News

We’ll Strengthen Civil Service For Optimum Productivity -Fubara

Published

2 years ago

April 5, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured of his administration’s commitment to give civil servants their rightful place to strengthen the service for the growth and optimum productivity in the State.
This, according to him, stems from the fact that his administration understands and appreciates the plight of both civil and public servants in the State.
Fubara gave the assurance while addressing members of the Forum of Rivers State Government Teachers with Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), who were on a peaceful appeal-walk to Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, to solicit their transfer from public primary and secondary schools to tertiary institutions in the State.
Represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, Governor Fubara, assured that his government would give proper attention to the issue, bearing in mind the cardinal objectives of the administration to always do what is right and proper in all circumstances to bring the best result to Rivers people.
According to him, “I think basically, the issue here is PhD holders who are under the employment of the State that are craving for proper placement. You are already Rivers State Government workers, but you have read to the level where you need to be promoted and actually, it is the desire of everybody.
“You must understand that our present Governor, given his background as a technocrat and civil servant, understands and appreciates the plight of civil and public servants in the State.
“When it comes to workers’ issue, we don’t advise him, he will rather advise us; and that is how it is because he went through it from the beginning of his days as a young graduate. He was also a teacher before he transferred to the mainstream civil service.
“So, he truly understands your plight. He is a man that in everything he does, he tries to look at what is right in the circumstances; what is proper in the circumstances; and what will bring the best benefit to Rivers State. So, your case can never be different.”
The governor also dismissed insinuations that Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Rivers State was a scam, urging the younger generation aspiring to acquire education to that level never to have that conception, as such narrative will never be associated with his administration.
He said, “When your forum coordinator spoke, he said that in Rivers State, PhD is a scam. PhD can never be a scam. Let the younger ones that are aspiring to get their PhD never get the feelings that PhD is a scam.
“What is a scam is the PhDs procured from Ariaria Market here and there. Those are the ones that you can say are a scam. If you genuinely studied for and got your PhD, nobody can actually take it away from you, because the human development you acquired in itself, by the grace of God, can take you to the zenith of whatever is your ambition in life.
“So, I want to assure you that, that narrative that PhD is a scam, this government will never allow it to happen.”
Fubara, however, advised them to prepare their minds towards screening in the eventuality of any action that would be taken to address the issue, which is the proper thing to be done.
He stressed, “But, one thing you must also understand, when it is time for employment in the tertiary institutions, you must submit yourself for screening, because these days, a lot of people who claim to have PhD, sometimes disgrace the PhD itself.
“So, that is why for every employment or transfer, you must subject yourself to proper screening, so that they will know that truly, your PhD is worth the paper, and you deserve to be properly placed as you ought to.
“I recall last time when some of you had this kind of issue, they were teaching in secondary schools. They have now read up to PhD level and they want to move to the higher institutions.
“Also, some of them who got employment even in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and they were cut up in this problem we had in the institution. Then, they tried to come back to where they were, they were also having problem. His Excellency had to direct the board to properly look at it and report back to him. So, be assured yours will also be looked into.”
Earlier in his address, the Coordinator, Forum of Rivers State Government Teachers with PhD, Dr Thompson Ofuru, had said the peaceful Appeal-Walk was to solicit and appeal to the governor to use his good offices to transfer their services from public primary and secondary schools to any of the state-owned tertiary institutions.
He said, “Sir, our peaceful appeal-walk to you today is an offshoot of all our frantic efforts made to seek your attention and interface with you one-on-one that yielded no result.
“The transfer is to enable us maximize our research potentials, have job satisfaction, and also, to give back to the society in line with the 21st Century advocate.”
Dr. Ofuru, however, expressed gratitude to the governor for the N100,000 Christmas bonus to all civil servants in the state, of which they were beneficiaries.

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