News
Fubara’s Governorship, A Divine Project, Obuah Affirms …As Rivers Equity Group Outreach Berths At Omoku
The choice of Sir Siminialayi Fubara as the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Rivers State has been described as a divine one.
Former Chairman of the PDP in the state, Brother Felix Obuah, stated this in Omoku, last Tuesday, when members of the Rivers State Equity Group visited him in his country home.
Obuah noted that the manner in which Fubara emerged as the PDP flag bearer was a classic case of the hand of God in the affairs of men, which had continued to trail the candidate right from his time as a civil servant.
He, therefore, described the task of ensuring that Fubara emerged victorious in the 2023 governorship election as a divine project which must be accomplished by well-meaning people of Rivers State.
“Nobody makes or gives power. Power belongs to God. No matter what happens or who you are,if you are not destined to occupy a position, you will not get it …”. Fubara has been destined by God to become the governor of Rivers State, and we must work towards achieving it”.
While reacting to the supportgiven to the Equity Group by the PDP candidate for their outreach programme, Obuah noted that he had known Fubara for quite some time, and knows his ideals and attitude towards human capacity development and empowerment.
“This is just the beginning, when he is not yet elected; he is supporting a just cause like the medical outreach. You can imagine what he is going to do when he becomes governor in terms of human capacity development and empowerment. That’s why I said it is a divine project, and I am supporting it to the fullest”, Obuah stated.
Earlier, the Leader of the Rivers Equity Group, Elder Clapton Ogolo, had intimated the host that they were in Omoku, headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area in continuation of the group’s medical outreach and Electoral Law sensitisation to prepare the people towards the 2023 elections.
Ogolo informed the host that the group embarked on the medical outreach, especially in identifying with the eye problems of the people to enable them live a better and fulfilling life.
He said that so far, the group has visited Asari-Toru, Oyigbo, Gokana, and Eleme LGAs of the state for similar exercises.
He commended the Patron of the Rivers Equity Group, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, for the support granted the group to embark on the medical outreach and Electoral Law sensitisation, noting that his prioritising of the welfare of the people of the state was worthy of commendation.
In his remarks, the Deputy Leader of the Rivers Equity Group, Sir J.P. Nalley, briefly introduced the group and its activities ranging from enlightenment on the Electoral Act, free medical services, especially on eyes check-up, treatment, issuing of free eyeglasses and referrals.
He noted that the group, in collaboration with the Linsolar Eye Clinic, had earlier taken the programme to Asari-Toru, Gokana, Eleme local government areas.
Nalley said that prior to venturing into the series of medical outreach/Electoral Act enlightenment programme, Rivers Equity Group had earlier organised series of enlightenment campaigns on Electoral Act and nonviolent elections in Port Harcourt and Oyigbo before going back to the drawing board to brainstorm, and arrived at what the need of the people was, hence the introduction of the medical outreach alongside the enlightenment programme.
He hinted that apart from the efforts of members of the group and a few other well-meaning persons, the Rivers State PDP gubernatorial candidate for the upcoming governorship election in the state, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, was a principal supporter for the project.
Also speaking,a senior lawyer and legal luminary, Barrister Emeka Ichoku, who hails from ONELGA, thanked the group for honouring them with the visit, and wished them a pleasant stay throughout the period of the programme and a safe departure thereafter.
Meanwhile, the Rivers Equity Group, in its series of visits to LGAs for the medical outreach, berthed in Omoku, headquarters of ONELGA, last Tuesday, when over 300 persons were screened, provided with medicated eye glasses, drugs and the more serious cases referred for elaborate treatment.
The medical outreach is in partnership with Linsolar Eye Clinic, and saw the Chairman of ONELGA, Vincent Job, present eye glasses to some of the beneficiaries.
He commended the group for the project, and pledged his support.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
0:0
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.