News
Fubara Explains How RSHA Stalled Budget Presentation
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that he was denied access into the premises of the Assembly Quarters to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill despite formally notifying the leadership of the House of Assembly of his readiness to do so.
Governor Fubara made the explanation during the inauguaration of the Bori Zonal Hospital in Khana Local Government Area of the State on Wednesday.
The Governor emphasised that, in complying with the Supreme Court judgment, it was pertinent for every actor to be more interested in saving the economy of the State and ensure that public sector workers are not subjected to untold hardship.
Governor Fubara stated: “For that reason, I made all frantic efforts to reach the Speaker, which I believe, he cannot deny that, and other members of the Assembly.
“I went further to send WhatsApp information to him and others, notifying them that I will be coming by 10 O’clock this morning to present the budget so that there won’t be any reason why Rivers State will be in any fix because of me, as being alleged.
“But it was unfortunate when we got there this morning, we were denied access, and the next story I am hearing is that we didn’t make any communication. But I leave it to God who sees in secret places.”
Governor Fubara emphasised that he did everything that needed to be done to ensure that the situation was properly sorted out, but believes that when the lawmakers get instruction, maybe, later, they will comply with the Supreme Court judgment.
The Governor said: “I had to bring this up because I am aware of some news going round in the media that there was no communication, and that I was not complying. They even said that I was not making any effort. So, I feel it is an opportunity here where everybody can hear from me and understand the situation that we are facing.
“Like I said, nothing lasts forever. Even the greatest power, one day, it will end. What is most important is what we do with the power, and I have chosen, even if I have the power as they claim, and that I don’t know how to use it, I do not intend to abuse my powers.
“Because power, when you abuse it, is what leads to this kind of situation. I will not abuse it. I will continue to work and operate with so much restraint because I know that there is life after power.”
Commenting on the project, Governor Fubara said it is very satisfying to see to the fulfilment of an aspect of the agenda of his administration, which is ‘Rivers First’, particularly in healthcare delivery.
Governor Fubara explained the promise made to Rivers people by his administration to improve healthcare delivery, enhance provision of quality education, robust agriculture, and the protection of lives and property, which he said, are pursued assiduously.
The Governor recalled that the project being inauguarated was initiated during the administration of Chibuike Amaechi and inherited by the immediate past administration but could not drive it to completion.
Governor Fubara said: “When we came on board, we saw there is need to ensure that all the Zonal Hospitals, not just Bori, all the Zonal Hospitals we have in Etche, Ahoada, Omoku and Degema are completed.
“The essence of these secondary facilities is to reduce the pressure in the teaching hospitals. If you go to the teaching hospitals, you will see the number of our people struggling to get quality services.
‘So, we felt if the Zonal Hospitals are properly fixed up to standard, there won’t be need of this issue of scrambling in order to get medical attention in our teaching hospitals. And for that reason, we didn’t end by just fixing it the way we met it, we believe that it will be proper this facility is expanded and everything that is needed in a standard health facility is provided. And, I can tell you, to the glory of God today, those things are all in this compound.”
Governor Fubara, who said the health of Rivers people, their wellbeing and success are paramount, directed the Commissioner for Health to ensure that the facility is open for use immediately.
Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, said the Bori Zonal Hospital is not just a building but a symbol of progress, hope, and a brighter future wherein the people at the grassroots will be offered world-class medical services.
Dr Oreh stated: “This Zonal Hospital, is a 105-bed capacity secondary healthcare facility located in Bori, Khana Local Government Area. It is housed in a three storey building with support buildings, including a laundry, mortuary, staff quarters for 24 health personnel and their households, parking for 50 vehicles.
“It is specially important to note, Your Excellency, that giving your attention to the health sector, health facility attendance in Rivers South-East alone has increased by nearly 60 percent from about 589,000 patients in 2022 to nearly 1,000,000 between 2022 and 2024.
“The project objectives were first to provide referral secondary healthcare services with high quality equipment, which has been supplied by JNCI Limited for diagnosis and patients management of surgical cases, high risk pregnancies, trauma, critical healthcare conditions, newborn injuries and complications, and importantly, mental health issues to residents of Ogoniland and Rivers South-East Senatorial District.”
In her welcome address, Head of Local Government Administration of Khana Local Government Council, Mrs Helen Chiorlu, said the Bori Zonal Hospital, located in the heart of Khana Local Government Area is a magnificent edifice that stands as a testament to the commitment of Governor Fubara to uplift and transform the living standards and health status of the people.
News
Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf
Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.
The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.
CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.
The students, led by Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.
According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.
The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.
Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.
He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.
Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.
The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.
He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.
CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.
He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.
Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.
The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.
The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.
According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.
The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.
Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.
He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.
CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.
He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.
News
College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates For 2027 Polls
The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.
International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.
Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.
He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.
Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.
He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.
“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.
Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.
Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.
He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.
According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.
Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.
The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.
Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.
By: John Bibor
News
Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping
The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.
Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.
The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.
He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.
Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.
On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.
The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.
Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.
On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.
He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.
The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.
Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.
By; King Onunwor
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