News

RSG Woos NNPCL Retirees To Buy-In, Invest In Modular Refineries In Rivers

Published

2 years ago

March 8, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, says his government is poised to attract the best brains in the state and beyond to help transform the state to the fast lane of accelerated development.
The state Commissioner for Information and Communications, Warisenibo Joe Johnson, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, while playing host to a delegation of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, recently.
Johnson, who himself is a retiree of the hydrocarbon behemoth, noted that the NNPC senior citizens have a lot to offer in advancing the course of development in the state, given their wealth of experience, which he said, the state government was willing to tap from.
He expressed gratitude to the management committee of the group for the courtesy visit to identify with the Rivers State Government, emphasising that their visit has given him a sense of belonging.
Johnson explained that the governor and has been on course in delivering people-oriented programmes and projects through the help of God and the massive support of Rivers people, despite the plans of detractors to divert his attention from fulfilling his mandate.
According to him; “Governor Siminalayi Fubara, as an accountant, is not given to much noise. He is very humane, friendly and ready to serve the state creditably.
“We have lost a lot in the area of human capital development, which the governor is determined to fix.”
He noted that Rivers State, unlike Lagos, has not experienced simultaneous development across all the 23 local government areas in the State due to politicking in the past eight years.
Johnson noted that the governor has come up with a different concept of accelerated development, which despite the efforts of detractors, was beginning to put some legacies in place that would speak for the government in days and years to come.
He told the NNPC retired staff that his office was open to them at all times, even as he enjoined them to offer advice to the government in areas that it was not doing well.
According to him, “Any area we are not doing well, please tell us so that we can adjust. We are humans. We are bound to make mistakes.
“The governor is a human being like all of us. He has been in the public service. But he would leverage on the experience that most of you have acquired over the years at NNPC, which is pivotal when it comes to organizational management.”
The commissioner added, “For example, we have electricity supply challenge which those of you with engineering expertise can make available to the Rivers State Government. This is an area that you can be interested in, and we are ready to partner with you.
“There is no reason why we cannot have a modular refinery to produce fuel and associated by-products for our local consumption to address the high cost of the products.”
He, therefore, charged them to buy-in to the government initiative as a game changer, even as he noted that they (NNPC retired staff) could as well offer consultancy services to the government in the areas of their core competencies.
Johnson urged them to serve as his mirror, so as to point the way to a premium quality service delivery to the good people of Rivers State.
He noted that Fubara’s strategy of silence and focused leadership has discomfited the adversaries, thus making him very unpredictable.
He sued for constant interactions for cross fertilization of ideas that would be mutually beneficial.
Earlier in his remarks, President, NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, Sir Francis Igwebuike Ifi, had congratulated the commissioner on his well-deserved appointment as a member of the Rivers State Executive Council and Commissioner for Information and Communications in the state.
He expressed absolute confidence in the ability of the state Chief Image Maker to deliver premium quality service to the state, given his antecedents.
Ifi stated that the NNPC EZRSICS, which is the investment arm of the retirees, recognises Johnson as one of their own, a close friend and dependable ally who has the development and progress of the cooperative at heart.
He said that it was for that reason that they associate with him and will continue to support the state government to achieve its mandates in key sectors.
“Our courtesy visit to you today is to show our solidarity and felicitate with you on your well-deserved appointment as Commissioner for Information and Communications of the Rivers State Government.
“We are delighted that you have made us proud to be so appointed into an exalted office. Your appointment has given all of us, cooperators, a sense of joy, pride and happiness”, he said.
Continuing, Ifi said; “We are very happy for your appointment, and pray to God Almighty to grant you the wherewithal to perform your duties efficiently and creditably.
“We also pledge and vow to support you and the Rivers State Government such that, even the governor will be happy with us.
“We also want to urge you to please, convey our warmest greetings to His Excellency, Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.
“We are aware of what has been happening in the state since his assumption of office. Please, tell him that we are convinced in his ability to overcome and chart a new course for the development of the state in line with his constitutional mandate as the duly elected governor of Rivers State.
“We are solidly behind you and the government and good people of Rivers State,” he concluded.
Other members of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited’s Management Team on the courtesy visit included the Vice President, Rev. Charles W. George; Financial Secretary, Elder Daminabo Iwo George; and Treasurer, Mr. Monday Ewonubari Yaakor.
Others are Secretary, Elder Blessing T. Kalio; and Assistant Secretary, Mr. Daere R. Amachree.
A minute silence was later observed in honour of the former Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the NNPC Eastern Zone Retired Staff Investment Cooperative Society Limited, late Engr. A. M. Alabi, who was said to have slumped and died recently in his Kwara State home.

News

Cleric Predicts Breakthrough, Warns of Political and Security Challenges in 2026

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Founder and Senior Pastor of Liberty Hour Ministry, Port Harcourt, Apostle Chikadibia John Wodo, has expressed optimism that 2026 will usher in uncommon breakthroughs and good fortune for Nigeria, particularly in the areas of political, economic, and spiritual development, with Rivers State playing a key role.

Apostle Wodo made this declaration in his special New Year message, where he stated that individuals and forces standing as obstacles to the manifestation of God’s will in the new year would face bitter consequences. He cautioned that corrupt political leaders risk backlash from the very people they govern if they fail to change their ways.

The cleric warned against the escalation of political tension in Rivers State and called on residents and religious leaders to intensify prayers for lasting peace. He also urged Governor Siminalayi Fubara to remain resolute in leadership, reminding him to uphold his vows to God by continually seeking divine guidance in decision-making and governance amid evolving challenges.

Assessing the broader national situation, Apostle Wodo called on Nigerian leaders to repent and govern with a heightened sense of responsibility, noting that the cries and supplications of the masses have drawn divine attention. He further warned of alleged plots to disrupt a smooth democratic transition in 2027 and appealed for prayers to avert such an agenda.

According to him, Nigerians are yearning for genuine socio-economic transformation and freedom from political oppression. He challenged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to redeem its credibility by ensuring free, fair, and credible elections devoid of undue political interference.

The cleric also predicted that insecurity could worsen in the coming year and warned of the possible emergence of a strange ailment, stressing that Nigeria’s political challenges can only be resolved through equity, fairness, and justice, especially in the treatment of minorities, the vulnerable, and the disadvantaged.

Apostle Wodo further claimed that some clerics and General Overseers have compromised their faith and incurred divine displeasure, calling for sincere repentance to restore their relationship with God. He also advised early preparedness to mitigate natural disasters such as fire outbreaks and flooding, particularly in rural communities.

He concluded by urging Nigerians to remain prayerful, vigilant, and united as the nation navigates the opportunities and challenges of 2026.

News

Ado Royal Family Disowns Alleged Installation of Amanyanabo of Okrika

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

The Ado Royal Family of Okrika has firmly disassociated itself from the alleged self-enthronement of Hon. Godknows Tam George as the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head, describing the action as unlawful, illegitimate, and a threat to the peace of the ancient kingdom.

The family, which described itself as the sole legitimate custodian of the history, traditions, and stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika, stated that it has not installed any king and has not commenced the formal process for such installation.

This position was contained in a statement jointly signed by Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan (Ogan Ado Royal House), Alabo Engr. Henry Semenitari Abam (Abam Ado Royal House), and Alabo Prince Oriyeorikabo Fibika (Fibika Ado Royal House). The statement was presented to journalists on Friday at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to the statement, the purported action by Hon. Tam George amounts to “a blatant assault on the collective integrity of the Okrika people” and constitutes “a criminal act of impersonation with the potential to destabilize the peace and socio-political fabric of our ancient kingdom.”

The family stressed that Hon. Tam George was never presented as a candidate by the Ado Royal Family and did not undergo any of the mandatory rites, consultations, or confirmations required by Okrika customs.

“The Ado Royal Family has never presented him as a candidate, nor has he undergone any of the prerequisite rites, consultations, or confirmations. His actions are those of a lone interloper, operating in a vacuum of legitimacy,” the statement read.

It further emphasized that the stool of the Amanyanabo of Okrika and Clan Head is a sacred institution rooted in centuries-old traditions and spiritual heritage, not something to be claimed through academic qualifications, political ambition, or personal interest.

Speaking during the briefing, Prof. Sotonye Fyneface-Ogan reiterated that the process of crowning an Amanyanabo is clearly defined and has not yet begun.

“To crown a king, there is a process, and those processes have not taken place,” he said. “We are the chiefs; we are the ones that will be part of the selection. Honestly, we have not started the selection process; we have only begun discussions.”

He explained that during the proper selection process, chiefs supervise nominations from each constituent house, with each house expected to nominate two or three candidates—steps which, he noted, have not been carried out.

“I want to assure the public that none of the Ado family chiefs has given Hon. Tam George any sign of approval,” Prof. Fyneface-Ogan added.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of Hon. Godknows Tam George proved unsuccessful. Repeated attempts through phone calls, text messages, and WhatsApp messages were unsuccessful, as he did not respond as of the time of filing this report.

By: Tonye Orabere

News

PH Traders Laud RSG’s Fire Safety Sensitisation Campaign

Published

2 days ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Traders in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, have commended the Rivers State Government (RSG) for its ongoing fire emergency and safety sensitisation campaign across major markets in the state.

Speaking on behalf of traders at Nowa Market, Borikiri Old Port Harcourt Township, the market chairman, Mr. Innocent Chukwuma, praised Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara for initiating the awareness programme in designated markets and public places.

Chukwuma described the exercise as timely and impactful, noting that it was the first time the Rivers State Government had carried out such a campaign in Nowa Market. According to him, the sensitisation would educate traders on fire emergencies and the necessary precautions to prevent outbreaks.

He urged traders to strictly apply the safety measures taught during the campaign, both during business hours and after closing their shops.

“I want to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Ministry of Special Duties for coming to our aid, especially during this dry season,” Chukwuma said.

“This is the first time we are seeing government presence in our market in this manner. We lack words to thank our God-sent governor, particularly for providing us with fire extinguishers and other firefighting equipment.

“We will do exactly what we have been taught today to ensure there is no fire incident in our market. We will always switch off all electrical appliances before closing for the day,” he added.

Similarly, the Chairman of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, Mr. Gift Nkesi Benjamin, applauded the state government for the distribution of fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment.

“We will adhere strictly to the safety guidelines and instructions given to us today to ensure there is no fire outbreak in our market,” Benjamin stated.

“On behalf of Mile 3 USTRE Modern Market, I sincerely thank the Rivers State Government and the Ministry of Special Duties for bringing this important campaign to our market.”

At Rumuwoji Market (popularly known as Mile 1 Market), the Chairman, Chief Hon. Godpower O. Wobo, also expressed gratitude to the state government for the sensitisation exercise. He assured that traders would comply fully with government directives to prevent future fire incidents.

Responding on behalf of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Special Duties, Mr. Sokari D. P. George, thanked the traders for their cooperation and warm reception.

He emphasised that safety remains paramount, especially during the dry season, and urged traders to be cautious in their daily activities.

Mr. George disclosed that the theme of the 2025 fire safety campaign is “Controlled Fire Is a Friend, Uncontrolled Fire Is an Enemy.”

He cautioned against refuse and bush burning around buildings and warned traders not to store fuel in unauthorized places such as homes, offices, markets, or public buildings.

“Follow all fire safety guidelines and instructions,” he urged.

The permanent secretary also noted that Governor Fubara prefers a zero-fireworks approach during festive periods to ensure public safety, stressing that the government has invested heavily in markets and expects traders to take responsibility for protecting them.

By: Kiadum Edookor