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‘New RSUST To Gulp N150bn’
The new campus of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), which is sited at the Greater Port Harcourt City, is planned to be built and equipped to world standard, with state-of-the-art facilities.
Governor Amaechi disclosed this last Thursday while speaking at a meeting with members of the Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN), Rivers State branch at the Christ Apostolic Church, Rivers District Headquarters, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
The governor explained that the achievements recorded in the education sector by the state government had been acknowledged by the Federal Government, which awarded to the state the sum of N70 million consecutively for two years for outstanding performance in the sector.
The State Executive noted that on assumption of office, he was confronted with the decay in the education sector, saying, the only way to adequately address the problem’ was to start from the foundation, hence, the decision of government to take over the funding of primary education from the local government councils.
He explained that if tertiary institutions must produce the right graduates, the foundation must be strong, and that accounts for why the state government decided to invest heavily in primary and secondary education. He noted that the facilities provided in the new schools were comparable to some of the best in the world.
The governor explained that he vowed to God to use his position to help the poor, by building social institutions, that would guarantee equal access to all citizens, but remarked that the services cannot be of benefit to the people if security of lives and property are threatened.
Governor Amaechi said he tackled criminality in the state to restore confidence in the populace to enable them undertake their legitimate means of livelihood, pointing out that the present government in the state had done enough to convince people on the need to have a sustainable governance.
He urged members of the CPFN to register during the forthcoming voters registration exercise to enable them vote for candidates of their choice, and solicited for prayers to see him through the elections in 2011.
Earlier, the Chairman of Christian Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (CPFN), Reverend Godwin Osuigbo, commended the State Governor for his qualitative leadership, particularly in roads construction, Education, Healthcare and restoration of peace and tranquility in the state.
Rev. Osuigbo used the opportunity to assure the governor that they would mobilise their members to register to enable them vote, and pledged the support of CPFN to the ambition of Rt. Hon Amaechi to contest the 2011 election at various project sites.
The governor later conducted members of CPFN round some of the state government projects and also held interactive session with them.
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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