News

Fubara, Jonathan, Others Celebrate Sylvanus Cookey At 90

Published

2 years ago

April 10, 2024

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has described Prof. Sylvanus John Sodienye Cookey as a selfless Nigerian, selfless Niger Deltan and a proud and wonderful son of Rivers State.
Governor Fubara stated this during the 90th Birthday Celebration of Prof. Sylvanus Cookey at the University of Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Represented by his Deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, Governor Fubara said “Prof. Cookey is one man that is unique who loves to see his people grow and helps them to achieve their goals, we should learn from his lifestyle so that one-day history will be kind to us by the things we do and the hand we stretch forward to help others, just as history is being kind to our father”.
According to the Governor, the celebrant is somebody who has impacted a lot beyond the University of Port Harcourt, noting that it is not very easy to be one of the first foundation Vice Chancellors of Uniport because they had a lot of stress setting up a new University from a little technical school.
While congratulating the celebrant, the State Chief Executive said the University was flourishing today, which was not the case decades ago when they started and expressed his delight that Prof. Cookey is alive to see that the mustard he planted has grown into a big oak tree.
In his virtual Goodwill message, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, said Prof. Sylvanus Cookey was a great teacher who positively impacted the lives of many people across the country, noting that as a public servant and scholar he held different positions of trust where he served faithfully with great patriotism and zeal which includes serving as the second Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt from 1982 to 1989.
In remarks, the Vice Chancellor University of Port Harcourt Prof. Owunari Georgewill, who spoke through the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Prof. Clifford Ofurum, said the institution has decided to leave a lasting legacy in honour of Prof. Cookey, by providing a centre to immortalize him in the University.
Earlier, Prof Joseph Ajienka the 7th Vice Chancellor and Chairman of the Organizing Committee disclosed that they were gathered to celebrate a transformational leader who laid the foundation for transforming the University of Port Harcourt into an entrepreneurial University and committed to the University advancement.
The Guest Lecturer, Amb. (Dr) Godknows Igali, the 12th Pro-Chancellor, Federal University of Technology, Akure, and 2nd Pro-Chancellor Bayelsa Medical University, presented a Lecture Titled “The Historical Public Service and the Luminous Foot Marks of Professor Sylvanus John Sodienye Cookey.

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

2 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.