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Monkey Pox Scare Rattles Rivers Schools …As Parents Pull Children Out Of Schools …RSG Dispels Rumours Of Virus Vaccination By Military

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The Rivers State Government has described as untrue the false alarm raised by unidentified persons that the military was forcefully vaccinating pupils with Monkey Pox virus in schools in the state.
The state Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja made the clarification after he led the management team of the Ministry of Education  to visit some schools within Ikwerre, Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City Local Government Areas, yesterday, to ascertain the veracity of the information, which caused serious panic in the state.
He described the information as a false alarm that was raised by unidentified enemies of the state, adding that nobody can even substantiate the source of the information.
“Parents were surging into the school premises to withdraw their wards due to the false information,” he regretted.
The commissioner averred that he had met with the military authorities in the state, adding that there was no such exercise being carried out by the military in the state.
“There is nothing of such that is happening. I have personally visited the Army, and they said the military has not contemplated carrying out such exercise in the state.
“There are rumours orchestrated by some people outside the state to cause crisis in the education system in our state. Parents should not allow themselves to be misinformed by the agents of rumours”, he added.
Gogo-Jaja posited that the rumour was capable of instilling fear in the minds of the children, which according to him, could cause the children to lose concentration and focus while at school.
He urged parents and people of the state to remain calm as government was on top of the situation.
The state commissioner for education, however, directed principals, headmasters and head mistresses across the state to report any individual or group of persons that may come into their schools for any immunisation exercise to security agents.
The Tide reporter, who was in the commissioner’s team, reports that at some schools visited, parents and guardians were seen scaling the school gates in order to withdraw their wards.
Our correspondent further reports that armed policemen were also stationed in some of the schools to prevent breakdown of law and order.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Prof Princewill Chike said there was no ongoing immunisation in the state or any of such programme in schools.
Chike, who visited schools in Mgbuoba, Rumuokwuta, Oyigbo, Rumuolumeni, Rumuola, among others, yesterday, amid panic and fears as a result of rumoured military immunisation in schools, dismissed the claims as false and misleading.
He said, “I want to tell the general public that those claims are rumours and are spread by mischief makers.”
The health boss explained that there was no collaboration of any medical outreach with the Nigerian Army to conduct immunisation programme, since such responsibility rests solely on the primary healthcare board.
Calling on parents and guardians to disregard the rumoured Army’s effort to immunise children in schools, Chike disclosed that currently, only six local government areas of the state have immunisation programmes ongoing in primary healthcare centres.
He listed the local governments to include Bonny, Akuku-Toru, Asari-Toru, Ahoada West, Port Harcourt City and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni.
The health commissioner maintained that the immunisation in the listed local government areas was sponsored for children by the World Health Organisation (WHO) only in primary health centres.
Earlier in a statement, the Rivers State Government said it did not authorise the Nigerian Army or indeed any other body or persons to enter into school premises to administer forced medication or vaccination on any child in any school in Rivers State.
Reacting to claims that the Nigerian Army was conducting vaccination on school children in Port Harcourt, yesterday, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah said, “Inoculation is personal and consent of the Rivers State Government and parents must first be sought and obtained before it can be administered on any school child in a school premises. Consequently, all school heads and parents should resist any such attempt.”
Okah disclosed that “The State Government has set up a task force to ensure that no school premises is violated in the state for the purpose of immunising any child.
“We appeal to members of the public to remain calm and return their kids to school as Rivers State Government will continue to ensure their peace and security.
“The State Government has ordered the arrest of anyone attempting to vaccinate any child in any school premises in Rivers State,” the commissioner added.
In a disclaimer notice signed by Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, Col Aminu Iliyasu, yesterday, the Headquarters of 6 Division, Nigerian Army dismissed the rumour as handiwork of enemies of the state.
The statement reads in full: “The attention of Headquarters 6 Division, Nigerian Army has been drawn to some rumours making the rounds that some Nigerian Army personnel are going round schools in Rivers State dressed in military camouflage uniforms with the intention of forcefully vaccinating students with an unknown substance.
“The callous and unpatriotic rumours spread by these enemies of the state are, to say the least, despicable, deplorable and highly condemnable by all well meaning Nigerians as they are intended to cause pandemonium among the general public.
“The authorities of 6 Division, Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that while the Nigerian Army plans to undertake such gestures like free medical outreaches, sanitation exercises in host communities and distribution of educational materials as part of our community relations activities during the ongoing Operation Crocodile Smile II, these activities are yet to be conducted and will eventually be conducted with the consent of relevant authorities of designated communities and at venues and dates that will be duly communicated to the general public through future press releases and relevant posters.
“For the purpose of emphasis, the Nigerian Army does not and will never carry out its medical outreaches or vaccination exercises for that matter in Schools. We can therefore categorically inform the public that the ongoing rumours about Nigerian Army personnel going round schools in military camouflage to forcefully immunize school children are not true and should therefore be discountenanced with.
“Additionally, members of the public are please requested to call 09072509436-8 to report any case of any impostor(s) that may be seen actually trying to commit such atrocities,” Iliyasu added.
Similarly, the Rivers State Director, National Orientation Agency, Mr. Oliver Wolugbom has called on teachers, parents and pupils in the state to be calm and disregard the rumours making the rounds that the Army was injecting poisonous substances into school children.
The NOA boss made the call following series of calls from local government areas seeking clarifications on the rumour.
According to the NOA boss, the agency was disturbed by rumours of children and parents running aimlessly to avoid the rumoured immunization, warning that this could endanger the lives of the children.
He enjoined teachers to educate parents and their wards on the true situation on the issue, and appealed to the head teachers and principals to take control of their schools and allow the school session to go on uninterrupted.
“The National Orientation Agency calls on all the citizens of the state to ensure that our children do not get kidnapped, missing or injured this period because of this wicked rumour,” Wolugbom cautioned.
Speaking further, Wolugbom advised that teachers, religious leaders, traditional rulers and chiefs and community development committee executives should report to the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health, if they observe anyone carrying any unauthorised immunization in the schools.
The Tide reports that there was panic and pandemonium in some parts of Rivers State, yesterday, as speculations that soldiers were entering schools with the aim of forcing school children to receive vaccination allegedly from the Nigerian Army.
Several callers to some Port Harcourt-based radio stations had triggered anxiety among parents, who trooped to various schools within the state capital to take their children away.
As of 9.45am, parents were seen at the gates of some of the private and government-owned nursery, primary and secondary schools, asking the school officials to release their children for them.
On the street, parents were seen with their children hurriedly stopping taxies and buses to convey them to their various homes.
As of the time of filing this report (12.49pm), almost all the schools in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital were without pupils and students due to the panic.
Parents whose children attend schools around Nkpolu, Rumuagholu, Rumueme, Nkpor, Rumuolumeni, Rumuosi, Rumuola, Rumuekini and Rumuokoro, Rumuomasi, Rumuokwurushi, Elelenwo, Woji, Elekahia, Ogbunabali, D/Line, Diobu, AND Port Harcourt Township in Obio/Akpor and Port Harcourt City local government areas were seen rushing to schools following rumours that soldiers were coming to schools to vaccinate pupils against monkey pox.
A student of Community Secondary Schools, Rumuekini, (surname withheld) told The Tide that the students only saw a team of young people dressed in National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) uniform who entered their school for the exercise.
The student noted that students fled the classrooms when the team mentioned that they were on immunization, because they believed that the team was sent by the military to inject monkey pox into their body.
In Etche, Khana, Eleme, Gokana, and across some other local government areas, schools hastily closed academic activities following rumour of forceful vaccination of children by suspected military personnel.
Some proprietors of the schools who spoke under condition of anonymity with The Tide, however, claimed ignorance of the source of the rumour, adding that they decided to close for the day in order to safeguard the lives of their pupils and students.

John Bibor, Kevin Nengia, Mirian Obusele, Peter Edwin & Janefrancess Chibundu

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We Support Rivers Workers To Feel Valued, Productive, Says Fubara …Inaugurates Bayelsa Labour House 

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that in the heat of political crisis staged against his administration in 2023, he committed to improving the welfare of Rivers workers in order to have a well-motivated workforce to achieve the goals of the Rivers First mantra.
The Governor stated that the resultant industrial harmony has now become unprecedented as workers feel more valued, supported, and resolved to be more productive on an increased efficiency and profitability scale.
Governor Fubara gave the explanation while inaugurating the one-storey twin-building Labour House constructed by the administration of Governor Douye Diri, in Yanagoa City, the Bayelsa State capital, yesterday.
The Governor recalled that while en-route Abuja for a reconciliatory political meeting to find solutions to the 2023 political crisis, his mind kept drifting to what could be done to give hope and cushion the hardship faced by Rivers workers.
Governor Fubara said he made the decision, therefore, to pay Christmas bonus of N100,000 to every worker, across grade levels in December, 2023, and extended the gesture to retirees in 2024.
The Governor stated: “On the 18th of December, the year of Our Lord 2023, I was on my way to Abuja for a reconciliatory meeting, and I was thinking: what will I do for my people – my primary constituency, who are the civil servants?
“We all know that the salary is not enough during the Christmas period. I knew we had a lot of challenges at that time, and it would be difficult for me to do the 13th month.
“But, however, even if I had to do the 13th month, it would also be a cheating to the lower level workers because some of them would have less than N100,000. So, I decided that I was going to do a bonus of N100,000 to all workers. That was my meeting with the Accountant-General while I was on my way to Abuja.”
Governor Fubara said: “After the meeting, I was weakened in my spirit. But on my way back, I said no matter the sadness, I still need to make my people happy.
“And even in the face of that most difficult time of our administration, we made all the civil servants very happy by giving everybody N100, 000 for Christmas that year.”
Governor Fubara pointed to the letter of appreciation written to him by the leaderships of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) due principally to the fact that the gesture was extended to all pensioners in 2024, while also seeking to give him an award of recognition.
The Governor stated that what had been done has contributed to the industrial harmony enjoyed in Rivers State, as according to him, every labour issue has also ended on the dialogue table.
Governor Fubara said: “It is not because we are meeting all their needs, but because we are putting human face to governance. We are not running it like Nebuchadnezzar’s time.
“We are not running it like the Babylonians. We are running it with the Jesus style where love takes the lead over everything. Where love is what should be in front and behind.”
Governor Fubara noted that what the Bayelsa State Government has done shows there is good relationship existing between labour and the administration of Senator Diri.
The Rivers State Governor advised the organised labour in Bayelsa State to consider the gesture, not as a right but a privilege so that they can embrace it wholeheartedly, defend, cherish, and protect it, and ensure that nobody comes between them and the government to cause friction.
Governor Fubara also expressed sadness over the demise of Chief Edwin Clark, a leader, he noted, will be remembered for his positive impact on many aspects of national and régional issues.
He said, “We are here, we just observed a minute silence for the death of our hero, Pa Edwin Clark. What is he remembered for? For his courage, truthfulness, doggedness, and the survival of this region.”
Governor Fubara told Senator Diri: “I want you to continue to stand for same thing, and I can see that you are standing for what is right. That is what history will remember you for.
“History will not remember anyone for any destructive thing, don’t deceive yourself. Money and material things cannot be taken for a good name. So, please continue to do what is right. History and the good people of Bayelsa will forever remember you.”
Governor Fubara assured that his administration will promote a robust relationship between Rivers and Bayelsa, unlike what it was 15 years ago, which is why all legal battles hitherto instituted in court have been withdrawn and would be settled out of court.
He added, “That is the first thing to show our commitment that we are in a mutual relationship and ready to make progress. You said it here, Rivers cannot develop without Bayelsa. Bayelsa also cannot make progress without Rivers. That is the truth.”
In his speech, Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, said the project was started by the administration of his predecessor, Senator Seriake Dickson, but quickly added that he has completed it to provide the organised labour in the State a place to conduct their activities, while using it as a platform to voice their concerns, access support services, and engage in constructive dialogue with his administration.
Senator Diri, who commended Governor Fubara for his exemplary labour-friendly policies that have promoted workers’ welfare and industrial harmony, said his administration has so far paid N20billion to servicing pensions and gratuities, hoping to upset all outstanding indebtedness by the end of his second tenure.
In his remarks, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Labour, Employment and Productivity, Mr Odoko Saturday Omiloli, said the magnificent Labour House is a testament of the commitment of the Prosperity Administration of Sen. Diri to promote the welfare and well-being of workers in the state.
In their joint address, both Trade Union Congress (TUC) and Nigeria Labour Congress leaders thanked Governor Diri for building a befitting edifice for them, and pledged to sustain support to his administration.

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Tinubu, Buhari, Others Mourn As Edwin Clark Dies At 97

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President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the passing of former Federal Commissioner for Information and respected leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark.

Tinubu’s condolence message was contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, yesterday.

Tinubu said, “He led an illustrious life marked by dedicated service, at different times, to the nation and his community as a councillor, state and federal cabinet member.

“He was also a passionate advocate for resource control, economic and environmental justice in the Niger Delta.”

The statement reads: “On behalf of the federal government, the President extends his condolences to the Edwin Clark family, the Ijaw nation, the people of the Niger Delta, and the government of Delta State. President Tinubu mourns Chief Clark and describes his passing as a deeply sobering loss.

“Reflecting on the life of the late statesman, the President says Chief Clark was a towering figure whose influence was felt across Nigeria’s political firmament for nearly six decades. The President states that Chief Clark was a courageous leader who stood for what he believed in and was never afraid to stand alone in the face of injustice.

“Chief Clark spoke for the Niger Delta. He spoke for the nation. His views and interventions on national issues were distinct and patriotic. Pa Clark, a lawyer and educationist, believed in a united Nigeria, and until his last breath, he never stopped reaching out to people from different parts of the country to work together to preserve national unity based on justice and equity.

“As an astute politician, his political opponents never doubted the weight of his words, his confidence, and his conviction when he spoke. Indeed, a patriot has transitioned to the great beyond. History will remember him as a man who fought gallantly for the rights of the people of the Niger Delta, unity in diversity, and true federalism. I know many generations will remain proud of how his efforts contributed to national prosperity and stability.”

Tinubu prayed for divine comfort for Chief Clark’s family, friends, and all those affected by this significant loss.

Clark died on Monday at the age of 97.

His demise was announced by a representative of the family, Prof. C. C. Clark, in a statement Tuesday.

The statement read, “The Clark-Fuludu Bekederemo family of Kiagbodo Town, Delta State, wishes to announce the passing of Chief (Dr.) Sen. Edwin Kiagbodo Clark OFR, CON on Monday, 17th February 2025.

“The family appreciates your prayers at this time. Other details will be announced later by the family.”

Clark’s death is coming on the heels of the passing of Afenifere leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, who died at the age of 96 just a few days ago.

Both Clark and Adebanjo are known for contributing to the political development of the country.

Meanwhile, former President Muhammadu Buhari has also mourned Clark, describing him as an iconic statesman.

Buhari, in a condolence statement yesterday, said he death of Clark had caused deep sorrow in his heart and that of many in the country.

The statement read in part: “Late Chief Edwin Clark was a leader dedicated to reforms whose commitment to the development of his community and the nation would always be remembered. His death caused deep sorrow in his heart, and that of many, and his departure was a loss for the nation.

He is an iconic statesman”.

The former president maintained that the late Ijaw leader had left an indelible imprint on the nation and that in his passing, Nigeria had lost an iconic statesman and a distinguished leader.

He added that his commitment to the country’s unity would be respected by generations to come.

Buhari further urged the Clark family and fellow citizens in the Delta region of the country to uphold his numerous achievements.

Also, former Senate President, Bukola Saraki, has described the late PANDEF leader as a man of great conviction.

In a brief message posted via his verified X handle, yesterday, Saraki praised the elder statesman’s unwavering conviction, stating that Clark stood firm in his beliefs until the very end.

“Chief Edwin Kiagbodo Clark was a man of great conviction who stood firm for what he believed in—right to the very end,” Saraki wrote.

He added that Clark’s passionate advocacy for justice and equity would be deeply missed by Nigeria, the Ijaw nation, and the Niger Delta, for whom he was a tireless advocate.

“His death marks the end of an era—an era of principled leadership. He was one of the movers and shakers of the Second Republic Senate, in which my father served as the Leader of the Senate.

“On behalf of my family, I extend our heartfelt condolences to the Clark family, the entire Ijaw community, the people of the Niger Delta, and all Nigerians who mourn the loss of this extraordinary leader,” the former Senate President stated.

A towering figure in Nigerian politics and a relentless advocate for the rights of the Niger Delta, Clark was a lawyer, administrator, nationalist, and freedom fighter.

He served as Commissioner for Education in the Mid-Western Region from 1968 to 1971, and later as Commissioner for Finance and Establishment in the defunct Bendel State between 1972 and 1975.

At the federal level, he was appointed Commissioner for Information in 1975 and subsequently became a Senator from 1979 to 1983.

Beyond his political career, Clark was a leading voice for regional and national unity. He was also known for mediating peace among warring communities and politicians in the Niger Delta region.

 

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We’re Genuinely Opening Up Kalabari Land For Development, Says Fubara

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Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that his administration is courageously executing strategic projects that are opening up Kalabari land for unprecedented development and economic growth.

 

Governor Fubara made the explanation when he received on solidarity visit, a delegation of monarchs, political leaders, elders, women and youths of Kalabari Ethnic Nationality, led by the Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bobmanuel, at Banquet Hall of Government House in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.

 

The Governor stated that while previous administrations avoided executing the original plan for the Trans-Kalabari Road project due to cost implications, he has ventured into it, and driving the process steadily in order to link Kalabari land to the State capital.

 

Governor said: “Somebody said, if I don’t do it for my people, who will do it for them. We ventured into the Trans-Kalabari Road, we didn’t close our eyes. Our eyes were open because we knew what we were entering into.

 

“It is not a joke; it is a big project. We believe that at the end of that project, the level of development that it will attract to that line of entry into Kalabari will be very unprecedented.

 

“Issues of insecurity from our waterways will be reduced because, at that point we are doing road, people won’t be using the river anymore. The cost of living will also be cheaper.”

 

Governor Fubara further asserted: “So, you understand that your interest, your safety, your development is key to us. It is not about the number of years that we are going to be here; what is important to this government is the impact we make while we are here.”

 

Responding to their unanimous endorsement to see him run for a second term in office, Governor Fubara said power belongs to God, and He gives it to whoever finds favour in His sight.

 

Governor Fubara, however, stated that if God so approved of it, even those who are regrouping against him will not see the path God will lead him because they cannot scuttle such plan.

 

He added, “Power belongs to God. So, you see, I like believing that we don’t have any problem. When we get to the bridge, we will cross it. If we can break the bridge, Moses will come and create a road for us. So, you don’t need to worry.

 

“We will cross the bridge. We will cross it in a way that our enemies will be struggling; they won’t see where we are passing. So, don’t worry.”

 

Governor Fubara acknowledged the immense support to him by Rivers Ijaw, and urged particularly the Kalabari people to stand with honour in their unalloyed support for his administration, which will neither abandon them nor fail to deliver quality projects to the people.

 

Governor Fubara also responded to their requests and informed them that his administration has completed the Emohua/Tema Junction Road project, and ready to inaugurate the Degema Zonal Hospital in May.

 

He said the Health Commissioner has been directed to assess the state of the Abonnema General Hospital for immediate rehabilitation, while promising to address the issues of shore protection in the area.

 

Governor Fubara assured that with the Abonnema sandfilling works completed, the phase two will commence that will include Buguma, explaining that the Commissioner for Works has been tasked to do the assessment immediately.

 

On the request for the establishment of tertiary institution in the area, Governor Fubara said his administration is already inaudated with memos asking that the off-campus of Rivers State University established previously be revised because it has become difficult to sustain them, but quickly added that the government will consider the establishment of a viable institution that will provide technical and entrepreneurial skills to the people in a sustained manner.

 

Reading the address of Kalabari Ethnic Nationality, Chief Pawariso Samuel Horsfall, announced that the entire Kalabari people have unanimously endorsed Governor Fubara for a second term, and vowed to mobilise Rivers people to ensure electoral victory for him in the 2027 gubernatorial election.

 

In his speech, the leader of the delegation and Amanyanabo of Abonnema, King Disreal Gbobo Bobmanuel, expressed the profound thanks of the Kalabari people to Governor Fubara for his genuine love for them, as evidenced in the types and quality of development projects delivered or being executed in the area.

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