News

Eulogies As Jonathan, Wike, Aisha, Others Pay Last Respects To OB Lulu-Briggs

Published

5 years ago

March 15, 2021

Prominent Nigerians, including the former President, Dr Goodluck Jonathan; his wife, Patience; Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike; wife of the President, Aisha Buhari; former Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke; and his wife, Onari; former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia; Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva; Minister of State for Mines and Steel Development, Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah; politicians, business moguls, and traditional rulers, last weekend, thronged the ancient Abonnema town in Kalabari Kingdom to pay their last respects to late oil magnate and philanthropist, High Chief Olu Benson Lulu-Briggs.
The funeral service, which had the customary combination of pomp and pageantry, was also graced by Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr Ipalibo Harry Banigo; former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Sir Austin Opara; Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Rivers State chapter, Amb Desmond Akawor; Secretary to Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo; Amayanabo of Opobo Kingdom and Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas-Jaja; the Amayanabo of Abonnema, King Disrael Bob-Manuel; Chairman of Rivers Elders’ Council, High Chief Ferdinand Alabraba; former Managing Directors of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Timi Alaibe and Ms Joi Nunieh.
Also in attendance was the representative of the Catholic Church, retired Archbishop of Abuja, Cardinal John Onaiyekan, Nigerian Ambassador to Jamaica, Ms Maureen Tamnuno; and Managing Director of Heritage Bank Plc, Mr. Ifie Sekibo; amongst others.
Interred last Saturday amid flowery eulogies from across broad spectrum of Nigerians, O.B. Lulu-Briggs, who passed on to glory at the golden age of 88 was until his demise, the Iniikeiroari V of Kalabari, paramount head of Oruwari Briggs War Canoe House of Abonnema in Akuku-Toru LGA.
The crowd in the serene riverine community was unprecedented as dignitaries, family, and friends gathered for what many described as a celebration of life.
Jonathan arrived in company with his wife about midday, and was received by the state chief executive and his deputy.
Wike, the chief host, also led the delegation of dignitaries, to honour O.B.Lulu-Briggs with a state funeral.
In his tribute, Jonathan said, “I find it very difficult to express myself when talking about Chief O. B. Lulu-Briggs. I knew him very well from 2007 when I got involved into national politics.
“When the PDP nominated me to be running mate to late President Umaru Yar’Adua, and was looking for top politicians and respected leaders within the Niger Delta who can support the political process, our late father is one of the persons that were recommended.
“As vice president, and had to oversee the Niger Delta region, he was one of those that were recommended that I should work with. And it worked exactly as said. He helped us in many ways in government.
“And I came here with Chief Banigo and from that day, we started relating until his last days and of course he helped us in several ways. It’s a very sad thing when I got the news that we have lost him. Yes, he has his direct children like Dumo and others but he has more than that. O. B. Lulu-Briggs was a very sophisticated man.
“If you glance through his biography, you will know that he started from a very humble beginning but became very successful, and that is the key in life. Not how you start life but how you end life that matters most. Though he started quite small, see how he’s ended big!

By: Nelson Chukwudi

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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.