News

Coalition Demands Akwa’s Sack, Scrap Of NDDC Sole Administratorship

Published

4 years ago

July 18, 2022

A coalition of Niger Delta youth organisations, non-governmental organisations and stakeholders in the region, has called on President Muhammadu Buhari, to, as a matter of public urgency, proscribe the sole administratorship currently existing at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) and sack the Barrister Effiong Okon Akwa-led management team.
This was part of a 10-point communiqué reached by the coalition at the end of the Town Hall Meeting of the Niger Delta youth organisations and stakeholders convened by the Movement for the Survival of Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, over the weekend.
The communique reads, “That Mr. President should exhibit lawfulness and save the situation in the region, and as a matter of urgency, terminate the appointment of Barrister Effiong Okon Akwa, and scrap the office of the Sole Administratorship.”
“That the National Assembly should, as a matter of expedience, approve and authorise the release of all funds due the interventionist agency, like the NDDC.
“That the employment carried out under Senator Godswill Akpabio’s supervision be halted, especially employment done within 2021 up on till recently, as the process was lopsided, inequitable and lacked due process. We want the honourable minister to revisit the process.
“That we condemn, in its entirety, the obnoxious Water Resources Bill currently on the floor of the National Assembly. It should be thrown out as it has no value to the socio-economic development and the unity of the country as it is contrived to exploit the Niger Delta region.
“That the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs should compel Setraco and RCC to immediately mobilise to site for the onward repairs of the entire stretch of the East-West Road, particularly the Ogoni axis that has turned to a death trap as it has made the region loose monumentally.
“That it was also agreed in the meeting that the Minister of Niger Delta Affairs and his counterpart in the Ministry of Works and Housing should liaise and bring to fruition this lingering road network to alleviate the age-long sufferings of the people of the region.
“That NDDC contractors be paid for jobs done upon due verification to enhance development in the region.
“That the honourable minister should review the about-to-be-paid water hyacinth contract before payment.
“That the minister should convoke a stakeholders’ summit with traditional rulers, stakeholders and youth leaders, to have first-hand information from the people.
“That operational autonomy of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) be given concrete remediation plan and the use of best available technology for the Ogoniclean-up. Also, that the Federal Government should release their part of the counterpart funding to expedite work on the Bodo-Bonny Road.
“That MOSIEND isdirected to facilitate a consultative meeting between the Minister of Environment, Works and Housing; Niger Delta Affairs; and minister of state for petroleum for synergy in pursuit of development strides in the region.”

By: Akujobi Amadi

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.