News

Consider Elective Position As Privilege To Serve, Woke Tasks LG Bosses

Published

3 years ago

October 24, 2022

The Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Emeka Woke, has charged council chairmen in the state to consider their position as a privilege from God to render service to their people.
Woke said no elected council chairman in Rivers State has any justification not to deliver the dividends of democracy to his people, because all the councils get their federal allocation in full.
The chief of staff made the assertion in Bonny Island over the weekend, when he commissioned the Abraham Hart Bridge constructed by the Chairman of Bonny Local Government Council, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox.
Woke, who observed a minute silence in honour of the immediate past council chairman of Bonny, late Hon. David Irimagha, stated that one of the hallmarks of good governance was the ability of government to provide basic infrastructure that improve the living condition of the citizenry.
He urged council chairmen and councillors to bear in mind at all times that their position was a privilege from God to render service to their people.
The chief of staff commended the council chairman for executing projects that directly impact the lives of the people of Bonny.
“The chairman would not have been able to execute all the projects she has executed, if the state government had decided to squeeze the local councils.
“I want to put it on record: since the inception of this administration in 2015 till date, the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike, has not one day tampered with the funds of local councils.”
Based on this, Woke maintained that no elected council chairman has any excuse not to execute projects that would transform the lives of the people.
Woke noted that Dame Claude-Wilcox’s potentials as a leader may never have been realised, if not for the vision of Wike, that made it mandatory for women to be elected as vice chairmen of all the 23 councils in Rivers State.
“I want to encourage you that you should not rest on your oars. The people didn’t know that you will do well, and that goes to speak volumes of the vision of our leader, Chief Nyesom Wike, who made it mandatory that every local government council should have a woman as vice chairman.
“And I am sure if that mandate was not given, we wouldn’t have been able to identify your potential, nobody would have known that any Bonny woman would have been able to perform in office. We thank God for the wisdom and vision He has given to Governor, Nyesom Wike, and we thank you for not disappointing the PDP. You have done well.”
The chief of staff commended Bonny council councillors, particularly, those that have worked in synergy with the chairman to attract projects to their constituencies.
Woke further stated that the conferment of the “Distinguished Award In Infrastructure Delivery” in public service on Governor Nyesom Wike, by President Muhammadu Buhari, was a proof that the resources of Rivers State were being utilised for the overall benefit of the people.
“Opposition Federal Government has confirmed that the government in Rivers State is doing well, and has used the resources of Rivers State very well. That is why they gave our governor award.”
Earlier, the Bonny Local Government Council Chairman, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox had said since assumption of office, her administration had considered the many challenges faced by the people of the council, adding that concerted efforts were being made to address them.
Some of the projects commissioned include, the renovated Coal Beach Motor Park and the Upgraded Coal Beach Boat Terminal; a VIP Car Park, a small walk bridge connecting the waiting hall to the long jetty walkway.
Others were, reconstructed and furnished Customary Court; Council Secretariat Store Room, improved and furnished Council Hall, newly constructed Bishop Gabriel Pepple Road and Abraham Hart Bridge.
Dame Claude-Wilcox also commended the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader in Bonny, Dr. Rodaford LongJohn and members of the 9th Legislative Assembly for their support.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

13 hours 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

14 hours 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

14 hours 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.