News
Reps Member Pledges Support, Loyalty To Fubara, Joins SIMplified Movement
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has accepted the pledge of loyalty from the member representing Ikwerre/Emohua Federal Constituency at the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Boniface Emerengwa.
Fubara said that his government would never be distracted from delivering on its promises to Rivers people.
The Governor made the commitment when he received the ranking member of the House of Representatives, who visited the governor at the Government House, Port Harcourt on Monday evening, to show solidarity and support to him.
Hon. Emerengwa hails from Ikwerre Local Government Area, the headquarters of all the four Ikwerre-speaking LGAs, which also includes Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Obio/Akpor, and Emohua.
The federal lawmaker explained that he was throwing his total support and loyalty to Fubara’s administration because it was undisputable that the governor is both the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the State.
Elected House of Representatives member in 2015, Emerengwa said he had come to the realisation that it was unnecessary and futile to continue to struggle and fight over who controls the party and leads the State when the party and the nation’s Constitutions were clear on the issue.
He pledged to mobilise thousands of his supporters in his constituency and lead them to join the governor in his efforts of take the State to heights of sustained peace and development.
The former chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council said that Rivers people had made their choice through their votes and gave their mandate to Governor Fubara.
He said, having secured electorial victory on March 18, 2023, which had been affirmed by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Fubara has become the Number One Citizen of the State as prescribed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He noted that only the blind will not see the giant strides Governor Fubara was already making in various sectors of the State, adding that the best way to assist the State grow as Rivers people was to support the Governor in every way possible to achieve sustainable peace and accelerate inclusive development of the State.
Hon Emerengwa was accompanied to the Government House by three other House of Representatives members, Hon Awaji-Inombek Abiante of Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Federal Constituency; Hon Boma Goodhead of Akuku-Toru/Asari-Toru Federal Constituency; and Hon Anderson Allison Igbiks of Okrika-Ogu/Bolo Federal Constituency, who are Fubara’s strong supporters.
This new pledge of allegiance is coming in the wake of a flurry of resignations of elected politicians across the local government areas, who have vowed to support Governor Fubara to succeed.
Notable among them is the Leader of Obio/Akpor Legislative Council and Councillor representing Ward 9, Rt. Hon. Achor Prince Nna, who resigned on March 7.
Obio/Akpor Ward 9 covers Rumuepirikom and Elioparanwo communities, two critical power blocks in Obio/Akpor and the State.
According to Nna, “This resignation is hitherto borne out of my personal conviction to align with the truth in the face of the current political issues in Rivers State… My Chairman, I want to align with the progressive minds to liberate and develop Rivers State in tune with the SIMplified Movement.”
On March 18, Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council and member representing Obio/Akpor Ward 17, Hon Newman Ogbonda, also resigned to join the Simplified Movement.
Obio/Akpor Ward 17 includes Rumuolumeni, Mgbuosimini, Nkpor, Mgbuodohia, Azumini, Minikpiti and Mgbuakara communities.
In his letter, Ogbonda said, “I officially write to resign my position as the Supervisor for Youths and Sports in Obio/Akpor Local Government Council to clear my good conscience and to align myself with the Administration of the Governor, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, GSSRS, the Executive Governor of Rivers State and his vision to better the State.”
Ogbonda’s action followed the resignation on March 17 of the President General of Akpor Consultative Assembly, Chief (Barrister) Hanny Woko, a powerful politician from the area, to pitch tent with Governor Fubara’s Government and the SIMplified Movement.
Also on March 20, the Supervisory Councillor for Health and Social Welfare in Asari-Toru Local Government Council, Dr Ipalibo Jenberetoa George, resigned his position to join the Simplified Movement.
According to him, “I have taken this decision in view of my firm belief that throwing full weight behind the Administration of the genial, humane and prople-oriented Administration of the Executive Governor, Amaopusenibo Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, is the absolute best way to go at this point in the development of Rivers State and in the light of the challenges she currebtly faces.”
It would be recalled that Hon Emerengwa is an accomplished lawyer and politician, who was a former Ikwerre Local Government Chairman between January 1, 1999 and January 1, 2002, and former Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning between January 1, 2007 and December 31, 2007.
He had served as Ward Councilor between January 1, 1987 and January 1, 1990; and Council Secretary between January 1, 1990 and January 1, 1999.
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi