Rivers
Fubara, New Spirit In Rivers – Cleric
Following the political disagreement between the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, a South Africa-based cleric, Dr Pikibo Ngeri Rowlands, has described Governor Fubara as a new political spirit amongst Rivers people.
He described the Governor as awakening a new spirit among the Rivers people, a spirit that openly and boldly challenged the former Governor’s political structure.
Rowlands, who stated this to The Tide during an exclusive interview in Port Harcourt, noted that establishing a political structure in the state by the incumbent Governor “is never a crime”.
The Okirika born politician and researcher at University of Johannesburg, South Africa, said, “I believed Governor Fubara has the right to establish his own political structure if he desires.
“In the spirit of democratic governance, it is crucial for each governor to serve their people independently”.
The Sociologist, who commended the FCT Minister for his developmental strides in the state, during his tenure.
“I hold great respect for Barrister Nyesom Wike’s contributions to Rivers State during his tenure.
“In my perspective, a Governor is fundamentally a privileged servant of the people, the voice representing their interests in local affairs”, he said.
He also said the Governor is an integral part of the Rivers people that democratically elected him, rather than an agent of the Federal Government.
He continued that while maintaining loyalty to the people of Rivers, Governor Fubara may advocate for their needs, even if it conflicts with the political structure coming down from the federal level.
“It is within this context that I observe Governor Fubara awakening a ‘new spirit’ among the Rivers people”, he said.
Dr Rowlands stated that Rivers Community in South Africa has also embraced this new spirit.
”I can confidently affirm that the Rivers community in South Africa has also embraced this new spirit, aligning with the sentiments of the Rivers people”, he stated.
On the defections of 25 lawmakers from peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to All Progressive Congress (APC) in the state and the resignation of commissioners from Governor Fubara’s cabinet, the university teacher said, he sees potential in absorbing them back into the fold if they embrace the new spirit prevailing in Rivers State.
“I may not fully align with President Tinubu’s peace plan, but I see potential in absorbing them back into the fold if they embrace the new spirit prevailing in Rivers State.
“I think Governor Fubara will be open to collaboration if they align with the common interests of the Rivers people.
”I must warn that their continued defiance, however, will jeopardise the aspirations of Rivers people for a fresh approach to governance”, he noted.
H admonished the political class and stakeholders in the State to eschew violence and embrace peace in the common interest of the State.
“I endorse the prevailing spirit among the people of Rivers State. Governor Fubara should be given the freedom to serve the broader interests of the state with a political structure that is loyal to his vision.
“He must bravely resist any structures undermining his authority and oppose elements of peace plans that do not align with the people’s interests.
“In the spirit of defiance, Governor Fubara should akin to St. Peter’s defiant spirit in his days when he said, ‘Shall we obey God or man’.
“No one can deny that the new spirit that moves Rivers people reflects a divine force guiding the people”, he concluded.
By: Chinedu Wosu
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.