Rivers

Fubara, An Exceptional Leader -Rivers Women …As RSG Donates Sanitary Towels, Bags Of Rice To 23 LGAs

Published

2 years ago

March 11, 2024

The President of the Rivers Women Unite for Sim, Mrs Sotonye Toby Fulton, has described the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, as an exceptional leader sent to alleviate the sufferings of women and children in the State.
Fulton stated this in Port Harcourt while taking delivery of gift items provided by the Rivers State Government for women during this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) celebration in the State, last Friday.
The theme for this year’s IWD is ‘Invest in Women, Accelerate Progress.’
She noted that this year’s IWD took a different dimension in the State as women leaders across the 23 local government areas in the state took delivery of gift items given to them by the state government for distribution to poor women in the state.
Some of the items distributed by the state government to each of the 23 local government areas in the State include over 1,000 sanitary towels and 30 bags of rice.
The women leader noted that Fubara is a calm and peaceful man that loves touching lives positively without making noise about it.
“Not everybody likes to make noise in doing good and one of such persons is His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara. he doesn’t make noise about his achievements”, she stressed.
“The rivers state Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara is being sensitive to the plights of women and children in the society and as such has given sanitary pads and bags of rice to be distributed to rivers women,” Fulton added.
Fulton urged the various women leaders to ensure equitable distribution of the gift items to poor women across the 23 local government areas in the State irrespective of their political leanings, warning them to guide against personal aggrandizement.
“you must resist the urge for personal aggrandisement as there are those that need these items more than you do. Try to make some sacrifices for others, especially those in need. we understand the harsh economic downturn across the nation, but then, it is better to give than to receive. bear also in mind that givers never lack”, she said.
She also charged women to be humble and supportive to their husbands especially if they are blessed by God to be breadwinners in their homes.
According to her, it is unacceptable for any woman to use her economic power to insult or disrespect her husband because of his inability to provide for the family.
“Men too suffer one form of abuse or the other, but they are not able to speak out. Many of them rather prefer to bottle up and when they can no longer endure, they quit their marriages, which ordinarily wouldn’t have happened”, she noted.
Also speaking, one of the women leaders from Okrika, and member of the Rivers State Task Force on Sanitation, Princess Ibiene Ogan, thanked the Governor for his kind gesture to women in the State.
“We are here to receive some items donated by His Excellency through our Rivers Women Unite women leader, Sotonye Fulton.
“It is so shocking and a great joy for us in the communities that the Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, thinks so much about the women even down to the grassroots.
“This has never happened before. so, we are happy with him and we look forward to him to take us through the hard times to the better times.
“We all know that as a woman, you must go through your menstrual cycle and many of them are passing through difficult times, such that they cannot afford to buy sanitary pads and rice. so for me, these are the best gifts his excellency can give the women in the State”, Ogan said.
Another women leader from Gokana, Mrs Florence Kpoobe, while also appreciating Fubara’s gesture, urged well-meaning individuals to emulate the governor and join forces with his administration by investing in the girl-child education.
“This kind gesture witnessed today by His Excellency, I haven’t seen it in the history of Rivers State as such. I am urging all women to join hands with the governor to build peace that we all yearn for in the State”, she said.
Immediate past Vice Chairman of Ogu/Bolo Local Government Council, Barrister Christiana Tamunobereton-ari, who also thanked Fubara for the gift items, urged women to always speak up against abuse and intimidation.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Rivers

INEC Urges Peaceful Rivers Assembly Bye-elections

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has urged stakeholders to promote peace and ensure credible Rivers State House of Assembly bye-elections scheduled for February 21.

The state’s Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Prof. Gabriel Yomere, made the appeal at a stakeholders’ meeting in Port Harcourt on Thursday.

Yomere said the poll was vital for voters in Ahoada-East II and Khana II constituencies, who had remained without representation at the state level.

He said INEC had begun preparations, including deploying trained personnel and ensuring timely distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.

“The bye-election will involve 112,950 registered voters across 14 registration areas and 242 polling units in the two Local Government Areas.

“We have commenced all necessary internal preparations towards a successful bye-election”, he said.

Yomere urged political parties and candidates to uphold internal democracy and responsibility during the primaries scheduled to hold by January 23.

“Elections should be contests of ideas, not battles marked by intimidation, destruction or violence”, he said.

He commended security agencies for professionalism and assured them of INEC’s continued collaboration to ensure a secure election environment.

Yomere also encouraged political parties, civil society groups and the media to support voter education, peaceful participation and counter misinformation.

He disclosed that INEC commenced the second phase of the Continuous Voter Registration exercise on January 5 across all registration centres in the state.

The Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mr. Olugbenga Adepoju, appealed to stakeholders to ensure peaceful bye-elections, stressing that security remained everyone’s responsibility.

Represented by CSP James Njoku, Adepoju emphasised collaboration between security agencies and the public for a credible electoral process.

“Security agencies cannot do it alone without your contribution. We appreciate your efforts towards the safety and security of our state”, he said.

Adepoju warned against electoral violence, describing it as any act intended to intimidate, harm or abuse electoral stakeholders.

He urged stakeholders to educate relatives and party members on the dangers of electoral violence and its consequences.

Adepoju appealed to youths, religious, community and political leaders to encourage followers to shun violence and promote peace.

He assured that security agencies would work together to safeguard lives and properties for the conduct of free and fair elections.

The Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, Dr. Nnanna Onyekere, praised INEC’s proactiveness, saying it boosted confidence in a credible election.

“We assure you there will be no violence. There will be peace across the state”, Onyekere said.

He commended INEC for moving voter registration to ward level, noting it would ease access for prospective voters.

Onyekere called on political parties to collaborate with INEC and expressed confidence that the bye-elections would be peaceful and successful.

Rivers

PH To Host 2026 NBA Conference

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) says Port Harcourt will host its 2026 Annual General Conference with an ambitious theme: “Beyond Limits.”

Its President, Afam Osigwe, SAN, disclosed this at its National Secretariat on Friday.

The theme, the President said, serves as a strategic mandate for legal practitioners to shatter traditional constraints and pivot toward innovation in justice delivery and governance.

Osigwe emphasised that bringing the flagship event to the South-South region is a calculated move to foster national inclusion and ensure that the association’s activities resonate deeply with members across every geographical zone.

Chairman of the Conference Planning Committee, Abdul Mohammed, SAN, assured the legal community that early preparations are focused on delivering a high-caliber experience that aligns with international organisational standards.

The day’s proceedings also took a significant turn toward professional development with the inauguration of a new co-working space for young lawyers.

Located at the National Secretariat, the facility is a direct response to the structural and economic hurdles facing early-career practitioners.

It offers a professional setting for client consultations and collaborative research, ensuring that junior members remain vibrantly engaged in active practice.

The co-working initiative, spearheaded by the NBA Welfare Committee, was personally funded by its chairman, Chief James Onoja, SAN, and coordinated by Welfare Secretary, Mr. Auta Nyada.

In a tribute to professional excellence, the space was named after former Attorney-General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, whose legacy of mentorship and ethical advocacy served as the inspiration for the project.

While urging local branches to establish similar hubs at their respective bar centers, the NBA also confirmed that registration for the 2026 conference is now officially open, with more details on the speaker lineup and session schedules to follow.

By; Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Wobodo Pledges Support For Ex-Service Men, Others

Published

1 day ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Area (LGA), Hon. Charles Wobodo, said he would not renege on his administration’s commitment to support ex-servicemen and other security personnel within the Local Government area.

Wobodo made this known during the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration held in Isiokpo, the Headquarters of Ikwerre Local Government.

He said the event provided an opportunity to honour men and women who paid the supreme price in the defence of Nigeria’s unity and sovereignty.

The council chairman described fallen servicemen as national heroes whose sacrifices must never be forgotten by government and citizens alike.

According to him, his administration remains committed to strengthening the local security architecture to enhance peace and safety across Ikwerre communities.

He disclosed that the council has provided operational vehicles and other forms of support to security agencies operating in the area.

The Kelga Council Chairman noted that beyond serving officers, the local government is also focused on the welfare of retired and disabled security personnel.

He also assured that widows of fallen servicemen would not be neglected, stressing that they would be included in the council’s social welfare programmes.

The chairman further emphasized the need for continuous collaboration between the local government and security stakeholders to sustain peace and development.

As part of activities marking the remembrance event, Wobodo made a cash donation to members of the Nigerian Legion in the area.

He urged the legionnaires to maintain a cordial relationship with the local government and to continue supporting peace initiatives.

One of the Ex-service men, Major Joseph Wonuma, stated that the Armed Forces Remembrance Day was a significant occasion and appealed to the Council chairman to prioritise welfare, employment and empowerment programmes for ex-servicemen and their families.

By: King Onunwor