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I’m Committed To Defence Of Justice- Gov Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has restated his avowed determination to defend the course of justice in the State, no matter what it will cost.
Governor Fubara spoke at the opening of the 2024/2025 Legal Year and Re-Dedication Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul’s, Anglican Communion, Diobu at Garrison Junction in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
The Governor said, unarguably, the Judiciary is sacred temple of justice and should always hold up such assurances for everybody that approached it, and not the other way.
Governor Fubara took a swipe at some legal luminaries, who smeared their conscience to canvass what is professionally an aberration, doing so to please their pay masters.
He said, “Some of you, you say you are legal luminaries. You know the truth, but you will go on air just to pacify your pay masters to turn the law upside down.
“We all know the law when it comes to issues that have to do with the administration of governance in the State; it is within the jurisdiction of the State High Court.
“It doesn’t matter whether you joined INEC, or Police. It is a State’s matter! I am not a lawyer, but I know that one. And you stand and say you are doing the right thing? God will judge you.”
Governor Fubara stated that within the temple of justice, judges are seen to represent God, who must not be afraid to look at those who come to equity, and dispense justice rightly without fear or favour.
The Governor warned that, because court judgments have far-reaching implications, great care needed to be taken in making judicial pronouncements.
He said, “Let me say it here so that you will understand: Judges, you are the God that we are seeing. Your position is to stand and defend us. Your position is to look at whoever and tell the person the truth.
“Because if you don’t do it here, you will have a big question to answer. The preacher said it, every evil done in the course of administering justice, you will pay for it dearly.”
Governor Fubara applauded the Rivers State Judiciary, particularly, the High Court Divisions for their sundry support that have contributed to keeping his administration going despite calculated antagonisms.
The State Governor alluded to the fact that some judicial officers in the State have been either threatened, physically assaulted or slammed with frivolous petitions raised against them to coerce them to submit.
Governor Fubara urged them to remain resolute in their commitment to stand on the side of truth, and never compromise justice.
He added, “I want to thank the Rivers State Judiciary, more especially, the High Court of Rivers State, for your support, for keeping this administration afloat up untill this hour.
“We know quite alright that a good number of you have been threatened by way of phone calls and even physical assaults. We are also aware that some of you have been threatened professionally through petitions that are fake and frivolous.
“But one thing that you need to understand is that you must be persecuted when you are doing the right thing. And those of you who are doing the right thing that are being fought from all sides, be courageous. Very soon, this whole thing will be over. Nothing lasts forever.”
Governor Fubara assured that the leadership of the Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Simeon Amadi, will record more successes under his administration.
The Governor, who promised to ensure that such is possible, also said that he will never call him or any other judge to do anything that is wrong.
Governor Fubara insisted that should there be such call, the chief judge should not hesitate to disgrace him publicly, and do same boldly to any other person who will call the CJ to do the wrong thing against the law.
He also harped on the importance of having strong institutions thrive to entrench democracy and good governance so as to engender a healthy and prosperous society.
The Governor said when institutions are deliberately weakened, it is the entire society that suffers eventually.
He explained, “What we are praying for in this country is institutional strength and not individual strength. Institutional strength is the only thing that will bring development in this country.
“If I am a businessman, and I am coming into Nigeria to invest, why will I invest when what I am seeing today is that institutions are weak and individuals are stronger than institutions?”
The Governor further said: “This State belongs to all of us. It is not about Fubara today. If this institution is destroyed, when another person comes in tomorrow, it is the same thing that will happen.
“We need to stand and defend it, and you are the right people to do it. I am here today to assure you that even if I have my last breath, I will defend the cause of justice in this State.”
Governor Fubara acknowledged the support so far that he had received from some persons who have remained resolute despite the several attacks they have received because they are refusing to allow detractors to sink the State.
He said the journey has not been easy for him and all Rivers people following the happenings, but assured that his administration has remained focused, regardless.
Governor Fubara insisted: “A lot of the good works that we are doing, the enemy is overshadowing it with bad news.
“But very soon, we are going to go into areas and programmes to showcase what we have been doing, not just for the Judiciary, but other aspects of governance in our dear State.
“I want to thank and assure you that I will continue to support you (Judiciary). And my prayers, as you start your new legal year, is that God will be with you, God will support you.”
Governor Fubara recalled that October, 2023, the story was different, but today, one year after, everybody is smiling because of the grace of God.
He emphasised that when God is in every business affairs, no matter the level of gang up, it will be difficult to be defeated, adding that because his administration has continued to trust in God, He will lead him and his team to glorious end.
In his sermon, the Bishop, Diocese of Niger Delta North, Rt. Rev. Wisdom Budu Ihunwo, preaching on the topic, “Called To Uphold Justice”, said Nigeria is collapsing, owing partly to the conflicting judgments always emanating from courts of coordinate jurisdiction, which have deepened the festering crisis.
Such deliberate incoherence from the Judiciary, Bishop Ihunwo, noted, skews leadership, jeopardises unity of the country, and affects smooth governance, making Nigerians direct or indirect needless victims of such brute justice system.
He warned that those who engage in such merchandise will be punished by God no matter how long it takes.
Bishop Ihunwo also exhorted on the eternal blessings associated with submission to constituted authority, regardless of the age and education of the occupants of such positions, asserting that all authority is ordained by God, warning that rebels will always be treated as rebels.
The State Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi, read the only Lesson of the Service.
There were prayers said for the continual help, strength, wisdom and boldness of the judicial officers to discharge their responsibilities, peace of Nigeria and Rivers State.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.
