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Fubara, Assembly Eulogise Late Lawmaker At Funeral, Promise To Support Family
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.
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RSG Cancels ?134BN Secretariat Contract, Orders Refund Of ?20BN Mobilisation … Revalidates Four Projects
The Rivers State Executive Council has revoked the ?134bn contract awarded to the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) for the renovation, retrofitting, and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex by the State of Emergency Administration.
The council directed the immediate refund of the ?20bn mobilization fee already paid to the contractor.
Relatedly, the Council also approved the revalidation of the bidding processes for four contracts, consisting of the renovation of the State Secretariat Complex, construction of reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation works in several riverine communities of Opobo/Nkoro, and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas. The projects earlier advertised for which bid documents were cancelled by the Emergency Administration and fees returned to the companies that had earlier purchased them.
The decisions were reached during the State Executive Council meeting held on Thursday at the Government House, Port Harcourt, and presided over by Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
Briefing newsmen, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart explained that the contracts had been awarded in a hasty manner without following due process. He said the council, therefore, approved the revalidation of the bidding process for all four contracts that were earlier advertised in national dailies on February 19, 2025.
With the revalidation process now on, Dr. Ezekiel-Hart stated that a fresh bidding will be advertised in newspapers for competent and experienced contractors to prequalify and submit both technical and commercial bids.
He listed the projects to include, “The construction of 4.8km reinforced concrete shoreline protection and reclamation of Queenstown, Epellema, Oloma, and Minima communities in Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area in Rivers State. The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Ndoni-Onukwu, Isikwu, and Aziazagi communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area.
“The construction of 2.5km shoreline protection and reclamation in Utuechi, Obiofu, Isala, Ani-Eze, and Odugri communities in Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area. The renovation, retrofitting and furnishing of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex,” he added.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr. Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, announced that the council approved the constitution of a committee to develop a proposal for the creation of Computer-Based Test (CBT) Centres and ICT Laboratories across the three senatorial districts of the state.
She explained that the initiative is in line with the Federal Government’s directive that beginning in 2026, all examinations conducted by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examinations Council (NECO) will be computer-based.
The committee, chaired by the Deputy Governor, has the Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretaries from the Ministries of Education, Works, Information and Communications and Commissioner for Energy as members. Dr. Uzoma-Nwogu said the move will prepare Rivers youths for a digital future and improve the quality of education across the state.
On issues of employment, the Commissioner for Employment Generation and Economic Empowerment, Dr. Chisom Gbali, said the council reviewed ongoing efforts to create jobs for Rivers youths. He disclosed that his ministry has been directed to develop a framework for job creation and economic empowerment, noting that the government is determined to open up more opportunities for the young population.
“We want to assure Rivers youths that there will be a rising tide of employment and steady waves of economic empowerment,” Dr. Gbali said. “We know our Governor, when he makes a promise, he ensures it is fulfilled.”
On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Sirawoo, said council also deliberated extensively on the recent flash floods experienced in some parts of the state. He said the council directed immediate remedial intervention to address the situation, and cautioned residents against the indiscriminate disposal of waste into drainage channels and building on waterways, which worsens flooding.
Dr. Sirawoo further noted that Governor Fubara remains deeply committed to the development of Rivers State and determined to accelerate the pace of governance despite time lost. He added that the administration’s renewed focus and energy will soon place Rivers State firmly back on the path of sustainable growth and progress.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the completion of the 62.650km Port Harcourt Ring Road project, despite the setbacks that have slowed its progress.
The Governor gave the assurance during an on-site inspection tour of the project on Monday, where he emphasised that the state government remains resolute in its determination to deliver the massive infrastructure for public use.
Addressing journalists at the Eneka Flyover axis of the project, Governor Fubara stated that his visit was to verify the level of compliance and commitment shown by the construction firm, Julius Berger Nigeria Plc.
Governor Fubara noted that discussions with the contractor had been ongoing to ensure that work resumes at full capacity after a period of financial challenges that affected the project’s continuity.
“You are aware that this project was, I won’t say abandoned, but somehow, for lack of funds, the contractor withdrew from the site. We have been discussing with them, and they gave me their word that although we have not finished all the discussions, they have already moved back to site, and I’m here to confirm that.”
The Governor described the Port Harcourt Ring Road project, which traverses six local government areas, as one of the most significant infrastructure undertakings in the state’s history, noting that its completion would not only ease traffic congestion in the capital city but also stimulate economic activities across multiple local government areas.
Governor Fubara reiterated his administration’s resolve to continue prioritising infrastructure development as a foundation for economic growth and social progress.
“I want to make this promise to our good people of Rivers State,” the Governor declared. “This project that we started, by the special grace of God, we are going to complete it. We owe our people a responsibility to deliver on our commitments, and this project will not be an exception,” he added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the 2025 Batch B, Stream II National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members deployed to the State, to use the NYSC skill acquisition training programme to build capacity.
Governor Fubara gave the charge on Tuesday when he declared closed, the 2025 Batch B Stream II orientation exercise in the State.
Represented by the newly sworn-in Secretary to the State Government and Chairman NYSC State Governing Board, Hon. Benibo Anabraba, Governor Fubara enjoined the Corps members to embrace skill acquisition wholeheartedly in order to elevate themselves as wealth creators and employers of labour.
“Take Rivers State as your home. Be assured of the warmth, hospitality, and accommodating disposition of the good of our people at all times.
“Take the skill acquisition and entrepreneurship development post camp training very seriously and equip yourselves with the capacity to compete favourably in the nation’s huge economic space,” he stressed.
The Governor called on the Corps members to see their mobilization into the NYSC Scheme as a fundamental way to provide humanitarian services.
“Remember that you owe it to yourself, family, and the nation, the responsibility to serve selflessly and honourably,” he admonished.
In his farewell address, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Mr. Moses Oleghe appealed to the Corps members to use the opportunity of the service year to discover their true purpose.
He further encouraged them to embody selfless service and empathy in serving the people.
The colourful ceremony witnessed a vibrant parade.