The Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Rivers State Council, has commended Governor Siminalayi Fubara for commissioning several landmark projects initiated by his administration, despite the political challenges that have confronted the state in recent times.
The union also called on members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to expedite action on the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill earlier presented by the governor.
Chairman of the NCSU, Rivers State Council, Comrade Chukwuka Richman Osumah, made the position known during an interview in Port Harcourt.
Osumah said the union was pleased that the Fubara administration had continued to deliver and commission projects across the state despite the political challenges it had encountered.
He described the development as “soothing, heart-warming and commendable,” noting that the completion and commissioning of the projects demonstrated the governor’s commitment to delivering on his promises to the people of Rivers State.
According to him, it is worthy of celebration that Governor Fubara has remained focused on governance and ensured the completion of several major projects that are now being commissioned across the State.
He assured the governor of the support and solidarity of civil servants, saying members of the NCSU would continue to attend commissioning ceremonies across the State to identify with the administration and celebrate its achievements.
Osumah, who also doubles as Secretary of the Joint National Public Negotiating Council (JNC), Rivers State Council, said such support was equally a demonstration of the workers’ appreciation for what he described as the administration’s positive interventions in the welfare of civil servants over the past three years.
“We want to tell him boldly, clearly and in unequivocal terms that we are solidly behind him. Wherever he goes and wherever he pitches his political tent, that is where we will go. The civil servants are truly happy with him,” he said.
The NCSU chairman also commended Governor Fubara for what he described as his peaceful disposition and commitment to the welfare of workers in the State.
On the prevailing political situation in Rivers State, Osumah expressed satisfaction with the relative peace and political stability in the State, stressing that a peaceful environment was essential for meaningful development.
He therefore appealed to members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to take advantage of the current peaceful atmosphere to expedite the passage of the 2026 Appropriation Bill, and applauded them for coming to terms with the Governor.
He noted that the passage of the budget would ultimately facilitate the overall development of the State.
According to him, the passage of the budget would also provide the necessary financial framework for the governor to complete and commission other ongoing projects initiated by his administration before the end of his tenure in 2027.
While appreciating the lawmakers for accepting and receiving the Appropriation Bill for consideration, Osumah urged them to reciprocate Governor Fubara’s stated willingness to work with the Assembly and the Rainbow Coalition by giving the bill speedy consideration and passage.
He maintained that a harmonious working relationship among the executive, legislature and other stakeholders would further strengthen peace and create the right atmosphere for the continued development of Rivers State.
The NCSU chairman reiterated the union’s commitment to supporting initiatives that promote workers’ welfare, peace, stability and sustainable development in the State.

Eight states across Nigeria have converged in Port Harcourt for the 2026 edition of the President’s Inter-Senior Secondary Schools Debate Championship, hosted by Rivers State Government.

The three_days championship, themed “27th Democracy & 3rd Year Anniversary of President Ahmed Tinubu Inter-Senior Schools Debate Championship,” opened on Monday at Government Girls Secondary School, Rumueme, Port Harcourt.

The participating states are Ebonyi, Abia, Delta, Sokoto, Yobe, Kwara, Enugu, and host state Rivers. Each state is represented by its top debaters selected through state-level contests.

Declaring the event open, the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, said the championship goes beyond winning trophies. He described it as a national investment in the next generation of leaders.

“This platform is for nurturing young minds,” Nwagor said. “It builds critical thinking, research skills, confidence, effective communication, and the ability to engage constructively with views different from one’s own. These are the very qualities upon which responsible leadership and nation-building are founded.”

The Commissioner commended the organizers, participating schools, teachers, and coordinators for their commitment to promoting intellectual excellence among Nigerian youths.

He urged the students to compete with confidence, discipline, and respect. “Debate is not merely about winning an argument,” he noted. “It is about listening carefully, reasoning with clarity, presenting your evidence with honesty, and having the grace to learn from others. Let the quality of your ideas and the strength of your character define your participation here.”

Nwagor assured the participants that Rivers State is proud to play its part in raising a generation that will bring bold and innovative solutions to the country’s challenges. He wished all teams a rewarding, memorable, and successful championship.

Earlier in his welcome address, the National Coordinator of the President’s Schools Debate Nigeria, PSDN, Elder Dare Oritu, called the event a “gathering of minds” drawn from different parts of the country.

According to Oritu, debate is about three things. “It is about _unity_. It brings us together from different schools and backgrounds to learn from one another. It is about _broadening the mind_. It teaches you to think deeply, to listen well, to ask ‘why,’ and to defend your ideas with facts and respect. It is about _preparing you for leadership_. The problem-solvers and decision-makers of tomorrow are in this hall today.”

He reminded the students that debate is not a contest of aggression. “Debate is _not a fight_. We challenge ideas, not people. It is _not about who is better_. And it is _not do-or-die_. We win with grace, and we learn with humility,” Oritu said.

The PSDN National Coordinator encouraged all participants to compete with integrity, speak with clarity, and leave wiser than they came. He wished them the very best throughout the competition.

Highlights of the opening ceremony included the official draw for debate matches, administered by PSDN officials. The pairings will determine which states face each other in the preliminary rounds as the battle for the 2026 national title begins.

Amadi Akujobi

The National Institute of Information Technology (NIIT), Port Harcourt, has graduated 61 students from its six-month Cybersecurity training programme. The institute also inducted 48 new students for the new academic session during a brief ceremony held at its Port Harcourt centre on Monday.

Centre Manager of NIIT Port Harcourt, Mr. Precious Ogulu Tom, said the institute is always excited to induct students into cybersecurity because it is one of its flagship courses with strong international recognition. He noted that the centre’s performance has earned it high ratings from ICSS, adding that in the past academic year, more than 20 students passed ICSS certification exams.

According to him, beyond the NIIT certificate, which is globally recognized, students also proceed to ICSS and complete their courses without difficulty. He credited the faculty for maintaining standards and said NIIT remains the leading ICT training institute in Port Harcourt and Rivers State.

Tom said NIIT has a presence in all major cities in Nigeria and its headquarters in India, with training covering all areas of ICT. He added that every year the institute produces at least one first-class graduate in Software Engineering from partner universities such as Middlesex University and the University of Sunderland. He described the institute’s approach as practical and hands-on.

On fees, he addressed comments about cost online, saying quality training requires investment. “Does anything good come easy? Nothing good comes easy,” he stated. He explained that students receive industry-standard books and globally recognized certificates, and invited parents and prospective students to register with NIIT for value-driven training.

Also speaking, Principal Instructor for Cybersecurity and Ethical Hacking, Mr. Nyekwere TamunoTonye, said the cohort began in February with high expectations and completed the programme in six months. He said one notable achievement was that the class remained largely intact despite challenges, including system breakdowns and family issues. “At the end of this six months, we never lost anybody. That is the greatest. So, we give God the glory,” he said.

Nyekwere said students were exposed to multiple domains in cybersecurity and received strong practical training. He told the graduands that their real learning starts now and urged them not to relent. “This is no longer the time you go back to play,” he added.

He emphasized that the institute equipped them not only with technical and practical skills but also with character and a mindset for continuous learning. He noted that no institution, including Harvard or Yale, can teach everything, but good schools set the path, which NIIT has done.

He charged them to deploy their skills positively. “I don’t want to see any of you being arrested by the EFCC tomorrow. I don’t want to see any of you being arrested by the police. I don’t want to see any of you being arrested,” he said.

Senior IT Counselor and Head of Sales and Marketing, Mrs. Igbigbari Vincent-Eretoru, congratulated the graduands for completing the programme and defending their presentations according to NIIT academic standards. She said certificates are awarded in character and learning, and urged them to be good ambassadors of NIIT Port Harcourt by applying what they learned.

Responding on behalf of the graduates, Class Section Head Tamunotonyesia Epelle said many came in with questions and uncertainty about specializations but left with clarity, confidence, and technical competence gained through practical assignments, teamwork, and the instructor’s push to avoid mediocrity.