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Fubara, Assembly Eulogise Late Lawmaker At Funeral, Promise To Support Family

Published

2 years ago

October 18, 2023

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described late Hon. Adonye Kelly Diri, who died at age 56, as a good man who lived a peaceful life and impacted his community positively.
Fubara spoke at the funeral service organised in honour of a former Rivers lawmaker representing Opobo/Nkoro Constituency in the State House of Assembly, late Hon. Adonye Kelly Diri, which held at St. Marks Anglican Church, Kalaibiama in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area.
The governor expressed sadness that his first official visit to Opobo Town, his country home, was to attend the burial of one of his strong political supporters and a former member of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and pledged not to abandon the surviving wife and children.
Fubara harped on the need for people to use their time while on earth to build positive relationships and leave lasting impact on people, which is a more enduring legacy than accumulation of material wealth.
He enjoined the church to put the bereaved family in continuous prayers, and called on friends and political associates of the former lawmaker not to abandon his family.
Fubara noted, “Blessed are those who see beautiful things in humble places, which other people do not see. Adonye was a beautiful product. It takes only those that are humble, who search for truth, to see the quality of this young man.”
In his exhortation, the Bishop of Niger Delta Diocese of the Anglican Communion, Rt Rev. Emmanuel Oko-Jaja, urged the congregation to conduct their lives as sojourners on earth with consciousness of preparing for eternal life, which requires of them to amend their ways and to live life that pleases God.
While receiving the remains of the late lawmaker and former transitional committee chairman, late Hon. Adonye Diri at the Council Secretariat, Opobo Town, Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Dr Enyiada Cookey-Gam, said that the late chairman was a man of the people, and grassroots mobiliser.
Speaking at the valedictory session in honour of the late legislator, Cookey-Gam, described the deceased as an astute politician, a man who has left an indelible mark on the sands of time, and a dedicated party man who single-handedly organised and put the party in a good shape in 2013/2014 during the formation of GDI in the state.
He said that Diri contributed immensely to the growth and development of the LGA in various ways and in different capacities as chairman and a lawmaker.
The chairman said that the council under his administration would erect an edifice to immortalise the name of the deceased in the LGA.
He said that Diris’ death remains a great loss not only to his immediate family, but the entire LGA.
He, however, encouraged the bereaved family to take solace in God, while praying for the peaceful repose of the departed.
Late Diri was a former Transitional Committee chairman in 2016, and also contested and won election to serve in the state House of Assembly in 2015.
While his case was in court, majority of people in Opobo continued to show support for him.
He later reclaimed his mandate at the Appeal Tribunal, and served as state Assembly member from (2015 -2023).
Earlier, the Rivers State House of Assembly at its 73rd sitting, last Friday, had held a valedictory session in honour of the former member, who represented Opobo/Nkoro State Constituency in the Eighth and Ninth Assembly. Speaking at the valedictory session, serving and former members extolled the humane and philanthropic qualities of their late colleague which they said endeared him to many.In his eulogy, the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Martin Chike Amaewhule, described late Diri as an easy-going former colleague, whose kind and peaceful disposition was most appealing.The Speaker recalled that he served in the Health Committee with the late Diri in the Eighth Assembly, and was very pleased with his amiable work ethics and panache; adding that the late lawmaker would be greatly missed by his family, former colleagues and friends.Amaewhule prayed for the family, and urged them to take solace in God, as their loved one makes his final journey.Many Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) faithful, leaders, legislators, government functionaries and dignitaries, friends, family and well-wishers attended the funeral service.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 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

2 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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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 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.