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AFRD: Let’s Celebrate Gallantry Of Soldiers More While Alive Than In Death -Fubara …As Rivers Honours Fallen Heroes, Members Of Armed Forces With Thanksgiving
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that it is more rewarding to celebrate the military and members of the security agencies for their contributions and sacrifices while they are alive, and not just when they are dead.
Governor Fubara spoke at the Inter-denominational Thanksgiving Service held in commemoration of the 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Rumuibekwe, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, last Sunday.
The Governor described as unfair, to only remember fallen heroes, as the yearly Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration represents, but to also put in place a more enduring measure of acknowledging and celebrating officers and men in active service for their gallantry.
Governor Fubara, therefore, assured that his administration will do everything possible within its powers to make life better for officers and men involved in various security operations, including legionnaires and survivors of fallen heroes within the State.
He said, “But I want to say that our government will not be a government that will put its energy only in remembering the late soldiers, and those who have died in the course of defending this country.
“I want to change the narrative a bit. We want to also support, strongly, those people that they have left behind, so that they will know what the government and the good people of Rivers State did for them. Let it also be that people will be remembered by the government for taking the right decision for them and helping them develop to be something great in our country.”
Governor Fubara also said: “We want to assure the legionnaires on whose instance this occasion is centred on. We want to assure the Armed Forces that this government will continue to do its best to protect lives of our people, and to take the welfare of our people seriously.
“At the end of the day, it is about the people, and the people should come first. We want to assure you that those things we have promised, which I believe we have met a good number of them; however, if there is any one that we have not done, we will do it to make sure that you are not remembered after your death, but that while you are alive, you also enjoy yourself in the right way.”
Governor Fubara referred to the biblical Moses who requested of the Lord Almighty to make His presence available as a shield and compass to lead on the path designed for the Israelites, and stated that God is in full control of the affairs of State and providing the needed direction on the right path.
Governor Fubara said: “Let me also appeal to all the religious leaders in this State, please, your pulpit should be a place to talk about peace, progress; talk about the unity of the people of Rivers State. It shouldn’t be an opportunity for people to cast aspersions, abuse people, say all sorts of things. And more worrisome is that it is in the house of God. Please, I want to beg you (the churches)… with due respect… you need to stop it… If I start shooting out of order, drag the microphone from me.”
Governor Fubara recalled that the 2024 Armed Forces Remembrance Day was marked when his administration and the entire State were going through a lot of storm, but asserted that it is a lot different in 2025 because everybody looks brighter, fresher, with the outlook of his administration more better, bigger, stronger and comfortable steering the affairs of State.
Governor Fubara stated: “This year is a special year. A special year because God has been with us, God has helped us in several ways. God has also promised us that there will be total peace on every side, and our projection for this year will be as we declared it: ‘Inclusive Growth and Development’, more especially on human capital development.
“We can only achieve this in an environment where there is peace; environment where there is law and order. That is where the security agencies come in. We want to appeal to you, we do not care the means of your appointment; we are not bordered about the ethnic group you are coming from; what we request from you is to consider the interest of this State as more important.
“Know that if anything goes wrong in this State, it affects Nigeria. That is the truth! So, work as a professional, support us to make sure that those things that we ought to do and do rightly are done for the interest of the good people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.”
In his homily, the Chaplain of Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Chaplaincy, Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA), Very Reverend Monsignor Pius Kii, spoke on the theme, “Remembrance”, and emphasised the importance of rendering worthy services, to God, society and humanity, because they do not go unnoticed by God who recompense justly.
Very Rev Kii, therefore, admonished that on an auspicious day as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration, proper remuneration should be instituted for men and women of the Armed Forces who have continued to fight against external aggressions, terrorism, and curbed internal insurgencies, with some of them paying the supreme price to ensure a peaceful society for the citizenry.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene