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Ariolu Receives, Charges Rivers Utd Players
Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Barrister George Ariolu, last Monday, received two Obio/Akpor sons, Chigonum Ihunda and Darlington Ovunda, the Vice Captain and Goal Keeper of the Rivers United side that won the 2021/2022 NPFL Trophy, at the Council Headquarters, Rumuodomaya.
Ariolu, in a brief meeting at the Excecutive Chambers in the Council Secretariat, thanked both players for making a mark for themselves, proudly flying the flag of Obio/Akpor high and encouraged them to continue to contribute positively to the narrative changing process of his administration.
The chairman commended the duo and the entire Rivers United team for their commitment, discipline and resilience towards their emergence as champions of the Nigerian Professional Football League in the just concluded 2021/2022 season.
He also called for improved synergy between the players and the council to further encourage the development of sports and build on the achievements of his administration in human capacity development.
While reacting to the victory, Ariolu acknowledged the contributions of the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, particularly his personal efforts in reorganising the Rivers United team in 2015 which has led to their emergence as champions of the nation.
Ariolu, who reiterated his administration’s focus and vision to the people, said he would continue to identify with the successes of the people of Obio/Akpor in all spheres.
He added that the victory and success that the duo have brought to the area was worthy of commendation.
While congratulating the players on their success, he advised youths in the area to emulate the good examples of the vice captain and goal keeper, especially in their level of discipline and focus in achieving success.
He further admonished youths to follow in the direction of the players, condemning the high level of drug abuse and other crime-related cases amongst youths.
Ariolu, while complimenting the contributions of Wike to the team, splashed the sum of N500,000.00 on each of the players as part of encouragement to the Rivers United Vice Captain and Goal Keeper.
On their part, Ihunda and Ovunda, who pledged to continue making the area proud, described the Chairman as a winner following the team’s recent victory.
The vice captain also assured the chairman and members of his cabinet of more glory to his administration, adding that they would not fail in flying the flag of the local government higher to the continental and world levels.
By: Nelson Chukwudi
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Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON

Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
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Fubara Expresses Commitment To Healthcare …As UNICEF Lauds RSG On Health Programmes
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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