News
Wike Unveils Abua Central Market, Omelema Hall
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike,last Friday, formally inaugurated the Abua Central Ultramodern General Market and the Omelema Town Hall projects built and equipped by the Chairman of the Local Government Council, Hon. Daniel E. O. Daniel.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Tammy Danagogo, the governor expressed satisfaction with the performance of the Daniel-led administration in the area of project delivery.
Danagogo said, the governor has asked him”not only to come and commission the projects, but to also see how the local government is faring and how thechairman is performing, and come back to report to him.
“I want to commend your chairman for embarking on projects that really touch the lives of the people. I also want to extol the chairman, for stamping his feet, as one of the performing chairmen in Rivers State.
“What you have done today, you have declared to us that indeed, you are a son of the governor.
“The governor is only interested in chairmen who are performing. What I have seen here shows that, indeed, in this local government, the governor has a true son who is towing his steps of delivering quality projects”.
The SSG stated that “the only way to progress forward as a chairman after your tenure is performance”.
He hinted that the governor rose to limelight today because of his sterling performance while he was a local government chairman, adding that the LG chairmen under PDP ought to emulate the governor.
Speaking further, he disclosed that the governor hasreserved appointments and projects for the people of Abua/Odual Local Government Area before the expiration of his tenure.
According to him, “the governor has the intentions of developing every part of the state, what we have to do is to give him the enabling environment.
“Before he leaves office, the appointment you are looking for, you will get it, the projects you are looking for, you will get them.
“Whatever you want starts by appreciating the ones you already have, when you appreciate what you have, every other thing follows”, he added.
On his part, the member representing Abua/Odual Constituency in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Solomon Sokolo Kirifa, cleared the air on some unfounded speculations that Abua/Odual Local Government Area was not captured in the Rivers State 2022 Appropriation Bill.
The member took his time out to highlight key projects that would be executed in Abua/Odual LGA, as captured in the 2022 Rivers State Budget including the construction of Abua to Degema, Emoh, Iyak and Ighom, Elogh to Egbolom access road; construction of Agada 1, Agada 2, to Dighiriga, Emelesue to Serebia and Ogbokuma; Ayama, Omokwa and Otari Road; renovation and equipping of Aminigboko General Hospital; among others.
Sokolo urged the people to disregard conspiracy theories from naysayers, and continue to believe in the Rivers State governor to deliver quality projects to the people of Abua/Odual Local Government Area.
Welcoming the dignitaries, Chairman of the PDP in Abua/Odual LGA, Hon. Oye Fubara Igenewari said that the chairman has turned the LGA into a construction site, and that the market project was located at the hub of the Abua/Odual economy, adding that it was strategic to the overall development of the LGA.
Providing the project description, the Supervisor for Works in the LGA, Hon. Zinami Fyneroad Iwariso said: the market was awarded first in 2011 by the previous administration but was abandoned.
He added that with the advent of Daniel-led administration, a need assessment was conducted, and it was ascertained that the market was key to the economy of the LGA; hence the urgency for its completion, adding that market was re-awarded in September, 2019.
Zinami said that the market was made up of 120 lock up shops in a storey building in three blocks and that it was at 40percent completion when the Daniel-led administration came on board and completed it for the benefit of the people of Abua/Odual.
Earlier, the Chairman of council, Hon. Daniel E. O. Daniel had stated that he was overwhelmed by the turn out of the people to witness the epoch-making event, and thanked everyone for turning out en masse to grace the occasion.
He pledged his unflinching commitment towards providing the needed development for the people he has so sworn an oath to serve.
Dignitaries who graced the occasion are the Deputy Chairman, Hon. Ibura Igoma Emmanuel; former EDFA NDDC and Leader of the party in the LGA, Hon. I. H. Ogiri;Leader of the Local Government 8th Assembly, Hon. Mercy Igenewari; and all councillors.
Others were former council chairman, Hon Raphael Muzan Ekpelu; Dr. Oyekwutor Ukwe; permanent secretaries, principal officers of the LGA, elders and chiefs of various communities.
News
We’ll Expand Socio-Economic Opportunities For All Rivers People -Fubara ……As Wike Bows Out

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared his administration’s resolve to expand the existing socio-economic opportunities in order to engender prosperity for all Rivers people.
Fubara made this declaration on Monday at the General Yakubu Gowon Stadium, Elekahia, venue of his swearing-in as the sixth democratically elected governor of Rivers State.
Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, administered the oath of office on the new governor and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu.
Thereafter, the former governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, handed over the flag of Rivers State and handover notes to his successor.
Fubara, in his inaugural address titled “Together, Let’s Consolidate the New Rivers State”, noted the poor state of the national economy, but promised that his administration would take measures to diversify Rivers economy and insulate it so that it can grow.
He also assured of promoting the climate of ease of doing business in the State to attract direct foreign investment capable of empowering Rivers people.
“The primary responsibility of a new government is to do its best to advance the security and well-being of the State and its citizens.
“Therefore, as we undertake our responsibilities, we promise to stay the course, commit to cooperative governance and expand opportunities for everyone. The wishes of our people for a happy life are our mission in politics.
“We will prioritise the well-being of the State and citizens with a renewed focus on economic growth, people-centred projects and social services”, he said.
He said further that, “We will improve the ease of doing business and sustain a congenial fiscal regime to attract local and foreign direct investments to stimulate greater economic activities, create wealth and improve citizens’ livelihoods.
“We will adopt a re-industrialization policy master plan and partner with the private sector to revive or establish viable industries to create jobs and empower our people.
“We will also support the growth of small businesses and encourage commercial agriculture to achieve food security, industrialization and improved living standards for citizens.”
Fubara added that his administration is already building on the successes of his predecessor and will construct more projects including the Port Harcourt ring road.
According to him, there shall be healthy partnership with private investors to provide integrated inter-modular public transportation system in the State.
“We witnessed unprecedented growth in infrastructure in the last eight years, but there’s still more to do.
“We will follow our leader’s footsteps to invest in capital projects, including roads, bridges, electricity supply to our rural areas, and social housing.
“We will, therefore, partner with the private sector to develop an integrated multimodal public transportation system to advance mass mobility and access to socio-economic opportunities across the state.
“We will also construct the Port Harcourt Ring Road to enhance the mobility of goods and services across the State”.
Fubara said the challenges in the health sector like inadequate manpower and corruption would be addressed to achieve optimal performance.
In the education sector, he promised to provide smart classrooms for students to prepare for global competition, empower the youths with skills to become economically active while being connected to small and medium scale business opportunities.
He said, “We care about our youth. We know they need jobs, opportunities, empowerment and the freedom to build sound, promising futures. We will not abandon our youth to their fate. We will continue prioritizing education at all levels and empower our youth with the relevant skills and opportunities to become economically active, productive and prosperous.
“We believe in the job creation capacity of small and medium enterprises. And so, we shall facilitate targeted access to low-interest funds for youth entrepreneurs to start or improve their businesses, earn decent incomes and generate employment for themselves and others.”
The governor particularly acknowledged the achievements of his predecessor in the health sector saying, “We are also proud of the state’s achievements in the healthcare sector, particularly the construction of new primary healthcare centres, the Mother and Child Hospital, the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Diseases Diagnostic and Treatment Centre and the contributory Healthcare Insurance Law.
“With what is on the ground, it is evident that the primary challenges with our healthcare system are more with inadequate manpower, corruption, indiscipline and ineffective management”.
Fubara gave a firm assurance by saying: “I assure you that apart from completing all ongoing healthcare infrastructure projects, we will deal with all identified challenges and ensure that the healthcare system functions optimally to deliver affordable and efficient healthcare to citizens.
“We are equally proud of the State’s unprecedented educational advancement, especially in the last four years. Our public schools at all levels, irrespective of location, are some of the lovely and best-resourced in the country.”
According to him, his administration will consolidate on the progress made so far by “introducing smart schools and classrooms across the State to empower our children with world-class learning experiences and make Rivers State a knowledge hub.”
Fubara vowed to be hard on crime and criminality in the State saying, “We will be hard on crime and criminality. We will swiftly and firmly deal with anyone, regardless of status or position, rich or poor, who breaks our laws or dares to violate our environment, peace and security”.
The governor thanked civil servants for their support and promised regular payment of salary, gratuity, more training, promotion for them and housing for low income earners.
Describing the civil servants as members of his constituency, he said, “To our civil servants, I thank all of you for your invaluable contributions to the state’s progress over the years.
“We appreciate your indispensability and promise to meet all our obligations to you, including regular payment of wages, pensions, gratuity, training and promotions. All we ask is your continued patriotism, dedication, and enthusiasm in the execution of your official duties”.
He further promised to govern Rivers people with the fear of God, cognizance of the fact that Rivers is a Christian state.
He also assured the church and spiritual leaders of his administration robust partnership to enhance the moral and spiritual wellbeing of Rivers people.
“Rivers State is a Christian State, and God is our foundation. We shall govern with the fear of God and stay strong to our Christian values of trust, faith, love, care and sacrifice.”
“We shall deepen the inseparable ties between the Church and the State government for the benefit of our people. We assure the Christian Association of Nigeria and other spiritual leaders of our sincere friendship, support and solidarity.
“We will continue to support and work with the Church to defend our faith, advance our values and enhance our people’s moral and spiritual well-being”, he assured.
At the Government House, Port Harcourt, the governor hung the official portraits of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, his own and that of his predecessor, Wike.
News
… Appoints Nwaeke HoS, Ideozu Acountant General

The Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved two new strategic appointments in the state Civil Service.
In the latest development, the governor has approved the appointment of the most senior civil servant and permanent secretary, Dr. George Nwaeke as Head of Service, Rivers State.
He also approved the appointment of Dr Uche Ideozu as the new Accountant General of Rivers State.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications in Rivers State, Ibiwari Clapton-Ogolo, Esq, said that the appointments take immediate effect.
The two fresh appointments bring to six the number of appointments already made by the governor since assuming duties on Monday, May 29.
The first set of appointments was the nomination of four former commissioners under Governor Nyesom Wike as commissioner-designates.
The names are Prof Zaccheaus Adangor, Dr Dakorima George-Kelly, Isaac Kamalu, and Prof Prince Chinedu Mmom.
While Adangor was attorney general and commissioner for justice, George-Kelly was works commissioner, Kamalu was finance commissioner, and Mmom was education commissioner.
News
Fuel Scarcity: Tinubu Resumes Work, Meet With Emefiele, Kyari
President Bola Tinubu yesterday officially resumed work at the Presidential Villa, Abuja where he met with the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr Godwin Emefiele and the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mr. Mele Kyari.
This was the first official assignment by the President after his inauguration as the 16th President of the country at the Eagle Square, Abuja, on Monday.
The President arrived at the forecourt of the State House at about 2:30 pm through the quarter guard gate, which is his official entrance gate and was received by the Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, the Permanent Secretary, State House, Tijjani Umar, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila and the outgoing Director of Protocol, DOP.
Others who received him were Emefiele, Kyari and a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. James Faleke, among others.
The President went straight to his office with Emefiele, Kyari, Gbajabiamila, Faleke and others.
Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public, it may not be unconnected with the removal of fuel subsidy and the attendant fuel scarcity.
It is expected that the issue of unification of foreign exchange, recent Naira redesign, among others will also be discussed.
Recall that President Tinubu had during his inaugural speech announced that the subsidy has been removed and this immediately made filling stations to shut down operations across the country.
-
Special Edition2 days ago
Sports: Building On Wike’s Footprints
-
Entertainment6 hours ago
Memorable Landmarks In Nigeria’s Entertainment Industry
-
Special Edition2 days ago
Fubara: The Emergence Of A Political Dark Horse
-
News7 hours ago
Fubara Promises To Sustain Projects Delivery, Enhance Rivers Dignity
-
Ict/Telecom6 hours ago
Telecom Operators Move To Disconnect Banks Over N120bn USSD Debt
-
Special Edition2 days ago
Goodbye Mr Projects, Welcome Sim
-
Sports7 hours ago
Tinubu Urged To Tap Sports Goldmine
-
Rivers6 hours ago
Peace In Evo Kingdom, Our Target – Christ Embassy