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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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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene