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Southern Monarchs Converge In PH Back Unity, Stability Amid 2027 Signals
In a moment that blended political foresight with cultural reverence, Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has called on traditional rulers across Southern Nigeria to rise as custodians of unity, peace, and regional advancement.
Speaking at the gathering of Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers’ Council in Port Harcourt recently, the governor did not mince words as he threw his weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second- term ambition ahead of the 2027 general elections.
With a tone that resonated beyond politics into philosophy and faith, Fubara declared: “In football, no coach changes a winning team.
What Nigeria needs now is continuity, stability, and sustainable leadership”.
Addressing the royal fathers- widely regarded as the conscience of their communities- Fubara charged them to become living symbols of unity across the South-South, South-East, and South-West regions.
Drawing from Scripture, the governor likened regional cooperation to divine instruction:
“The Bible says in Psalms 133:1- “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”.
This is the kind of unity we must now embrace as a region”.
He stressed that beyond political affiliations and ethnic differences, Southern Nigeria must speak with one voice to attract development, secure peace, and strenghten its influence in national affairs.
Governor Fubara described President Tinubu as a reform-driven leader, whose administration has laid the groundwork for economic recovery and national transformation.
“There is a time to plant and a time to build. Nigeria is in a building season”, he said, referencing Ecclesiastes 3:1. “We must not abandon the process midway.”
He pointed to ongoing infrastructural strides and policy reforms under the Federal Government, insisting that continuity would ensure that these initiatives mature into tangible benefits for Nigerians.
The governor further emphasized the scared responsibility of traditional rulers, describing them as pillars ordained to guide society at the grassroots.
“You are the light of your communities”, he said, echoing Matthew 5:24. “Where there is confusion, you must bring clarity; where there is division, you must restore peace”.
He noted that their influence remains critical in conflict resolution, youth engagement, and preserving cultural heritage, especially at a time when Nigeria faces complex socio- political challenges.
The meeting which drew monarchs from across the 17 Southern states, served as more than a ceremonial convergence- it became a strategic forum for shaping the future of the region.
Observers described the atmosphere as one of renewed commitment, with traditional rulers seen as key partners in governance and nation- building.
Fubara assured the monarchs of his administration’s commitment to sustaining peace in Rivers State, noting that development can only thrive in an atmosphere of stability.
“Except the Lord builds the house, the builders labour in vain”, he added, citing Psalms 127:1.
“We must build together- with wisdom, unity, and faith”.
Political watchers say the governor’s endorsement of Tinubu carries significant weight, particularly in the South-South, where political alignments are gradually taking shape ahead of 2027.
His message, analysts argue, is not just about elections- but about direction, continuity, and shared destiny.
Governor Fubara’s charge to Southern monarchs-and their endorsements of President Tinubu- has set the tone for what may become defining political narrative in the journey to 2027
Responding on behalf of the Council, Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers’ Council and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi delivered a profound remarks rooted in unity, cultural identity, and divine responsibility.
The revered monarch from Ile-Ife, Osun State commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the good people of Rivers State for hosting what he described as “a historic convergence of royal fathers at a critical time in our national journey”.
He stressed that the strength of Southern Nigeria lies in its diversity, warning against disunity.
“From the creeks of the Niger Delta to the forests of the South-West and the hills of the South-East, we are one people bound by history and destiny. Division is a luxury we cannot afford”.
The Ooni of Ife acknowledged the importance of leadership continuity, but emphasized that good governance must remain the ultimate benchmark.
“Leadership is a scared trust”, he said.
“As Luke 12:48 reminds us, “To whom much is given, much is also expected. “Our leaders must justify the confidence of the people through justice, equity, and service”.
“We are not in competition with government; we are partners in progress. The throne and the state must work hand in hand for the peace and prosperity of our people”.
The Ooni also reflected on the moral burden placed on traditional rulers: “We must not only wear the crown. Our voices must calm tensions, resolve conflicts and guide our people toward righteousness”.
He referenced Psalms 133:1: “Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”, adding that unity remains the strongest currency for regional advancement.
The meeting ended with far-reaching resolutions that reflect both cultural commitment and political direction.
The royal fathers agreed to strengthen inter- regional cooperation and present a united front on issues affecting Southern Nigeria. They reaffirmed the role of traditional rulers as critical partners in governance, peace-building, and grassroots mobilization; though, not formally political, the council signaled emerging consensus around leadership continuity and regional influence in national politics, pledged to intensify efforts in conflict resolution, community dialogue, and grassroots stability.
Other prominent monarchs present echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing unity, development, and need for moral leadership in governance.
Observers note that the Port Harcourt meeting was not merely ceremonial, but a strategic convergence of tradition and power, where cultural authority intersected with political reality. As the gathering came to a climax, one message stood clear- echoing both scripture and statecraft: “Where there is unity, there is strength, and where there righteous leadership, there is peace”.
In a nation navigating complex political currents, the voices of traditional rulers- anchored in history and moral authority- may yet prove decisive in shaping the road to 2027 and beyond.
By: Bethel Toby
Eleven outstanding poetry collections are now in the race for the $100,000 Nigeria Prize for Literature, arguably Africa’s biggest and most prestigious literary prize.
The 11 collections were selected from a total of 223 entries received for this year’s competition.
Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who announced the longlist, said the emergence of the 11 collections marks a significant milestone in this year’s competition and reflects the exceptional quality, creativity and diversity of contemporary Nigerian poetry.
According to her, the longlisted titles, arranged in alphabetical order, are: Adult Love by Tanure Ojaide; Bakandimiya by Saddiq Dzukogi; Black Passport by Paul Akpomuje; 2000 Blacks by Ajibola Tolase; Ceremony For The Nameless by Theresa Lola; Corpus: Animistic Verses by Ayo Oyeku; and Floral’s Love Colony by Tares Oburumu.
Other successful entries are, The Origin of Wounds by Malik Gbolahan; The Years of Blood by Adebayo Agarau; Unbind Me Now by James Ugwu Eze; and Why Does God Need a Gun by Ogaga Ifowodo.
Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo described the announcement as an important stage in the 2026 edition of the prize.
She noted that the collections demonstrate the remarkable capacity of poetry to illuminate human experience through thoughtful reflection, cultural memory and artistic expression.
According to her, the works revisit history while interrogating dominant historical narratives and exposing the forces that shape collective identities and social relations.
She stated that despite their varied emphases, the books share a commitment to exploring the endurance of individuals and communities in the face of violence, oppression and social fragmentation.
On style and language, Prof. Adimora-Ezeigbo said the books display an impressive diversity of poetic techniques marked by lyrical intensity, symbolic depth and artistic innovation.
“Many employ densely poetic, allegorical, and elegiac modes that invite multiple layers of interpretation, while others draw extensively on folklore, oral traditions, and contemporary realities to create a compelling fusion of past and present. Their language is generally fluid, evocative, and aesthetically refined, relying on vivid imagery, emotional resonance, and intellectual sophistication to communicate complex ideas. These works demonstrate how poetic language can illuminate social realities; challenge established perspectives and give voice to both individual and collective experiences.
“The next stage will demand a closer reading of each work, with attention to language, form, originality and lasting literary value,” she stated.
The Board chairman commended the judges for their painstaking work and reaffirmed the Advisory Board’s commitment to a credible process, literary excellence and the promotion of a strong reading culture.
With the announcement of the 11-title longlist, the competition now moves to the next phase, with a shortlist of three expected in August and the winner to be announced in October.
Sponsored by the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), The Nigeria Prize for Literature carries a cash award of $100,000 for the author of the winning book.
Now in its 22nd year, the prize rotates annually across four genres – prose fiction, poetry, drama and children’s literature – with the 2026 edition devoted to poetry.
The Rivers State Government has applauded the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch, for its steadfast dedication to advancing medical excellence and contributing significantly to healthcare development in the state and the country at large.
Speaking at the 2026 Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the NMA held in Port Harcourt last Wednesday, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, described the association as a vital partner in the quest to improve healthcare delivery and outcomes.
Wokoma, according to a statement by the Head of Information and Public Relations Unit in his office, Julian Masi, noted that the NMA’s sustained advocacy for professional standards and quality medical practice has continued to impact positively on the healthcare sector and national development.
He said the conference theme, “Medical Practice in Nigeria: The Past, the Present and Quo Vadis,” offers a valuable platform for stakeholders to evaluate the progress made in the health sector, examine present realities, and develop practical solutions for future challenges.
He paid tribute to Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals for their sacrifices and unwavering commitment to service despite the challenges confronting the sector.
“We deeply appreciate the immense sacrifices made daily by Nigerian doctors and other healthcare professionals. In the face of numerous challenges, they continue to demonstrate exceptional resilience, professionalism, dedication and commitment to saving lives. Their contributions remain critical to national development,” he said.
In her keynote address, the immediate past Commissioner for Health, Prof. Adaeze C. Oreh, called on participants to critically examine the current state of medical practice in Nigeria and explore innovative approaches that will address emerging healthcare challenges in line with the conference theme.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigerian Medical Association, Rivers State Branch, Dr. (Prof.) Annabel Ureh Oparaodu, expressed gratitude to Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his continued support for the medical profession in Rivers State.
She urged delegates to maximize the opportunities provided by the conference through active engagement and knowledge sharing.
Highlights of the event included the commissioning of the Nigerian Medical Association Doctors’ Lodge and the NMA Water Factory, initiatives designed to improve members’ welfare and promote sustainability within the association.
The National Population Commission (NPC) has announced the commencement of a nationwide digital registration of births and deaths in Rivers State under the Electronic Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, E-CRVS, System, using the new VitalReg platform.
Federal Commissioner, NPC, Rivers State, Prof. Itotenaan Henry Ogiri, announced said this recently during a press briefing in his Port Harcourt office.
Ogiri said the full digital registration of births and deaths took effect nationwide on July 1, 2026, and is now being implemented across Rivers’ 23 Local Government Areas as part of the Commission’s rollout in the 36 States of the Federation and the FCT.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s journey towards a modern, technology-driven civil registration system,
“It reflects the Commission’s commitment to ensuring that every birth and every death occurring in our country is accurately captured through a secure, efficient and digitally enabled platform,” he said.
The Federal Commissioner noted that while Nigeria records an estimated five million births annually, coverage remains low.
“Birth registration currently stands at about 57%, while death registration is below 20% nationwide.
“These gaps underscore the urgent need for a more efficient and accessible registration system,” he stated.
To address this, he said the commission has established 4,011 functional registration centres across the 774 LGAs, with plans to expand to about 8,000 centres nationwide.
According to him, in Rivers State, structures have been put in place and personnel are working with health facilities, LGAs and community stakeholders to ensure accessibility.
Ogiri explained that the VitalReg platform offers faster registration, 24-hour access, automated data validation for accuracy, reduced paperwork and waiting time, enhanced record security, and a stronger national database to support other government information systems.
He added that the platform would integrate seamlessly with Nigeria’s national digital identity framework, including the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) to improve coordination and service delivery.
“The initiative builds on the launch of the E-CRVS System and the inauguration of the National Coordination Committee on CRVS by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on November 8, 2023.
“It also aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda on digital transformation and transparency,” he said.
The NPC Commissioner stressed that success depends on partnerships and public participation and listed key collaborators as ALGON, NIMC, UNICEF and Barnksforte Technologies Limited.
“In Rivers State, we will continue to work closely with the State Government, Local Government Councils, healthcare providers, traditional institutions, religious organisations, development partners, civil society organisations and the media to ensure that no child or family is left behind,” he said.
The commissioner called on parents, guardians, healthcare workers and community leaders to ensure prompt registration of every birth and death, noting that a complete civil registration system strengthens governance and supports sustainable development.
He reassured the public that birth registration and birth notification services remain highly subsidised, though specialised administrative services such as record modification, certificate reissuance, attestations and verification will attract approved charges to support system sustainability.
Ogiri appreciated the Rivers State Government for its support, and commended NPC staff in the State, as well as development partners, LGAs, healthcare institutions, traditional and religious leaders for advancing civil registration in the state.
He also urged the media to continue to amplify the message “that every birth counts, every death matters and every Nigerian deserves a legal identity.”
“As we commence this new chapter, let us all work together to build a civil registration system that is modern, inclusive and trusted by all,” Ogiri concluded.