News

Reps Member Pledges Support, Loyalty To Fubara, Joins SIMplified Movement

Published

1 year ago

March 27, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has accepted the pledge of loyalty from the member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Boniface Emerengwa.
Fubara said that his government would never be distracted from delivering on its promises to Rivers people.
The Governor made the commitment when he received the ranking member of the House of Representatives, who visited the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday evening, to show solidarity and support to him.
Hon. Emerengwa hails from Ikwerre Local Government Area, the headquarters of all the four Ikwerre-speaking LGAs, which also includes Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor, and Emohua.
The federal lawmaker explained that he was throwing his total support and loyalty to Fubara’s administration because it was undisputable that the governor is both the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the State.
Elected House of Representatives member in 2015, Emerengwa said he had come to the realisation that it was unnecessary and futile to continue to struggle and fight over who controls the party and leads the State when the party and the nation’s Constitutions were clear on the issue.
He pledged to mobilise thousands of his supporters in his constituency and lead them to join the governor in his efforts of take the State to heights of sustained peace and development.
The former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council said that Rivers people had made their choice through their votes and gave their mandate to Governor Fubara.
He said, having secured electorial victory on March 18, 2023, which had been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Fubara has become the Number One Citizen of the State as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He noted that only the blind will not see the giant strides Governor Fubara was already making in various sectors of the State, adding that the best way to assist the State grow as Rivers people was to support the Governor in every way possible to achieve sustainable peace and accelerate inclusive development of the State.
Hon Emerengwa was accompanied to the Government House by three other House of Representatives members, Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency; Hon Boma Goodhead of Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency; and Hon Anderson Allison Igbiks of Okrika-Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, who are Fubara’s strong supporters.
This new pledge of allegiance is coming in the wake of a flurry of resignations of elected politicians across the local government areas, who have vowed to support Governor Fubara to succeed.
Notable among them is the Leader of Obio/Akpor Legislative Council and Councillor representing Ward 9, Rt. Hon. Achor Prince Nna, who resigned on March 7.
Obio/Akpor Ward 9 covers Rumuepirikom and Elioparanwo communities, two critical power blocks in Obio/Akpor and the State.
According to Nna, “This resignation is hitherto borne out of my personal conviction to align with the truth in the face of the current political issues in Rivers State… My Chairman, I want to align with the progressive minds to liberate and develop Rivers State in tune with the SIMplified Movement.”
On March 18, Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council and member representing Obio/Akpor Ward 17, Hon Newman Ogbonda, also resigned to join the Simplified Movement.
Obio/Akpor Ward 17 includes Rumuolumeni, Mgbuosimini, Nkpor, Mgbuodohia, Azumini, Minikpiti and Mgbuakara communities.
In his letter, Ogbonda said, “I officially write to resign my position as the Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council to clear my good conscience and to align myself with the Administration of the Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State and his vision to better the State.”
Ogbonda’s action followed the resignation on March 17 of the President General of Akpor Consultative Assembly, Chief (Barrister) Hanny Woko, a powerful politician from the area, to pitch tent with Governor Fubara’s Government and the SIMplified Movement.
Also on March 20, the Supervisory Councillor for Health and Social Welfare in Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Dr Ipalibo Jenberetoa George, resigned his position to join the Simplified Movement.
According to him, “I have taken this decision in view of my firm belief that throwing full weight behind the Administration of the genial, humane and prople-oriented Administration of the Executive Governor, Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, is the absolute best way to go at this point in the development of Rivers State and in the light of the challenges she currebtly faces.”
It would be recalled that Hon Emerengwa is an accomplished lawyer and politician, who was a former Ikwerre Local Government Chairman between January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2002, and former Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007.
He had served as Ward Councilor between January 1, 1987 and January 1, 1990; and Council Secretary between January 1, 1990 and January 1, 1999.

News

Group Doles out N13m To Market Women In Isiama

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The peaceful Town of Isiama in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State was at the weekend agog with activities following the donation of over N13million to market women by Engr. Justus Ngerebara in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiatives, a non-governmental organization, as part of its first phase empowerment programme.

According to Justus Ngerebara, who is also the Executive Director of the organization, the women, numbering 108, will receive various sums based on their business proposal.

He stated that the organization will carry out an annual review of the performances of the beneficiaries, with a view to rewarding those who put the money into good use.

According to him, the initiative was a collaborative effort between himself and his wife, Dr. Unyime Ngerebara, in partnership with Fast Track Development Initiative (FDI), an organization committed to youth capacity building and community development.

He said the family believe deeply in the transformative power of women’s empowerment as a catalyst for economic growth, especially in rural communities.

“As the saying goes, when you empower a woman, you empower a community. This truth resonate strongly with us, knowing that empowered women uplift households and inspire generational change”, he stated.

Ngerebara described the programme as the beginning of more things to come and urged the beneficiaries to view the gesture “as a reflection of our deep love for the community and our commitment to easing the burdens of economic hardship.

“We encourage you to invest wisely, channel these resources into your business not frivolities.

“We will continue to follow up with each participant to monitor progress and Offer guidance.

“It is our goal to see thriving business, creative solutions to households hunger and a ripple effect of prosperity through Isiama.

“We also call on the men to stand beside their spouses, offering support and encouragement to ensure these resources are maximized for growth”, he said.

In an interview, Ngerebara said the second phase of the empowerment programme will start very soon, stressing that since inception the organization has done so much for the community.

He listed some of the programmes carried out by the group in the community to include the installation of solar powered lights, and solar powered water.

While declaring the event open, a former coymmissioner for Works in Rivers State, Engr. Sampson Ngerebara, described the event as the first of its kind in the community.

Engr. Ngerebara said the programme will go a long way to improve the conditions of not only the beneficiaries, but also the entire Isiama Community.

He also charged them against wasting the resources on frivolities, adding that their success will attract more of such empowerment programme to Isiama community

Giving a brief talk on women empowerment, a lecturer at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Dr. Awajimogobo Felix MacLean, warned the beneficiaries to justify the effort of the donor by avoiding wastages.

Dr. MacLean also urged them to be consistent in their line of business as well as avoid unnecessary competition.

She also stressed the need for them to network among themselves, while working out ways of helping the community to develop.

Guest of Honour at the occasion, Professor Uriah Oboada Alafonye, said Engr Justus Ngerebara, the initiator of the programme, has set a standard for present and future generations of leaders both in the community and the rest of Andoni to follow.

Prof Alafonye who is of the department of Arts Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, also appealed to the beneficiaries to seize the opportunity provided by the programme to reduce poverty in the community.

Speaking, one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Hebron Mercy Fyneface, a crayfish seller and an interior designer, said it was the first time she was receiving such gesture from any organization or government.

She thanked Engr Justus Ngerebara for remembering the women of Isiama and urged others to emulate him.

By: John Bibor

News

Fubara’s Return Excites NCSU … As Hope Rises For Civil Servants

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The umbrella body of civil servants in Rivers State, the Nigeria Civil Service Union(NCSU) has expressed delight over the lifting of emergency rule in the State and the return to office of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Prof Ngozi Nma Odu and members of the State House of Assembly, saying, the development portends good omen for workers, the people and the State.

The Rivers State Chairman of NCSU, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, who gave the indication in an interview in Port Harcourt, said the return of the Governor to office portends good omen and better days for civil servants in particular, stressing that the union heartily welcomes the Governor back to office, to resume his good works in the State, after six months of the emergency rule, as well as his deputy and members of the House of Assembly.

He noted that civil servants in the State are not only elated over the development but are also full of hope that the Governor would start from where he stopped in attending to their welfare needs.

He contended that the political crisis that recently engulfed the State and the six-month emergency rule had for over one year pulled the State backwards, but expressed delight that a permanent solution has been found to stem further political upheavals in the State, and thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for making this possible; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and leader of the State, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor Fubara; Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Martin Amaewhule; members of the House; and other stakeholders for agreeing to amicably resolve all contending issues.

The labour leader said this is the right time for all political gladiators in the State to bury the hatchet, work together and embrace peace and genuine reconciliation in the overall interest of the State.

He described as too hasty the resolution of the House, mandating the Governor to present a supplementary budget to it, and pleaded with members of the House to be calm, to tread with caution, and harmoniously work with the Governor.

He said the return of democratic governance in the State would fast-track progress and development in the State, and enjoined the people of the State, particularly civil servants to continue to give their support and cooperation to the Fubara administration.

Osumah expressed optimism that Governor Fubara would give prompt attention to challenges facing civil servants in the State, being a former civil servant himself, stressing that the workers truly have hope, now that the Governor has returned to office, and knowing the kind of Governor he is.

According to him, he is going to look into the controversial and contentious contributory pension scheme; rehabilitation of the State Secretariat Complex; recruitment into the state civil service; extension of service and retirement years for civil servants; provision of vehicles to industrial unions; as well as provision of befitting staff quarters for civil servants; among others.

News

NDDC Organizes ADR Capacity Building for Staff

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has organized a one-day sensitization program for its personnel on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) approaches to promote workplace compliance on transparency and due process.

The workshop, themed “Promoting Transparency and Due Process in the Workplace using ADR Approaches in Building a Culture of Accountability and Integrity,” aimed to equip staff with the skills to resolve disputes effectively.

Declaring the event open on thursday in port Harcourt,The NDDC Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, emphasized the importance of using ADR mechanisms to resolve conflicts in the workplace.

Dr. Ogbuku represented by his chief of staff,Rev Omeya Oworibo,noted that ADR approaches can encourage a culture of honesty, fairness, transparency, trust, and reduce conflicts among staff, ultimately promoting efficiency and productivity.

He averred that those disputes and quarrels if not proper resolved can derail the vision and objectives of the commission to the people, noting that the commission must as a team and unity as service provider in order to render a profitable service delivery to the people.

“ADR approach will encourage culture of honesty,fairness, transparency ,trust and reduce back bitting and the workforce, noting that such tendency would in turns promote efficiency and increase results in workplace.

when integrity and honesty becomes the operandi of an organisation and employees begins to trust that their matters will be handled with fairness it will breed team work and increase in productivity.”he stated

He commended the department of DCR for organising the workshop and urged the participants to make good use of the opportunity and imbibe the culture of tolerance, integrity and teamwork in workplace.

Also speaking,the NDDC acting director of DCR ,Mr Godwin Ayewumi Ogedegbe noted that the theme of the captures the core of what the commission seeks to achieve a workplace where every action is expected to be guided by openness, fairness, and a steadfastness commitment to due process, where conflicts are not merely resolved, but prevented through structured,principled processes , and where accountability and integrity are not aspirational ideals but every day practice.

In his keynote presentation on the theme “workplace Ethics and alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation,

Prof. Sylvester Odion Akhaine of the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, delivered a keynote presentation on “Workplace Ethics and Alternative Dispute Resolution Correlation.” He stressed the importance of due process, transparency, integrity, and accountability in the workplace, noting that these values are essential for productivity and organizational goals.

The workshop aimed to promote a culture of accountability and integrity in the NDDC workplace. By equipping staff with ADR skills and promoting transparency and due process, the commission can build a more efficient and productive work environment.

By: Akujobi Amadi