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Rivers Is Safe For Business, Nsirim Charges PHCCIMA To Lead Advocacy
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim has again declared that Rivers State is safe for business.
Nsirim made the declaration when the newly elected executive body of the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Port Harcourt, last Monday.
The commissioner charged PHCCIMA to articulate strategies that would project the state to the outside world as a place that is safe for business.
“We want PHCCIMA to have a voice. The voice of the chamber needs to be louder because we must articulate strategies that will begin to project Rivers State to the outside world.
“I don’t think there is any state that has integrated and comprehensive security architecture like what Governor Nyesom Wike has put in place in Rivers State. We have the conventional police force, the Operation Sting, the C4i and the Neighbourhood Watch”.
Nsirim said Wike has done his part by providing the right leadership, building the right infrastructure and making the state safe for businesses to thrive, adding that what is needed is for the voice of PHCCIMA to be heard louder about the business opportunities that abound in the state.
“Governor Wike has done his part. He has also properly streamlined the tax regime to ensure that businesses do not suffer multiple taxation. We need to begin to develop the synergy that will begin to build on what he has done for Rivers State.
“We cannot quantify in monetary terms how much this administration has impacted in businesses. That is why Governor Wike was quick to set up the Ease of Doing Business Council strategically designed to build a framework for the expansion of businesses.
“So, we need to make our voice to come out strong. The world must hear it loud and clear that Rivers State is open for business.
“QatarAirlines will be flying Port Harcourt from March 3, while Turkish Airlines have been flying Port Harcourt. Airlines like that won’t come to a state that is not safe. Those are the kind of things the chamber needs to leverage on to tell the world that Rivers State is safe”, he said.
The commissioner noted that in the midst of perceived insecurity in the Niger Delta, oil companies carry out their exploration and exploitation activities unhindered, adding that the design by detractors to demarket the state is to make capital flight possible for themselves while the goose that lays the golden eggs suffered.
“We must work together to make people understand that we have come to understand the political economy of the kind of thing they do to us as a people,” he said.
Nsirim congratulated the president and members of the new executive of PHCCIMA, and expressed confidence in the ability of the new leadership to change the narrative.
He recalled the collaboration the ministry got from PHCCIMA in its drive of the #OurStateOurResponsibility advocacy campaign, and assured them of his ministry’s readiness to partner with the new leadership to enable it achieve set goals.
In his remarks, the President of PHCCIMA, Sir Mike Elechi commended the commissioner for effectively articulating and projecting the developmental strides of Wike in the state.
He said the organisation under the new leadership needed to partner with the state government through the Ministry of Information and Communications to add value to the state.
He said the organisation has plans to reposition Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and exploitation of economic potentials in the local government areas to drive alternative resources to oil in the state.
Elechi stressed the need for policies that would stimulate the growth of the non-oil sector of the state economy.
He said the chamber was planning a meeting with local government chairmen in the state with the view to taking census of all investible raw materials in the local government areas and showcasing them to the world through its website.
Elechi also stressed the need for the ministry to set up its desk in the chamber with the view to assisting in the promotion of its activities to the world.
By: John Bibor
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene