News
Humbled: Fubara Buckles In Renewed Row With Lawmakers
Barely two months after the suspension of emergency rule in Rivers State and the reinstatement of democratic structures, tensions have resurfaced between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly led by Speaker Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule.
During its 31st Legislative Sitting, the House condemned the vandalisation of property at the Township School in Port Harcourt and other schools across the state. Lawmakers lamented the decayed infrastructure in public primary and secondary schools and accused the executive arm of doing little to address the situation.
Acting on the report of the House Committee on Education, lawmakers questioned what Governor Fubara had done with the more than N600 billion reportedly left in the state’s coffers by the immediate past Sole Administrator, Rear Admiral Ibok Ete-Ibas (rtd), when he exited office in September.
Recall that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had in February 2025 suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy Prof. Ngozi Odu, and the State House of Assembly for six months over a prolonged political crisis that was said to have crippled governance. When democratic structures returned on September 18, 2025, it was claimed that the governor, his predecessor and political benefactor Nyesom Wike, and the Assembly had resolved to work together for the stability of the state.
The latest exchanges now suggest that the fragile peace may be cracking.
Speaking during plenary, Speaker Martins Amaewhule accused the Rivers State Government of failing to address the deplorable condition of schools, alleging that available funds were instead spent on sponsoring protests.
“Public schools in Rivers State, particularly at the primary and secondary school levels, are in deplorable conditions; it is a fact,” Amaewhule said. “The reason is abandonment by people who were supposed to do the needful. As of yesterday, the House Committee Chairman on Education discovered a school where one teacher is teaching two classes. There is no toilet, no electricity, yet that school shares a fence with the PHED headquarters.
“That school is directly opposite the police headquarters, yet vandals have taken over and destroyed what little facilities they had. The worst is that despite the concerns we raised when this motion first came up, nothing has happened. The Rivers State Executive Council has done nothing to remedy the situation. It is a sad commentary.”
The Speaker said the state could not continue to operate schools without teachers and recalled that the last administration had initiated a process to employ 10,000 workers before leaving office. “What happened to that plan?” he asked.
“But when it is time for protest, funds will come. When it is time to employ teachers and put them in the classrooms, there will be no money. We cannot fold our arms while our children continue to suffer and our teachers continue to cry,” he added.
Amaewhule questioned why a state with significant financial resources had not moved to address the basic needs of its schools.
“Is it that we don’t have funds? Of course we have. As at the time Administrator Ibas was leaving, he left over N600 billion in the account of Rivers State. Can’t such funds be used to remedy the situation in our schools?” he asked.
He said it was unacceptable for schools near the Government House to be so short-staffed that “pedestrians are called in to help teach pupils.”
“We are the only people mandated by law to fight for our people. This should not happen in Rivers State,” he added.
Responding to the accusations, Governor Fubara said his administration would only employ workers based on the genuine needs of the state, not for political satisfaction.
Speaking at the 123rd/124th Combined Quarterly General Meeting of the Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers on Monday, the governor said the rot in the education sector did not begin under his administration and that steps were being taken to address the challenges.
“Our vision is clear,” he said. “First, it is to ensure that Rivers State is safe. It includes providing quality healthcare services, which we are already delivering. The records are there.”
He listed ongoing work at zonal hospitals in Bori, Ahoada, Omoku and Degema, adding that his administration was focused on completing critical projects.
On education, Governor Fubara said the issues predated his tenure. “You are aware of the poor state of our schools. They never got to that state in one month or one year; it has been an issue,” he said.
He added that political distractions had slowed progress. “Before the unfortunate incident that led to the emergency, was there any month we had one week of rest? But even in the face of crisis, we remained focused.”
Addressing complaints over the halted employment of 10,000 workers, Fubara said his administration would not bow to pressure.
“I will employ, but it must be based on the needs of the state. I won’t engage in political employment to please everybody,” he said.
Meanwhile, the governor appear to be unable to walk his talk against the accusation of the lawmakers as an announcement credited to his office has approved teachers appointment he earlier suspended.
In fulfillment of his promise to bridge the manpower gap in public schools across Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, has approved the appointment of new teachers across the state, a statement signed by Hon. Sam Ogeh
Chairman, Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board read.
“As part of this initiative, His Excellency has directed the revalidation of the 1000 teachers recruited in 2023.
“”To this end, all the affected teachers are required to report to the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) for the revalidation exercise.
“Date:Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Time:* 10:00 a.m”.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has warned Nigerians to be wary of fraudsters impersonating its officials to defraud unsuspecting members of the public through fake auction offers for forfeited vehicles.
In a statement issued on Friday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said the scammers have been using the names of senior NDLEA officials, particularly the Secretary to the Agency, Barrister Shadrach Haruna, to circulate fraudulent letters and messages offering cheap forfeited vehicles for sale.
Babafemi described the offers as a deliberate scam aimed at swindling people of their money.
“The public is hereby notified that these offers are a complete scam. The Agency wishes to categorically state that these fraudulent offers are a malicious gimmick designed solely to defraud targeted individuals of their hard-earned money,” he said.
The agency stressed that no NDLEA official is authorised to privately allocate, sell or offer forfeited vehicles or any other seized assets to individuals.
According to the statement, all forfeited vehicles and assets are disposed of only through public auction processes conducted by government-approved auctioneers in line with legal and public procurement guidelines.
Babafemi added that legitimate auction exercises are always widely advertised in national newspapers and through the agency’s official communication channels.
He urged members of the public to disregard and report any letters, text messages or social media posts claiming to offer forfeited vehicles through Barrister Haruna or any other NDLEA official.
“The NDLEA remains committed to maintaining transparency and integrity in all its operations. Do not fall victim to these criminal elements. If you are approached with such fraudulent offers, please report immediately to the nearest NDLEA command or through our official communication channels,” the statement added.
The organisers of this year’s Nigeria International Gospel Music Awards ( NIGMA) have announced that the upcoming edition will celebrate the very best of the gospel music industry in an atmosphere of excellence, creativity, and inspiration.
The event is scheduled to take place on Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the prestigious Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos.
Speaking at a media briefing in Lagos, Kingsley Omoefe, Founder and Team Lead of NIGMA and Chief Responsibility Officer of Golden Heritage Limited, said the August event is designed to bring together gospel music ministers, industry stakeholders, fans, and supporters for a memorable celebration of talent, faith, and excellence.
He stated that attendees should expect an unforgettable experience featuring outstanding performances from leading gospel artists, alongside special recognitions for individuals and organisations that have made significant contributions to the industry.
The organisers also revealed that the event will feature meaningful conversations designed to inspire participants, promote collaboration, and foster the continued growth of gospel music.
The organisers said the August gathering would create memorable moments that would leave guests inspired, enriched, and motivated long after the curtains close.
They further called on corporate organisations, media outfits, and well-meaning individuals to take advantage of the opportunities available to support the event through sponsorships and strategic partnerships.
The organisers encouraged interested organisations and individuals seeking sponsorship, partnership, media accreditation, or participation to contact the event management for further information and registration ahead of the highly anticipated August programme.
International News
Nottingham Forest Sacks 5th Manager In 10 Months, To Wrap Up Oliver Glasner’s Deal
Oliver Glasner is in advanced talks to replace Vitor Pereira as Nottingham Forest head coach, a move which would see the Austrian become the club’s fifth manager in less than a year.
Pereira announced his departure from the club in a statement on Wednesday, saying that it came as a “complete surprise to me and without any warning”.
Glasner is a free agent after leaving Crystal Palace — where he won the FA Cup in 2024-25 and then the Community Shield and Conference League the following campaign — and is set to stay in the Premier League.
The 51-year-old confirmed in January that he would leave Palace at the end of the season after two years in charge.
On Thursday, Forest confirmed Pereira’s coaching staff Filipe Almeida, Luis Miguel, Bruno Moura, Marco Knoop and Pedro Lopes had all left the club alongside the head coach.
Pereira, 57, was appointed Forest head coach in February on an 18-month contract which runs until 2027.
The Athletic reported in May Forest had been planning to show their faith in Pereira by handing the head coach a new long-term contract, but those talks were subsequently put on hold.
“Today marks the end of my journey as head coach of Nottingham Forest,” he said in his statement.
“I want to say a sincere thank you to everyone connected with this incredible football club. Although this decision came as a complete surprise to me and without any warning, I fully respect the club’s right to make the decisions it believes are best for its future.
“Naturally, I am disappointed and saddened. I truly believed in what we were building together, and I leave with a sense of pride in everything we achieved over the past months.
“Together, we enjoyed a memorable end to the season. We secured the club’s Premier League status, reached the semi-finals of the Europa League, and created moments that will stay with me forever. Most importantly, I saw a group of players grow in confidence, belief and togetherness.
“I leave Nottingham Forest with no bitterness or resentment—only respect, gratitude and wonderful memories. Football is full of unexpected moments, and while this chapter has ended sooner than I expected, I will always look back on my time here with pride and affection.”
The Portuguese succeeded Sean Dyche and was Forest’s fourth permanent boss of the season following the departures of Nuno Espirito Santo and Ange Postecoglou.
Nuno had led Forest to Europa League qualification the previous season but he departed in September, less than three months after signing a new deal. Postecoglou was appointed his replacement but was dismissed just 39 days later. Dyche took charge of the team in October before his dismissal in February.
Forest were three points above the relegation zone when Pereira was appointed and he subsequently steered his side to Premier League safety with two games of the campaign remaining.
His appointment marked his second managerial spell in the Premier League after guiding Wolverhampton Wanderers to safety during the 2024-25 campaign.
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