Author: Emmanuel Obe

The Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, is set to host its annual Press Week, themed, “Blue Economy: Starting Steps for Rivers State,” with a focus on “Enhancing The Safety and Economic Wellbeing of Journalists in a Period of Tension and Economic Crisis.” The event kicks off on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the NBA Hall, opposite the City Council secretariat in Port Harcourt. The week-long program aims to explore the potential of the Blue Economy for Rivers State, a sector that holds immense promise for economic diversification and growth. The theme reflects the…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, on Thursday hosted a delegation of Rivers State Caucus members at the National Assembly and stressed the importance of their partnership in realizing the state’s ambitious development agenda. The meeting, held at Government House in Port Harcourt, saw the Administrator outlining his administration’s priorities, focusing on restoring peace, fostering economic growth, and delivering vital public services. He said, “We have made notable progress in restoring peace and stability to our great state,” Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibas stated, acknowledging the difficult circumstances brought about by the recent declaration…

…Mitee, others dropped as non-executive directors President Bola Tinubu has approved the appointment of a new Group Chief Executive officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). He is Mr. Bashir Bayo Ojukari. Ojulari, who hails from Kwara State, was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Renaissance Africa Energy Company. Renaissance recently led a consortium of indigenous energy firms in the landmark acquisition of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria (SPDC), worth $2.4 billion. A new Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of NNPCL was also appointed. He is Ahmadu Musa Kids, who replaces Pius Akinyelure. The appointments…

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has reviewed its decision to hold its 2025 annual general conference (AGC) in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital because of the state of emergency declared by the President in the state. A statement issued by the association after a virtual meeting called to discuss the hosting of the conference, said, “The NBA at its virtual Emergency National Executive Council (NEC) meeting on Thursday, March 27 resolved to allow the National Executive Committee to Conduct further Consultations regarding the 2025 Annual General Conference scheduled to take place in Rivers State and report to NEC. “NEC…

Suspended Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has denied allegations made against him by the former Head of Service, Dr. George Nwaeke, in an explosive press statement televised on Channels TV on Friday. Nwaeke, in the scathing statement, leveled serious allegations against the governor, including one in which he said the governor orchestrated the burning of the State Assembly. Nwaeke alleged that the governor also attempted to demolish the Assembly members’ residences, and was actively plotting to destabilize the Niger Delta through violence and sabotage of oil pipelines. But Governor Fubara, in his response contained in a press statement, denied all…

The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice-Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, has approved the payment of March Salaries and pensions to civil servants, pensioners and suspended political appointees. A public service statement issued by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof Ibibia Worika, on Friday stated that the administrator has directed the Accountant-General to ensure that remittances for the payment of the salaries were made without delay. The statement said, “In keeping with the undertaking made to the good people of Rivers State, I am pleased to inform you that the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (RTD) Ibok – Ete…

The appointment of a serving military officer, Commodore Aminu Shehu, as Chief of Staff in Rivers State Government House has sparked outrage and fears of a creeping militarization of the state government. Critics, including former commissioners and civil society groups like the Ijaw Youth Council (Worldwide), argue that the appointment, coupled with the dismissal of all state officials by the Sole Administrator, retired Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas, signals a concerning trend. Former Commissioner Ibim Semenitari Criticized the appointment as superfluous, highlighting the existence of a permanent secretary who already fulfills the role. She emphasized that a serving military officer…

The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, marked by the declaration of a state of emergency and the suspension of the governor, has escalated to an international level. A coalition of almost 30 civil society groups has urged the United Nations to impose sanctions on Nigeria if the country fails to reinstate democratic governance in Rivers State.In a petition filed with the UN Human Rights Committee, the coalition, led by Egondu Esinwoke and Courage Nsirimovu, accused the Nigerian government of violating the country’s constitution and undermining democratic principles.They demanded that the UN pressure the Nigerian President to restore democratic governance…

The recent suspension of the public sector structure in Rivers State by the Sole Administrator has triggered widespread alarm and concern. The Ijaw Youth Council (IYC Worldwide) has voiced its belief that this move signals the onset of a full-blown military regime in the state. In a statement issued by Secretary-General Maobuye Mangi Obu, the IYC expressed that the inalienable rights of the populace have been severely undermined. The announcement, made late on the night of Wednesday, March 26, 2025, by Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, who serves as the Rivers State Administrator, included the suspension of various statutory commissions…

The President of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), Prof. Benjamin Ogele Okaba, has issued a fervent call for unity amongst the Ijaw people, urging them to stand together in the face of the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State. In a stirring speech delivered at an emergency meeting of Ijaw stakeholders on Wednesday, 26th March 2025, Okaba condemned the recent imposition of emergency rule and suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as a grave assault on democracy and the rights of the Ijaw people. Okaba’s address, titled, “A Call for Unity and Strategic Action,” focused on the need for a unified…