President of the Concerned Rivers Youths, Chief Minikwu Macdonald, has called on civil servants in the State and the people of the State to give their support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He also attributed the emergence of Governor Fubara to an act of God.
Macdonald, who said this at a press briefing in Port Harcourt, said no account must Rivers civil servants sell their conscience and allow evil men take over the State again.
He said civil servants should remember the past eight years of stagnation owing to lack of promotion, eight years of no increments and eight years of no employment.
The youth leader also urged Rivers people not to forget the shutting down of the state transport company which brought hardship to staff of the company, the hardship caused to staff of the Rivers State University Demonstration School (UDSS), the Sea Shell Model School and others.
He particularly said some staff of the Demonstration school had lost their loved ones, stressing that Rivers people must not allow the mistake to repeat itself.
The youth leader said Governor Fubara has come with an ideology that favours not just civil servants but the entire people of the State, adding that for the first time, Rivers civil servants were the first in the East of the Niger to receive N100,000 Christmas bonus.
He also said the Governor is embarking on people oriented projects across the State, adding that for the first time, Rivers money is being used for Rivers people.
“The message I have is to tell Rivers people more especially civil servants to support the Governor based on his ideology.
“We should accept and follow whatever the Governor has said because he has liberated the State”, he said.
According to him, Governor Fubara is there today as Governor, tomorrow it could be you.
Governor Fubara has also promised to be the first Governor in the country to pay the new minimum wage once approved by the Federal Government.
The youth leader called on Rivers civil servants to come out en mess to vote for candidates of their choice during the local government elections.
He said those peddling rumours that the election will not hold do not wish the State well.
Macdonald assured that Rivers youths would participate massively in the elections.

John Bibor

Veteran journalist and former Governor of Ogun, Chief Olusegun Osoba, yesterday, charged the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ) to tackle dissemination of inaccurate reports.
Osoba charged the centre to do so through greater investment in investigative journalism.
The Tide’s source reports that Osoba spoke at the celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Report Women Programme, an initiative of the WSCIJ.
The event featured public presentation of the Report Women Experts Source Guide by WSCIJ.
Osoba said that dissemination of fake news had caused much harm to Nigeria’s journalism industry and the entire country.
He praised WSCIJ for its giant strides in investigative journalism, adding that the Report Women Programme had done much to promote gender parity.
The President of Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE), Mr Eze Anaba, said at the occasion that narratives shared through media played a crucial role in shaping public perception and influencing policy.
“Yet, we know that the portrayal of women often falls short, reinforcing stereotypes and neglecting the myriad contributions they make to our society.
“The media holds tremendous power. It is a mirror reflecting our society and, at the same time, a tool that can mould our collective consciousness.
“It is our responsibility to ensure that this tool is wielded with care, fairness and inclusivity.
“When we commit to reporting on women not as mere subjects but as leaders, innovators and change-makers, we pave the way for a more equitable future,” he said.
Anaba was represented by the NGE Vice-President, South-West, Dr Kabir Garba.
The Head of Editorial Operations of NAN, Lagos Office, Mrs Ifeyinwa Omowole, urged the WSCIJ to do more to amplify voices of more women whose stories would encourage girls to break barriers.
Omowole was represented by Mrs Ijeoma Popoola, the Head of Lagos Metropolitan Desk of NAN.
She urged adequate training of journalists to effectively amplify women’s voices.
According to Omowole, some women with inspiring stories are reluctant to tell the stories to journalists for fear of being misquoted or misjudged, while others are shy.
She said that such women would need confidence of well-trained journalists to open up.
Mrs Motunrayo Alaka, the Chief Executive Officer of WSCIJ, said that there was a gap between men and women in newsrooms across Nigeria.
“Men overwhelmingly lead newsrooms and dominate the news coverage, particularly in key sectors such as politics, power, extractive, business and governance.
“Women’s voices are side-lined, under-represented or confined to issues considered ‘soft’.
“In response to this gap, the Report Women Experts Source Guide we launch today is a strategic intervention.
“It is a resource that connects reporters and editors to a diverse pool of female experts across fields ranging from economics and finance to governance and politics, to security and more,” she said.
Alaka said that the guide was aimed at eliminating the excuse that ‘there are no qualified women to interview’.

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the October 5 Local Government election in the State is sacrosanct, saying no amount of propaganda will stop the election.
He said his conviction stems from the Supreme Court judgment that all states in the federation should have democratically elected local government executives, Mr. President’s 90 days window to states to comply with the Supreme Court ruling, and the substantive judgment by the Rivers State High Court that mandates the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct the election.
Governor Fubara made the declaration when members of the Rivers State Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) led by its Chairman, Solsuema Osaro paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
The Governor, who expressed concern why people who earlier ascribed to the fact that parties are only a vehicle that convey people to positions of leadership and boosted to win all elective positions in the 23 local government areas if elections are conducted, are now scared to participate in the slated polls.
He assured that any attempt by anybody or group of people to disrupt the democratic process that is genuinely pursued in the State will be fought by the gods of the land.
“I am really happy that the Chairman, IPAC has said a few things. But, the records need to be properly presented to the public. There is no going back on the election come the 5th of October. There is no amount of propaganda, be it from the Judiciary end, be it from the law enforcement end …, that election would hold.
“What is the reason: first the Supreme Court has ruled that every state must migrate to elected local government executives. Among the states affected, 10 of these states have already held their elections, and if I am not mistaken, I stand to be corrected. They used the 2023 voters register. Outside that, Mr. President, after the Supreme Court ruling, gave a window of 90 days when we went as governors to meet him, ensure that all the processes are completed.
“The issue of the court cases here and there, I can tell you, it is not an issue to stop the election. There is a substantive judgment giving the RSIEC all powers to ensure that election holds. And we are standing by that judgment to support RSIEC for the election.
“Also, I don’t know why people are scared. I used to hear them say before that party is just a vehicle. If party is just a vehicle, and today, not even my party, other parties are contesting election, and I try to be a referee, why are they restless. If you feel you are strong, through your heart into the ring. Why do you need to stop the process? Does it show any sign of sportsmanship? Does it show any sign that you love this State? A situation where this State will be the State that will be suspended, the activities of the civil servants will be suspended, local government workers will not earn their salaries again because you want to prove that you have some dirty power?”
“So, don’t be scared when you hear one party factional chairman will just sit somewhere and announce that he will not be part of the election for whatever reason. Even that factional chairman, some months ago was bragging, saying: what is the reason holding the Governor from conducting the election? That if he comes and conducts this election, he is going to win all the 23 local government areas.
“This world is so beautiful today. What we say here, the record will be there for the world to see. Bring that video and send it to him when he said the 23 local governments he is going to win. So, what has changed? We are conducting election now, you are the same person going to cry, you don’t want to participate in the election?
“So, any attempt by anybody or group of people to see that this process is disrupted, I can assure you, the gods of this land, what we stand for as a people who are fighting for genuine democracy will fight for us.”
Governor Fubara hinted of intelligence that mercenaries have been engaged within and outside the State to obstruct the elections, warning that such mercenaries will be adequately resisted.
The Governor assured that with God on the side of the State, and necessary information provided to relevant authorities involved in the election, the election will hold, results declared and elected officers sworn-in to discharge their responsibilities to the people at the grassroots.
He said, “I will also mention here: we are also aware that some mercenaries are being engaged within and outside the State. I feel sorry for whoever is going to be a victim of such thing. Because I know anybody who comes to obstruct this election will meet adequate and right resistance. It’s important that we defend this democracy, and we must start defending this democracy from the one that we have control over.
“But whichever way, I can assure you, God on our side, with the information we have given to the security agencies, the information we have given to all the authorities that are concerned, and are also needed in cause of this process, this election will hold, results will be declared, and the elected officers will be inaugurated, and a new government will commence as soon as possible.”
He assured to make the election process free and fair, and protect lives and property in the course of the election.
He added, “I can assure you, we took an oath before everyone of you. I swore before everyone that I will defend and protect the interest of Rivers State. And this particular responsibility, ensuring that this election holds is one of those responsibilities.
“You have all prepared for the election. We are going to make sure the process will be free and fair. As the umpire, we will also ensure that lives and property will be protected in the course of the election. What we request from you is go and perform your civic responsibility. Vote, support the candidates of your choice. Ensure that we take control of the democracy of our State. Ensure that you vote for the protection of lives and property of the people of this State. The State starts from the ward to the LGA, and from the LGA to the State. So, I want this State to be protected right from the point of the ward.
“You have my total support. I will ensure as the Governor and the Head of this Government, that we do all that is required, all that is needed to make sure that this process is driven to the end.”
Earlier in his remarks, the Rivers State Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Solsuema Osaro, reiterated their position to participate in the election as well as support the government to drive the process to logical conclusion.
Osaro noted the plans by some persons to stall the electoral process and the court judgments warranting RSIEC to conduct the elections, promising to stand by RSIEC to conduct free, fair and transparent election that will stand the test of time in the nation.
He added, “Your Excellency, it is at a moment like this in the history of our State that patriotism is well defined. The members of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), Rivers State Council, have come in here today to visit you and to assure you that because of all the empirical activities and people- oriented programmes you have established, you’ve embarked upon, you are doing in Rivers State, and especially because of the most important election that affects the generality of the people in the State, the grassroots people, the election that has to do with the conduct and exercise that will bring in elected local government chairmen and councillors across the 23 LGAs and the 319 wards in Rivers State, that informed why we have come to see you, Your Excellency.
“It is true that some persons have attempted and are tempting to disrupt the entire exercise, but we have come to show you that we are standing tall with you in your quest to give us elected local government chairmen and councillors in Rivers State.
“We are well informed of the fact that some persons went to court to stop INEC from giving RSIEC the necessary voters register to conduct this election that is slated for 5th of October, 2024. We also are very much aware too that a competent court of jurisdiction sitting here in Rivers State has also given RSIEC the authority, the mandate to conduct this election, and has also mandated RSIEC to use the 2023 voters register to conduct this election in Rivers State.
“As the pillars of democracy, as the vehicles through which elected officers are driven into various positions, the political parties have arisen to say that we stand in solidarity with the desire of the state government and that of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) to conduct free, fair, transparent election in Rivers State that will stand Rivers State out in the comity of nations as a model state.
“We are quite aware that on the 11th of July, 2024, the highest court of the land, being the Supreme Court of Nigeria, gave a judgment that is to the fact that every state in Nigeria must have elected local government officials in the country. This Rivers State is not an exception. We are, therefore, standing on the judgment of the Supreme Court as well as the judgment delivered by Justice I. P. C. Igwe of the Rivers State High Court to say that the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), our members are prepared, are ready, willing to participate in this election.
“As patriotic citizens of Rivers State, we know all you have done and all you are doing to ensure that we have good governance in Rivers State, and if at this point in time, some detractors don’t want us to succeed, we have made it very clear that all of us that believe in the ideals of good Rivers State, purposeful leadership-driven Rivers State under your administration, we stand tall with you to ensure that we succeed.”
According to him, “The success of this election is to the benefit of Rivers people. The success of this election will allow Rivers people have the government at the grassroots that will empower the people, and whoever intends through covert or covert means, to stop this democratic process that is very important to Rivers people, we have arisen in one voice, one strength, one energy, to say we will stand for an ideal Rivers State were local government election will be conducted and elected officers will emerge through free, fair and transparent election that once again stand Rivers State out as a model state in Nigeria,” he added.
Eighteen out of the 19 registered political parties were represented at the meeting, including AA, AAC, ACCORD, ADC, ADP, APGA, APC, BOOT, LP, NCP, NNPP, APM, NRM, PRP, SDP, YP, YPP, and ZLP.