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Rivers Crisis: INC Urges Ijaw To Rally Round Fubara …We’ll Mobilise Two million Nigerian Youths To Defend Fubara -Youth Coalition …Chastises Police For Attacking Gov
Following reports of political crisis in Rivers State, the ljaw National Congress (INC) has urged all Ijaw sons and daughters to rally round the State governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara
The Congress also advised the former Governor of the State, Nyesom Wike, to concentrate on his responsibilities as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and stop interfering in the running of government in the State.
INC, in a statement by its National President, Prof. Benjamin Ogle Okaba, said, “The attention of the jaw National Congress has been drawn to a grand plot masterminded by the immediate past governor of River State, now the FCT Minister, Barrister Nyesom Wike to unlawfully impeach the duly elected Governor of River State, His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara who is barely five months in office as Governor of River State.
“The INC considers this development very worrisome and capable of generating an unwarranted state of insecurity and instability that can throw the entire Niger Delta and the Nigerian economy into serious crises.
“From reports gathered, Governor Fubara has done nothing wrong to warrant his removal except for the fact that he has decided not to remain a stooge to the immediate past Governor.
“The INC, therefore, condemns in its entirety this barbaric, selfish, nepotistic and unconstitutional act capable of derailing the process of democratic consolidation in Nigeria.
“Wike should be advised to concentrate on his responsibilities as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory Abuja and stop interfering and arm swinging the political machinery in River State to advance his personal and selfish desires.
“The INC is hereby calling on Mr. President and Commander in Chief President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to call his FCT Minister to order.
“The INC is calling on all jaw sons, daughters and friends to rally their support to the Governor of River State as an injustice to one jaw man is an injustice to over forty (40) million Ijaw people across the world.
“The ljaw Nation Is Watching Closely and will act decisively and appropriately at the right time”
Meanwhile, the Coalition of Nigerian Youth Leaders (CONYL), the umbrella body of all Nigerian youths in South South, South East, South West, North East, North Central, and North West geopolitical zones has condemned in strongest terms the attack on Fubara by policemen and other security agents using life bullets, teargas and other weapons.
The coalition also condemned the plot to impeach the governor using the instrumentality of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
The coalition , in a statement jointly signed by its President General, Comrade Goodluck Ibem; Leader, South South Youth Coalition (SSYC), Comrade Iniobong Sampson, and Comrade Junaid Abubakar of the Arewa Youth Vanguard For Good Governance (AYVGG), condemned the attack on Fubara and promised to mobilise two million youths to defend him.
The statement read, “The attack on Governor Fubara by security agents with life bullets, teargas and other weapons is a confirmation that there were on a mission to assassinate the Governor. This is madness taken too far and we condemn it in its entirety.
“It is very clear to all that the Governor has done nothing wrong to warrant an impeachment but because he has refused to share the commonwealth of the good people of Rivers State to a few, some persons wants him impeached. But we the people say a capital “NO” to their evil plot on our democracy.
“It amounts to a coup against democracy for some persons to contemplate impeaching a governor that has barely stayed for 4 months in office who have not committed any impeachable offence whatsoever. These shows that some anti-democratic forces are at work and we warn them to stay clear from Rivers State.
“It is very unfortunate that some security agents and members of the Rivers State House of Assembly will allow themselves to be used by selfish individuals who do no mean well for the state to cause disaffection and uproar in the peaceful state of Rivers.
“Governor Fubara was elected by the good people of Rivers State to govern them and he should be allowed to do the job freely given to him by the good people of Rivers State without any form of interference from any quarters.
“Rivers State is too big for anyone or a few group of persons to think they can just wakeup and order the impeachment of the executive governor elected by the people. Nigerians have overgrown that era and stage.
“We will mobilize 2 million Nigerian youths in solidarity to Governor Fubara for effective delivery of democracy dividends to the people of Rivers State who freely gave him his mandate.
“We call on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun to immediately arrest and prosecute those security agents who attacked Governor Fubara with life bullets, teargas and other dangerous weapons. The law must take it’s full cause on those airing officers.
“We call on Governor Similanayi Fubara to stand firm and strong to defend the mandate freely given to him by the good people of Rivers State who defied the rain, sun and harsh weather to cast their votes for him during the elections. It is him that the people know and it is him that they people will hold accountable.
“We call on the members of the Rivers State House of Assembly not to allow themselves to be used by anyone to cause disaffection and uproar in the state.
“We call on all Nigerians to standup in defense of democracy in Rivers State that is under attack by a few selfish individuals.
“We urge good people of Rivers state to stand solidly behind Governor Fubara who mean well for the state and is fully prepared to move the state to another level of growth and development”.
In its reaction, the Rivers State Police Command, in a terse statement by its spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, said it was on top of the security situations that occurred at the Rivers State House of Assembly Complex.
She said that a full-scale investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the situations and take immediate policing actions against anyone found wanting.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has called for renewed commitment, transparency, and collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector in the State.
The deputy governor particularly urged synergy between the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and the Primary Health Care Management Board towards improved healthcare delivery in the State.
?Prof. Odu made this call during the 2026 First Quarter Review Meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.
?She stressed the importance of honesty and urged all parties to be truthful and open in addressing challenges within the system.
?According to her, transparency remains critical to identifying and resolving underlying issues affecting healthcare delivery, noting that “if we are not truthful, we will not cure the disease, but merely cover it up.”
The deputy governor recounted a personal experience at a Primary Health Center where a patient, despite being duly registered under the RIVCIPP scheme with completed biometric capture, was still asked to make payment for services.
According to her, intervention by relevant authorities later confirmed the patient’s eligibility, exposing a communication gap between the scheme and healthcare providers.
Odu warned that such incidents could discourage community members from enrolling in the scheme, thereby undermining its objectives.
“When this happens, we are disenfranchising our people. The message that goes back to the community is that even when you register, you are still made to pay,” she stressed.
?While commending the leadership and staff of the Primary Health Care Management Board, Ministry of Health, Development Partners as well as other supporting units, for their efforts, ty deputy governor stressed that performance should not lead to complacency.
She urged stakeholders to continuously strive for improvement, raise standards, and leave lasting positive impacts within the system.
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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the opening of examination slip printing for candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB made the announcement yesterday, urging candidates to visit its website to download their slips ahead of the examination.
“Examination Slip Printing is now available. The slip contains details of the venue, date and time of your examination and gives you access to the examination hall,” the board said.
Candidates are to visit jamb.gov.ng and click on “2026 Slip Printing” to print their slips.
The development comes after JAMB dismissed a viral press release falsely claiming the examination had been postponed.
The board described the notice as “malicious and fake” and urged candidates to disregard it.
The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The examination follows a mock test conducted on Saturday, March 28, which recorded technical difficulties at some Computer-Based Test centres.
Of the 224,597 candidates who registered for the mock, 152,586 sat for the test across 989 CBT centres nationwide.
JAMB said over 20 centres were delisted for technical inadequacies.
The board also warned candidates against fraudsters on WhatsApp claiming to facilitate score inflation, describing such claims as “false and criminal”, and threatening cancellation of registration or withholding of results for any candidate found involved.
Over two million candidates, according to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, registered for this year’s UTME.
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RSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
In a decisive step towards redefining its future, the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has formally unveiled its Third Five-Year (2026-2030) Strategic Development Plan.
The development plan is a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen the university’s position as a leading institution in Nigeria and beyond.
The unveiling took place during a high-level engagement with the Governing Council, Principal Officers and the university congregation, at the Convocation Arena, recently.
Delivering his remarks at the unveiling ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor of the university and Chairman of Council, Hon. Okey Wali, SAN, charged all members of the university community to align their activities with the strategic direction of the institution, emphasizing that the success of the plan depends on collective commitment.
He noted that the plan is not merely a document, but a working framework that requires discipline, accountability and unity of purpose.
According to the Pro-Chancellor, only through coordinated efforts from all stakeholders can the university fully realize its vision.
“I hereby invite the Visitor to the University, donor agencies, friends and well-wishers, and all stakeholders to support and fund the implementation of this strategic plan. We are confident that this plan will take RSU to greater heights in the comity of higher institutions,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described the Strategic Development Plan as a document that would enhance the university’s corporate strengths, mitigate current weaknesses, leverage its corporate opportunities and address perceived existential threats.
“This Five-Year Strategic Plan sets out RSU’s goals, strategic objectives, expected outcomes and impact, including intervention strategies,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman of the Strategic Development Planning Committee, Prof. Emeritus Joseph A. Ajienka, noted that the 2026-2030 Strategic Development Plan represents a bold reaffirmation of the university’s founding ideals of excellence, creativity, innovation and inclusivity, aimed at positioning the institution to respond effectively to contemporary challenges in higher education.
Prof. Ajienka, who is also a member of the Governing Council, disclosed that the plan was developed through an extensive and inclusive consultative process, which he said reflects contributions from Faculties, Departments, Satellite Campuses and Administrative Units.
At its core, the plan seeks to advance the university’s vision of becoming a “unique and uncommon” institution that is structurally and philosophically oriented towards solving practical societal problems and ranking among the top ten universities in Nigeria.
The strategic framework identifies six key challenges confronting the university, including funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, limited research collaboration, and service delivery inefficiencies.
A statement by the university’s Acting Director, Corporate Affairs, Victor G. Banigo, further stated that the university has articulated four broad strategic goals supported by eight targeted objectives.
A central priority of the plan, according to him, is the strengthening of governance and administrative systems, alongside deliberate efforts to expand the university’s funding base. Others include enhanced alumni engagement, strategic partnerships and innovative fundraising initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
“Equally significant is the commitment to upgrading physical infrastructure across all campuses. Plans are underway to modernize lecture halls and laboratories, expand student accommodation, improve campus security and deploy advanced ICT systems to support teaching, learning and research.
“Recognizing that human capital is the backbone of institutional success, the university has placed strong emphasis on staff development, recruitment and productivity enhancement. Through targeted training programmes, mentorship initiatives and performance management systems, the plan aims to foster a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
“In addition, the university is poised to deepen its focus on research, innovation and entrepreneurship. By reviewing academic curricula, strengthening industry partnerships and establishing innovation incubation centers, Rivers State University seeks to translate research outputs into practical solutions that address societal needs and drive economic growth,” he said.
The PRO disclosed that the implementation of the strategic plan is projected at ?110 billion, reflecting the scale of transformation envisioned.
“While the university is committed to funding a significant portion internally, additional resources will be mobilized through government support, donor agencies, alumni contributions, and public-private partnerships.
“This multi-channel funding strategy aligns with the university’s broader goal of building a resilient and self-sustaining financial model capable of supporting long-term development,” he explained.
To ensure effective implementation, he said, “the plan incorporates a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, complete with performance and impact indicators. A mid-term review is scheduled within the first two years to assess progress and make necessary adjustments.
“Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated Strategic Planning Office will provide oversight, coordination and accountability in executing the plan across all units of the university.”
According to the statement, “As the university embarks on this transformative journey, the message from leadership is clear: the Strategic Development Plan is a collective mandate.
“For staff, students, alumni and stakeholders, it represents an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and advancement of the institution. For the university, it is a pathway to consolidating its legacy while embracing innovation and global relevance.
“With a clear vision, defined priorities and a united community, Rivers State University stands poised to translate this strategic blueprint into measurable progress, advancing knowledge, empowering people and shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria.”