extension workers as very essential in every aspect of human endeavor.

By: Akujobi Amadi

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

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.