News

Dame Jonathan Lauds Lawmaker Over Empowerment Scheme

Published

4 years ago

December 24, 2021

Former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan has lauded the member representing Ogbia Federal Constituency of Bayelsa State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Azibapu Fred Obua for his various empowerment schemes and developmental initiatives.
Dame Jonathan commendation, during the week at the distribution of empowerment packs for citizens and constituents of the Ogbia Federal Constituency by the lawmaker which held at Emeyl two Community of the Ogbia Council area.
The Tide learnt that the distribution of the empowerment starter packs by the Lawmaker would make it a record second time in less than five months the House of Representatives member would be sharing empowerment packs to his constituents in the second year of his election into the Green Chambers.
The erstwhile first woman of Nigeria noted that she has been kept abreast of all the empowerment programmes and projects of the lawmaker, saying that Hon Obua has used all available mechanisms towards ensuring that the Ogbia people, especially women and youths are catered for within available limited resources and programmes.
“Honourable Azibapu Fred Obua has done well for the Ogbia people. He has been empowering women and youths of Ogbia Kingdom with various skills acquisition programmes and many other ways.
“I’m abreast with his developmental programmes and initiatives. The Ogbia people are pleased with him.
“Those who have received this empowerment starter packs today should endeavour to make good use of it so that they can add more value to themselves. Obua has done well”, she said.
Amongst the empowerment starter packs were no fewer than 159 sewing machines, digital cameras as well as sundry items.
Speaking to newsman on the sidelines of the programme, Obua described the Ogbia Federal Constituency as the cradle of Nigeria’s oil and gas economy.
He averred that but for his extant position in the House as a non-ranking member from the leading opposition party in the House, he would have surpassed his current performance in the area of empowerment and constituency development programmes and projects.
“All these empowerment programmes are going on in my Constituency because I’m the one representing the Ogbia people in the Green House.
“We’ve had others before me ,though they’re from different professional background, it’s good to know that experience and professional leanings have a role in one’s performance in any position.
“So you can see that our people are happy. We’re empowering not based on political party. We’ve members of the opposition parties also benefiting from our various empowerment programmes.
“As at the last election figures, INEC said we’ve over 109,000 registered voters in the entire Ogbia Federal Constituency. And so it’s a difficult arithmetic, but we’ve still managed to solve it by empowering and distributing these packs unbiased and we’re glad we did it. Those who didn’t get it today should exercise patience. Tomorrow is another day”, he said.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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.

Here is a clean, professional, publication-ready edit of your report with improved flow, clarity, and SEO strength while retaining all facts:

News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

1 day 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.