Editorial

That Odili’s Health Centre Gesture

Published

2 years ago

April 26, 2024

Ndoni, a small, but peaceful community in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State
was recently filled with excitement when eminent dignitaries, including Governor Siminalayi Fubara, attended the inauguration of the new Comprehensive Primary Healthcare Centre. This generous donation came from the PAMO Educational Foundation, established by former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili, who hails from the Ndoni community where he is deeply revered. The Foundation holds a special place in the hearts of the local people.
The inauguration ceremony was a source of great joy and celebration for the community, as the new healthcare facility promises to provide much-needed medical services to the people of Ndoni. The facility is built to provide a wide range of healthcare services, including maternal and child health, immunisation, family planning, and treatment for common illnesses. It is expected to significantly improve the health outcomes of the community, especially for women and children.
PAMO Educational Foundation’s unwavering dedication to enhancing the well-being of the Ndoni community and its environs is exemplified by the establishment of this health facility. The Foundation has consistently invested in initiatives that foster education and healthcare, and this new amenity is a testament to its ongoing commitment. PAMO’s rich history of supporting educational endeavours and healthcare programmes in the community has laid the groundwork for the Foundation’s continued contributions. The health resource stands as a beacon of hope, providing much-needed medical services and improving the quality of life for countless individuals.
Undoubtedly, the presence of dignitaries underscored the necessity of the event and the value placed on the health centre by the community and the state government. The Ndoni people expressed their profound gratitude to PAMO Educational Foundation and former Governor Odili for their generosity and commitment to the well-being of the community. They pledged to make good use of the health appliance and ensure that it served its intended purpose for many years to come.
The former health centre, a vital lifeline for the town and its neighbouring communities, fell victim to the relentless floods of the River Niger in 2020 and 2022. The torrential waters ravaged buildings, destroyed crops, killed livestock, and tragically claimed lives. In the wake of this devastation, residents were left without access to essential medical services, a cruel blow that compelled them to undertake arduous journeys to distant communities like Omoku for over two years. The old primary health amenity was erected during the administration of Odili and inaugurated in 2008.
The unveiling of the new health institution brought a surge of palpable relief and gratitude to the beneficiaries. The modern facility, equipped with state-of-the-art apparatus and dedicated medical professionals, stood as a symbol of hope and resilience. It marked a new chapter in healthcare for the community, providing them with the means to access quality medical services in the comfort of their own surroundings. The trauma of the floods was slowly fading into memory, replaced by a sense of renewed optimism and a profound appreciation for the gift of healthcare.
Governor Fubara inaugurated the event, which provided a platform for reconciliation as numerous politicians who had previously distanced themselves from the current government were seen at the gathering, showing their support for Fubara’s administration. In his address, the governor thanked Dr Odili, the founder of the PAMO Educational Foundation, and a key political figure in the state, for standing by his administration in the wake of the political turmoil in the state.
He pledged his government’s support to the Ndoni people by enhancing the healthcare accommodation and highlighting Odili’s legacy as a valuable gift. The administration aims to provide quality education, healthcare services, and empowerment, including agriculture and human capital development. Fubara has already approved the recruitment of 1,000 medical doctors for primary health, Hospital Management Board, and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to improve healthcare delivery and ensure the use of zonal hospitals in the state.
Odili praised Fubara for his humility and commitment to protecting Rivers people in line with the constitution, and encouraged him to focus on providing good governance. He said: “Politics is over, it is now time for governance and you have to hit the ground running, you have touched the critical sectors. In less than one year in office, you have touched education, you have touched health, but the key to what you have done so far is the focus on human beings, on the people, especially the poor amongst you. Human beings are the soul of society. So touching the lives of human beings is more important, you have started showing signs of that.”
We express our sincere gratitude to the former governor for his incredible determination in establishing the health facility. This admirable deed will always be remembered in history as a symbol of his unwavering dedication to the health of the people in our state. By generously donating his personal resources, he has shown true patriotism and a deep love for his community. His selfless actions have not only provided essential healthcare services but have also inspired others to do the same.
For the Ndonis, the inauguration of the health facility marks a critical milestone in the provision of accessible and affordable healthcare. It is an attestation to Odili’s visionary leadership and his unwavering belief in the importance of investing in the health and well-being of his people. We celebrate this Rivers son for his exceptional foresight and humanity. His legacy will be forever linked to this exceptional facility, which will continue to serve as a beacon of hope and healing for generations to come.
All the elites in our state should emulate Odili by embracing a spirit of collaboration with the government to foster the development of the state rather than disparage aimlessly. Needless criticisms, on the other hand, can hinder progress and create an atmosphere of distrust. While constructive animadversion is essential for holding leaders accountable, excessive or unfounded negativity can undermine morale and discourage alliance. If we focus on solutions rather than problems, we can create a positive and productive environment that attracts investment, promotes innovation, and ultimately leads to a better future for all.
Peter Odili’s exploit underscores the critical role private sector infrastructural initiative plays in enhancing the economic landscape of a state. He has not only bridged the gap between the government and private entities, but has also set a precedent for cooperation that fosters innovation, attracts investments, and creates job opportunities. These partnerships are vital for unlocking the untapped potential of the state, laying the foundation for sustainable development. The government’s recognition and support of the private sector as a driver of economic progress are essential. Rivers State can progress towards a future characterised by robust economic transformation and an improved quality of life for its people, if it emulates Odili’s example of promoting synergy.

Editorial

Strike: Heeding ASUU’s Demands

Published

4 days ago

October 27, 2025

The Tide

The recent warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on October 13, though short-lived, has once again drawn national attention to the lingering crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. The strike was intended to last two weeks, but was suspended after appeals by eminent Nigerians. However, ASUU has warned that if the Federal Government fails to take concrete steps in addressing the issues, the union may have no option but to embark on an indefinite strike. This is a fearful prospect.

At the heart of this recurring crisis is the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement that the Federal Government willingly signed with the union. It is disheartening and embarrassing that more than a decade after that pact was reached, it remains a subject of dispute. The failure to uphold the terms of the agreement reflects a deeper malaise in the country’s governance culture: the inability to honour commitments.

That students and parents had begun to believe that ASUU strikes were gradually becoming a relic of the past makes the situation more regrettable. There was a general sense of relief after previous strikes ended, with many hoping that meaningful progress had been made. Unfortunately, the old cycle appears to be repeating itself. This latest action represents a huge setback for the education sector.

Historical records show that ASUU strikes have seldom benefited anyone. For students, the consequences are painful and lasting. Academic calendars are disrupted; graduation timelines become uncertain; careers are stalled before they even begin. Research activities, many of which are time-sensitive and tied to grants or international collaborations, are abruptly halted.

It is all the more lamentable that this impasse concerns a long-concluded agreement on the welfare of lecturers and the funding of universities. That successive governments have failed to honour commitments they voluntarily undertook raises questions about the seriousness of Nigeria’s leadership regarding education. Why should an agreement take over a decade to fully implement?

The constant resort to industrial action also highlights the plight of students, who remain the innocent casualties in this tussle. Many of them come from struggling homes, and their futures hang precariously in the balance each time universities are shut down. The insensitivity displayed by authorities in allowing matters to deteriorate to this level is deeply troubling.

Indeed, this development raises broader concerns about the Federal Government’s crisis management capability. The perception is that government officials are unbothered because their children are not affected by strikes; many school abroad or attend expensive private universities locally. This is a sad reflection of the decline in confidence in public institutions.

University lecturers should ideally be devoting their time to research, mentorship, publications and innovation. Instead, many are forced to expend creative energy on survival. It is no secret that some lecturers, faced with poor remuneration and harsh economic conditions, resort to unethical means such as demanding payment from students. When the system fails, moral decay becomes inevitable.

The salary disparity between Nigerian lecturers and their counterparts in other African countries is glaring. A Nigerian lecturer reportedly earns the equivalent of between $300 and $600 per month depending on rank, while a lecturer in Ghana earns about $1,200 on average. In Kenya, salaries range around $1,000 monthly, and in South Africa, they are higher, with lecturers earning between $2,000 and $3,500 monthly. Such disparities contribute to brain drain and low morale among Nigerian academics.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has continued to expend enormous sums on non-essential ventures. Billions have been spent on luxury vehicles for political office holders, frequent foreign trips, inflated contracts and poorly managed subsidy schemes. These funds, if redirected, could strengthen university infrastructure, boost research grants and improve staff welfare.

It is therefore crucial for the government to adopt a more proactive approach. The usual threat of “no work, no pay” will not resolve the crisis; rather, it deepens mistrust. ASUU has demonstrated time and again that it cannot be cowed into submission. Genuine dialogue, not intimidation, is the only path forward.

The union’s persistence is fuelled by the government’s perceived insincerity. ASUU is not asking for anything new; it is simply requesting that promises already made be fulfilled. This scenario mirrors the broader challenge of governance in Nigeria, where stakeholders grow tired of endless promises and little delivery.

If this situation is allowed to escalate, the consequences could be dire. Students forced out of academic activity for long periods may become vulnerable to crime, drug abuse and social vices. The nation can ill afford another contributing factor to youth restiveness at this delicate time.

The Minister of Education must handle this matter with urgency and diplomacy. Nigeria is already grappling with economic distress, insecurity and political tension. A full-scale ASUU strike would only deepen national instability. The authorities must act now—honour agreements, restore trust, and place education where it truly belongs: at the centre of national development priorities.

Editorial

Making Rivers’ Seaports Work

Published

2 weeks ago

October 17, 2025

The Tide

When Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, received the Board and Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), led by its Chairman, Senator Adeyeye Adedayo Clement, his message was unmistakable: Rivers’ seaports remain underutilised, and Nigeria is poorer for it. The governor’s lament was a sad reminder of how neglect and centralisation continue to choke the nation’s economic arteries.
The governor, in his remarks at Government House, Port Harcourt, expressed concern that the twin seaports — the NPA in Port Harcourt and the Onne Seaport — have not been operating at their full potential. He underscored that seaports are vital engines of national development, pointing out that no prosperous nation thrives without efficient ports and airports. His position aligns with global realities that maritime trade remains the backbone of industrial expansion and international commerce.
Indeed, the case of Rivers State is peculiar. It hosts two major ports strategically located along the Bonny River axis, yet cargo throughput has remained dismally low compared to Lagos. According to NPA’s 2023 statistics, Lagos ports (Apapa and Tin Can Island) handled over 75 per cent of Nigeria’s container traffic, while Onne managed less than 10 per cent. Such a lopsided distribution is neither efficient nor sustainable.
Governor Fubara rightly observed that the full capacity operation of Onne Port would be transformative. The area’s vast land mass and industrial potential make it ideal for ancillary businesses — warehousing, logistics, ship repair, and manufacturing. A revitalised Onne would attract investors, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth, not only in Rivers State but across the Niger Delta.
The multiplier effect cannot be overstated. The port’s expansion would boost clearing and forwarding services, strengthen local transport networks, and revitalise the moribund manufacturing sector. It would also expand opportunities for youth employment — a pressing concern in a state where unemployment reportedly hovers around 32 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Yet, the challenge lies not in capacity but in policy. For years, Nigeria’s maritime economy has been suffocated by excessive centralisation. Successive governments have prioritised Lagos at the expense of other viable ports, creating a traffic nightmare and logistical bottlenecks that cost importers and exporters billions annually. The governor’s call, therefore, is a plea for fairness and pragmatism.
Making Lagos the exclusive maritime gateway is counter productive. Congestion at Tin Can Island and Apapa has become legendary — ships often wait weeks to berth, while truck queues stretch for kilometres. The result is avoidable demurrage, product delays, and business frustration. A more decentralised port system would spread economic opportunities and reduce the burden on Lagos’ overstretched infrastructure.
Importers continue to face severe difficulties clearing goods in Lagos, with bureaucratic delays and poor road networks compounding their woes. The World Bank’s Doing Business Report estimates that Nigerian ports experience average clearance times of 20 days — compared to just 5 days in neighbouring Ghana. Such inefficiency undermines competitiveness and discourages foreign investment.
Worse still, goods transported from Lagos to other regions are often lost to accidents or criminal attacks along the nation’s perilous highways. Reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps indicate that over 5,000 road crashes involving heavy-duty trucks occurred in 2023, many en route from Lagos. By contrast, activating seaports in Rivers, Warri, and Calabar would shorten cargo routes and save lives.
The economic rationale is clear: making all seaports operational will create jobs, enhance trade efficiency, and boost national revenue. It will also help diversify economic activity away from the overburdened South West, spreading prosperity more evenly across the federation.
Decentralisation is both an economic strategy and an act of national renewal. When Onne, Warri, and Calabar ports operate optimally, hinterland states benefit through increased trade and infrastructure development. The federal purse, too, gains through taxes, duties, and improved productivity.
Tin Can Island, already bursting at the seams, exemplifies the perils of over-centralisation. Ships face berthing delays, containers stack up, and port users lose valuable hours navigating chaos. The result is higher operational costs and lower competitiveness. Allowing states like Rivers to fully harness their maritime assets would reverse this trend.
Compelling all importers to use Lagos ports is an anachronistic policy that stifles innovation and local enterprise. Nigeria cannot achieve its industrial ambitions by chaining its logistics system to one congested city. The path to prosperity lies in empowering every state to develop and utilise its natural advantages — and for Rivers, that means functional seaports.
Fubara’s call should not go unheeded. The Federal Government must embrace decentralisation as a strategic necessity for national growth. Making Rivers’ seaports work is not just about reviving dormant infrastructure; it is about unlocking the full maritime potential of a nation yearning for balance, productivity, and shared prosperity.

Editorial

Addressing The State Of Roads In PH

Published

4 weeks ago

October 6, 2025

The Tide

The current state of roads in Port Harcourt is nothing short of deplorable. Each passing day, commuters and residents are confronted with worsening conditions that threaten both livelihoods and safety. It is evident that the past six months of administrative inactivity left the city’s infrastructure unattended, a neglect that has now returned to haunt the state capital.

When the former sole administrator was in charge, the promise of good roads appeared to have been placed on hold. Little or nothing was done to repair or rehabilitate the crumbling road network. Port Harcourt residents bore the brunt of this neglect, enduring long hours in traffic, damaged vehicles, and endless frustration.

Now that Governor Siminalayi Fubara has returned to the saddle, urgent steps must be taken to mobilise contractors back to project sites. Abandoned road construction projects must not be allowed to wither into oblivion. The governor’s return should mark a revival of the momentum once witnessed when roads were given prominence in the development agenda.

But the issue is not simply about new construction. Maintenance remains an essential component of sustainable infrastructure. The Road Maintenance Agency, established by a previous administration, was designed as an interventionist outfit to address minor potholes before they degenerated into major hazards. Today, residents are left to wonder if that agency still exists. If it has become comatose, then the time has come to revive it.

The importance of roads in economic growth cannot be overstated. Smooth and accessible roads facilitate movement, reduce transport costs, and open up communities for trade. In a commercial hub like Port Harcourt, where businesses thrive on logistics, the lack of functional roadways translates directly into stifled productivity.

Equally troubling is the security dimension. Bad roads provide fertile ground for criminals to operate. Robbers and kidnappers exploit traffic gridlocks and broken stretches of road to target unsuspecting motorists. Repairing these roads is not just a matter of convenience but one of safety and protection of lives.

It is worth recalling that before the declaration of the emergency rule, Rivers State was experiencing a boom in road construction. That momentum, however, was abruptly truncated in the past six months. Roads that should have been nearing completion are now left in ruins, with residents left at the mercy of potholes and impassable stretches.

Governor Fubara should not be discouraged by the distractions of the emergency rule. He must, instead, pick up from where he stopped, breathing fresh life into stalled projects. More than ever, his resolve is needed to restore confidence in governance and demonstrate that promises made will indeed be promises kept.

Sadly, most of the roads today are in worse condition than they were before the emergency declaration. The problem is compounded by the peculiar geography of Rivers State. With Port Harcourt being a city that experiences heavy rainfall, flooding frequently worsens the challenges on the roads. Poor drainage leaves highways waterlogged, further eroding asphalt and inconveniencing commuters.

Specific areas demand urgent attention. The Ikwerre and NTA Roads, Elioparanwo Road, Rukpokwu Roundabout, Rumuokwuta Road and Airport Road are crying out for repairs. The potholes on these roads not only slow movement but also damage vehicles and expose pedestrians to danger. These black spots deserve priority action before they become completely impassable.

The identity of Port Harcourt as the “Garden City” is being eroded by these infrastructural failures. A city once renowned for its beauty risks descending into the unflattering tag of a “Garbage City”. Sadly, several abandoned construction sites have degenerated into refuse dumps. The St John’s/Ogbogoro Road stands as a shameful example of this neglect.

To make matters worse, residents have begun encroaching on areas designated for the Ring Road project. Such encroachments are a direct sabotage of development efforts. The authorities must rise to the occasion by protecting public infrastructure from illegal occupation and ensuring that earmarked sites serve their original purpose.

What the state requires now is a dual approach: prompt utilisation of earmarked construction areas and the simultaneous rehabilitation of existing roads riddled with potholes. Fubara must ensure that while new road projects are pursued, old roads do not completely collapse. Both efforts can and must go hand in hand.

Rivers people also deserve clarity on the status of the Road Maintenance Agency. If defunct, it should be reactivated without delay. Neglecting small potholes only leads to bigger, costlier problems in future. In line with his promise upon his return from suspension that “no loss is irretrievable”, the governor must retrieve every abandoned project and restore hope to weary residents.

Roads in Port Harcourt are the arteries through which the city breathes. Leaving them broken is to suffocate its economy, endanger its people, and tarnish its reputation. What is now required is decisive action—swift, consistent, and sustained.