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Fubara Explains How RSHA Stalled Budget Presentation
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that he was denied access into the premises of the Assembly Quarters to present the 2025 Appropriation Bill despite formally notifying the leadership of the House of Assembly of his readiness to do so.
Governor Fubara made the explanation during the inauguaration of the Bori Zonal Hospital in Khana Local Government Area of the State on Wednesday.
The Governor emphasised that, in complying with the Supreme Court judgment, it was pertinent for every actor to be more interested in saving the economy of the State and ensure that public sector workers are not subjected to untold hardship.
Governor Fubara stated: “For that reason, I made all frantic efforts to reach the Speaker, which I believe, he cannot deny that, and other members of the Assembly.
“I went further to send WhatsApp information to him and others, notifying them that I will be coming by 10 O’clock this morning to present the budget so that there won’t be any reason why Rivers State will be in any fix because of me, as being alleged.
“But it was unfortunate when we got there this morning, we were denied access, and the next story I am hearing is that we didn’t make any communication. But I leave it to God who sees in secret places.”
Governor Fubara emphasised that he did everything that needed to be done to ensure that the situation was properly sorted out, but believes that when the lawmakers get instruction, maybe, later, they will comply with the Supreme Court judgment.
The Governor said: “I had to bring this up because I am aware of some news going round in the media that there was no communication, and that I was not complying. They even said that I was not making any effort. So, I feel it is an opportunity here where everybody can hear from me and understand the situation that we are facing.
“Like I said, nothing lasts forever. Even the greatest power, one day, it will end. What is most important is what we do with the power, and I have chosen, even if I have the power as they claim, and that I don’t know how to use it, I do not intend to abuse my powers.
“Because power, when you abuse it, is what leads to this kind of situation. I will not abuse it. I will continue to work and operate with so much restraint because I know that there is life after power.”
Commenting on the project, Governor Fubara said it is very satisfying to see to the fulfilment of an aspect of the agenda of his administration, which is ‘Rivers First’, particularly in healthcare delivery.
Governor Fubara explained the promise made to Rivers people by his administration to improve healthcare delivery, enhance provision of quality education, robust agriculture, and the protection of lives and property, which he said, are pursued assiduously.
The Governor recalled that the project being inauguarated was initiated during the administration of Chibuike Amaechi and inherited by the immediate past administration but could not drive it to completion.
Governor Fubara said: “When we came on board, we saw there is need to ensure that all the Zonal Hospitals, not just Bori, all the Zonal Hospitals we have in Etche, Ahoada, Omoku and Degema are completed.
“The essence of these secondary facilities is to reduce the pressure in the teaching hospitals. If you go to the teaching hospitals, you will see the number of our people struggling to get quality services.
‘So, we felt if the Zonal Hospitals are properly fixed up to standard, there won’t be need of this issue of scrambling in order to get medical attention in our teaching hospitals. And for that reason, we didn’t end by just fixing it the way we met it, we believe that it will be proper this facility is expanded and everything that is needed in a standard health facility is provided. And, I can tell you, to the glory of God today, those things are all in this compound.”
Governor Fubara, who said the health of Rivers people, their wellbeing and success are paramount, directed the Commissioner for Health to ensure that the facility is open for use immediately.
Providing the project description, Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, said the Bori Zonal Hospital is not just a building but a symbol of progress, hope, and a brighter future wherein the people at the grassroots will be offered world-class medical services.
Dr Oreh stated: “This Zonal Hospital, is a 105-bed capacity secondary healthcare facility located in Bori, Khana Local Government Area. It is housed in a three storey building with support buildings, including a laundry, mortuary, staff quarters for 24 health personnel and their households, parking for 50 vehicles.
“It is specially important to note, Your Excellency, that giving your attention to the health sector, health facility attendance in Rivers South-East alone has increased by nearly 60 percent from about 589,000 patients in 2022 to nearly 1,000,000 between 2022 and 2024.
“The project objectives were first to provide referral secondary healthcare services with high quality equipment, which has been supplied by JNCI Limited for diagnosis and patients management of surgical cases, high risk pregnancies, trauma, critical healthcare conditions, newborn injuries and complications, and importantly, mental health issues to residents of Ogoniland and Rivers South-East Senatorial District.”
In her welcome address, Head of Local Government Administration of Khana Local Government Council, Mrs Helen Chiorlu, said the Bori Zonal Hospital, located in the heart of Khana Local Government Area is a magnificent edifice that stands as a testament to the commitment of Governor Fubara to uplift and transform the living standards and health status of the people.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had lauded the courage and commitment of troops of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.
Abubakar gave the commendation during a morale-boosting visit to the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri, Borno.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, in Abuja.
The CAS said their sacrifices were etched in the history of the nation, and in the hearts of millions of Nigerians who sleep safer because of the troops’ vigilance.
He emphasised that their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity have not gone unnoticed, saying his visit underscored the vital role airpower plays in neutralising threats and protecting communities.
Abubakar pledged continued investment in cutting-edge technology to empower frontline units.
According to him, the NAF remains steadfast in its mission, guided by leadership, strengthened by unity, and driven by the selfless service of its personnel.
The visit comes at a critical moment, reinforcing the importance of public support for military operations and spotlighting the human element at the heart of national defence.
Nigeria’s soft drinks and beverage market continues to show strong growth potential, making it the leading consumer of soft drinks in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association.
A statement by the VDMA disclosed during a press conference held in Lagos ahead of drinktec 2025, that Nigeria consumed over 53 billion litres of soft drinks in 2024, placing it well ahead of other African countries such as Ghana and South Africa.
Despite challenges such as inflation and a weakening naira, Nigeria’s growing population, rising urbanisation, and expanding middle class are key factors driving demand in the beverage sector.
Bottled water led the segment with 48.7 billion litres sold in 2024, a figure projected to rise by 27% to 62 billion litres by 2028.
Carbonated soft drinks followed with 3.4 billion litres, expected to reach 4.4 billion litres by 2028, while energy drinks are forecasted to grow by 30% over the same period. Juices, though relatively small, are also on an upward trajectory.
“The Nigerian beverage market is expanding quickly due to increasing accessibility and affordability,” VDMA stated, citing data from Euromonitor International.
Set to take place in Munich from 15 to 19 September 2025, drinktec is the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry.
VDMA, a key exhibitor and technical partner for the event, revealed that Nigerian participation is expected to be strong, especially as the country anticipates economic recovery.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has condemned the recent ban placed on a song by Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, describing the development as a return to the culture of censorship and a threat to the right to free expression.
Abdulkareem had waxed a song titled “Tell Your Papa” which criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi, yesterday, Soyinka criticised the action and its wider implications, saying it echoed past attempts to stifle artistic and socio-political commentary in Nigeria.
“Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem,” Soyinka said in the piece posted on PM news.
He expressed irony in suggesting that the ban did not go far enough, stating, “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer.”
Soyinka noted that he had not listened to the banned song but stressed that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.
“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.
He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist.
The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he added.
The literary icon warned that such censorship was not only counterproductive but also dangerous to democratic development.
“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” Soyinka said.
He warned that the ban creates “a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power,” where state authorities feel emboldened to clamp down on dissent.
Soyinka’s statement also touched on broader issues of impunity and mob violence in Nigeria, lamenting the recent lynching of 19 youths in Edo State.
“My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatised survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked,” he said.
Referencing the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, Soyinka criticised the culture of impunity, saying, “Identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media… in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces.”
He called for accountability, warning that “as long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail.”
Soyinka concluded by urging the relevant regulatory body to reverse what he described as a “petulant irrationality,” warning that any government that only tolerates praise-singers “has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss.”