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Bomb Blast Victims Want Govt Aid

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16 years ago

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The victims of the Warri bomb blast have appealed to the state government to assist them in footing their hospital bills.

The victims, who are receiving treatment in government hospitals in Ekpan and Warri in Delta State made the call in an interview with newsmen in Warri.

A victim, Mr Sunny Yemi, said he took the expressway on the day of the incident on his way to Ifie in Warri South Local Government Area of Delta on his motorcycle.

He said that as he was approaching Government House axis of the expressway, the car bomb exploded, throwing him off the motorcycle.

Yemi, who sustained bruises on his forehead and hands, said he was receiving medical attention in the Warri General Hospital and called on the state government to assist him pay the bills.

He also said that he was yet to recover his motorcycle.

Another victim, Mr Blessing Eweta, said that he boarded a taxi from Okere in Warri to Ubeji when they ran into the explosion on the expressway.

He said that he was unconscious immediately and regained consciousness as he was being taken to hospital.

Eweta thanked God that he survived, but said that he could no longer meet his medical bills or fend for his family.

He said that he was a security employee of Omadinho hospital in Warri and a father of six children, and appealed to Gov. Emmanuel Uduaghan to come to his aid.

Our correspondent learnt that the decision of the head teacher of a private primary school in Warri to close the school on the day of the post amnesty dialogue must have saved the pupils lives.

The school, International Unity School (IUS), Edjeba, Warri, shares the same fence with the Government House annex in Warri.

A source, who pleaded anonymity, told newsmen that they quarrelled with their Head Teacher, Miss Evelyn Koko, for imposing a two-day holiday to allow for the dialogue.

The source said, “We were supposed to do revision for the children that Monday and Tuesday before their examination would commence on Wednesday.

“We argued with the head teacher, but she kept on saying that she was not comfortable to allow the children to come to school on those two days.

“She also asked us where would the parents park their cars while bringing the children to school on those days and said that it was better the children stayed home.’’

The source said that when he heard that their school was affected by the explosion, he wondered how many casualties would have been recorded.

“All our louvers shattered, electric bulbs fell of the holders. I wondered how many children would have been cut by the pieces of glasses or what stampede would have caused.

“Parents reaction would have been unimaginable. In fact, that day would have been a black Monday for us but God saved us using our head teacher,’’ the source said.

The proposed two-day Post-Amnesty Dialogue organised by the Vanguard Media Ltd in Warri was abruptly suspended on its first day due to two car bomb explosions.

A faction of the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) had claimed responsibility for the explosions, which many Nigerians have condemned.

The dialogue was designed to promote sustainable peace and development in the Niger Delta.

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HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.
This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.
According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”
She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.
As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.
A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.
Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.
The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.
By John Bibor
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Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.
For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.
On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.
Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.
It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.
The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.
Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.
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Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

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5 days ago

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February 2, 2026

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The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.
The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.
According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.
The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.
It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.
The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.
Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.
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