Author: Emmanuel Obe

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has described the reconstruction of the 19.79-kilometre Buguma-Degema-Abonnema Road as a major milestone for his administration, saying a project once considered an imagination has now become a reality. Governor Fubara stated this during the inauguration of the road at Team Junction in Asari-Toru Local Government Area, as he commenced a week-long programme of project commissioning across the state. The governor said the road was in a deplorable condition before his administration undertook its reconstruction, subjecting residents, motorists and other road users to years of hardship. Recalling his personal experience on the road, Fubara said he…

Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG), the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and Rivers State University (RSU) have commenced construction of a US$6.2 million (about N8.43 billion) Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering at the university in Port Harcourt. The groundbreaking ceremony for the NLNG Research and Innovation Centre for Computer and Electrical Engineering (RICCEE) was held on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the RSU campus, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo. The project is being implemented under NLNG’s Human Capacity Development (HCD) Plan and forms part of the NCDMB Human Capital Development Institutional Strengthening Programme. The centre is expected to enhance…

The Rivers State Government will from Monday, August 17, commence the commissioning of 10 major people-oriented projects across the state as part of efforts by the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara to deepen development at the grassroots. The commissioning programme, which will run until August 28, will cover several local government areas and will include roads, bridges, healthcare facilities, educational infrastructure and other public facilities. The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Dagogo Wokoma, disclosed this on Friday during a media briefing in Port Harcourt. Wokoma said the projects were tangible evidence of Governor Fubara’s commitment to transforming communities…

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to return and complete an electrification project originally awarded to Baa-Lueku Community in Obioakpor Local Government Area of Rivers State. The development followed intervention by Dr. Fabeke Douglas of the Ogoni Liberation Initiative and a recent meeting with the NDDC to resolve the controversy surrounding the relocation of the project. The electrification project was initially awarded on March 2, 2011, to Rados Global Service Limited at a contract sum of N198,340,365. According to a report issued by Fabeke on Thursday, August 13, the contractor commenced work but stopped midway. A…

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the implementation of the new salary structure for staff of all state-owned tertiary institutions, with effect from 2026. The State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor, disclosed this on Thursday, August 13, 2026, during a familiarisation visit to the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt. According to a press release issued by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, Nwagor said the payment of the new salary structure and the accompanying arrears would commence as soon as funds are released by the state government. The commissioner…

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has introduced comprehensive new standards governing the education, training, assessment, examination, certification, revalidation, endorsement and medical fitness certification of Nigerian seafarers. The reforms, contained in the Merchant Shipping (STCW) Regulations 2025, are designed to align Nigeria’s seafarer development framework with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978, as amended. NIMASA said the new standards would strengthen safety and professional competence while enhancing the global recognition and competitiveness of Nigerian seafarers. Under the reforms, updated National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) curricula in Nautical…

…NMA demands Investigation The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Rivers State Branch, has expressed grief over the death of a young medical doctor, Dr. Stephen Vanman, whose lifeless body was found in Port Harcourt after he was reported missing. The NMA said the cause of death remained unknown, while calling on security agencies to thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding his death and ensure that anyone found responsible is brought to justice. In a statement signed by the Secretary of the NMA Rivers State Branch, Dr. Diamond Tonye-Obene, the Association said its State Officers Committee (SOC) was informed of Dr. Vanman’s disappearance…

The management of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Rivers State, has suspended all remaining activities of the Students’ Union Government Week following the shooting of a first-year student on the university campus. The student was reportedly shot on Wednesday by suspected gang members, barely 48 hours after a clash between two rival gang groups was said to have occurred at the institution on Monday. The circumstances surrounding Wednesday’s shooting were still unclear as of press time, while the identity and motive of the alleged assailants remained unknown. A viral video circulating online showed the injured student lying on a…

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has charged the newly elected leadership of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Worldwide to reposition the organisation and restore the values upon which it was founded. Diri gave the charge on Wednesday when the new IYC President Worldwide, Dr. Doubra Collins Okotete, and members of his National Executive Council paid a courtesy visit to the governor at Government House, Yenagoa. The governor congratulated the new executive on its emergence, describing the IYC as the umbrella body and conscience of Ijaw youths worldwide. He urged the leadership to prioritise unity, peace and development while working…

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has dismissed reports of a disagreement between his administration and the State House of Assembly over the 2026 Appropriation Bill. The governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi, said on Wednesday that he was not at loggerheads with members of the Assembly, insisting that both arms of government were working together in the interest of the people of the state. The clarification followed reports published by some national newspapers and online platforms alleging a disagreement between the Executive and Legislative arms over the 2026 budget proposal. According to the statement, the reports were misleading,…