News

‘Wike Has Invested N40bn In Kalabari’

Published

4 years ago

February 11, 2022

The Chairman of Rivers State Elders’ Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, has revealed that Governor Nyesom Wike has spent over N40billion in Kalabari Land project-wise since he assumed office in 2015.
Alabraba disclosed this at the civic reception held for Wike, last Saturday, at Abalama Community in Asari Toru Local Government Area of Rivers State.
He said the developmental projects the governor executed in Kalabari were worth over N40billion.
Alabraba, in his speech, told Wike: “We have come to say thank you to you because you’ve done for us what no other governor has done for us in Kalabari Land. During the campaigns, you went round the three Kalabari local governments and made promises. Today, all the promises have been fulfilled.
“Your Excellency, recently, we decided to take stock and carry out a forensic audit of all the developmental projects we have received, and our audit revealed that you have invested over N40billion in Kalabari area since your administration.
“This is unprecedented. This represents the highest investment in Kalabari area by any administration since the creation of Rivers State. Your Excellency, we cannot thank you enough.”
It was gathered that some of the projects done by Wike in Kalabari include the Trans-Kalabari Road; reconstruction of Nyemoni Grammar School, Abonnema; sandfilling and land reclamation in Kula Community, Akuku Toru LGA; Abonnema General Hospital; Abonnema-Obonoma Ring Road, Phase II; expansion of Kalabari National College, Buguma, Asari Toru LGA; reconstruction of State School 1&2, Obonoma; construction of Abonnema Fire Service Station; sandfilling and land reclamation in Abonnema; reconstruction of State School, Ilelema, ASALGA; sandfilling and land reclamation in Abalama; reconstruction of 8-classroom block at UPE Model Primary School, Buguma; construction of Degema Zonal Hospital; construction of Bille Primary Health Care Centre; reconstruction of Kalabari Girls High School, Buguma; sandfilling and land reclamation in Bakana Community; construction of Bille Waterfront/Jetty; etc.
Alabraba particularly thanked Wike for granting their request to construct the all-important Trans-Kalabari Road, and for appointing some of their sons and daughters into positions in his administration.
“Your Excellency, recall that in December, 2019, Kalabari people, led by our traditional rulers, visited you in Government House to felicitate with you on your re-election as governor of Rivers State. One key request we made during that visit was the construction of the Trans-Kalabari Road. This laudable project, conceived 17 years ago, has been so politicised by successive administrations that it remained a dream for our people all these years. You graciously granted our request.
“Today, the dream of the Kalabari people has turned into a reality as the construction of the phase one segment of the Trans-Kalabari Road is currently ongoing, and we know that like all projects initiated by your administration, it will be completed and commissioned before the end of your tenure. Your Excellency, we thank you.
“Coming to appointments, Your Excellency, we cannot fail to thank you for the choice of our proud daughter, Dr Ipalibo Harry-Banigo, as the deputy governor of Rivers State for the two terms of your administration; the appointment of our son, Dr Tammy Danagogo, as secretary to the state government, and of course, the appointment of many other Kalabari sons and daughters into positions of trust in government.”
Alabraba further thanked Wike for naming some landmark monuments after illustrious sons of Kalabari Land.
“Your Excellency, your love for the Kalabari people was again demonstrated recently when you named the Port Harcourt Campus of Nigerian Law School after an illustrious Kalabari son, Dr Nabo Graham-Douglas, SAN.
“We cannot forget that you have earlier named the Rivers State Cultural Centre after Rex Lawson. Thank you very much,” he said.
In his response shortly after his conferment with the traditional title of Seibi Dokubo of Kalabari Land (which means he who does good things for Kalabari), Governor NyesomWike thanked the Kalabaris for honouring him.
He promised to award contract for the construction of the second phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road if he gets certain funds he is expecting.

By: Nelson Chukwudi

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

4 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

4 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.