NEWS
Elders Forum Cautions Tinubu, Fubara against Jeopardising Rivers’ Interest

From Alice Onukwugha, Port Harcourt
Leaders of thought under the aegis of Rivers Elders Forum (REF), have formally written to President Bola Tinubu and Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminilayi Fubara on the issue of the peace pact.
The elders called on the duo not to take actions that jeopardise the interest of Rivers people
They made this known during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital on Wednesday.
Speaking on behalf of the Elders, former Governor of Rivers State and Leader of the Forum, Chief Rufus Ada George, said the decision was an outcome of a review of the governor’s Christmas Day Broadcast, where Fubara promised to implement the eight-point peace terms of the President between FCT Minister, Chief Nyesom Wike and himself.
The former governor, who insisted that their intention was to ensure peace and stability in the state, queried if the president has the powers to overrule the decision of a court of competent jurisdiction through such intervention.
He further reasoned that the peace pact has not restored peace in the state.
The letter read in part: “We will like to commend Your Excellency, for heeding to our call; to help mediate in the political rift between Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, the Honorable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the Executive Governor of Rivers State.
However, as a people, we are now at a loss as to whether your intervention has helped in quelling the crisis or escalated it.
“For us, as custodians of the Rivers peoples conscience and morality, we find the directive resolution document lopsided and skewed in favour of the interest of your current Minister, Chief Barrister Nyesom Wike, to the detriment of the Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, the governance of the state and the interest of the generality of the good people of Rivers State.”
The Elders observed that Rivers stakeholders and interest groups were not represented at the peace talks.
“The composition and attendance showed a lack of balance between the two warring factions. The faction recognized by a court of competent jurisdiction, the Elders of Rivers State, traditional rulers, women and youth leadership, were not represented at the meeting.
“Furthermore, does the President have the powers to overrule the ruling of a court of competent jurisdiction when he is a product of the court himself?
“Central to this, Mr. President, is the sacred doctrine and practice of the separation of powers. May we inform Mr. President that the seats of the cross carpeting members have been declared vacant by the Speaker, known to law, Rt Hon Ehie Edison through an ex parte order issued by the Federal High Court Port Harcourt division.
“We cannot but imagine how providing accommodation and meeting venue for legislative business becomes the duty of members of the House of Assembly who you directed to seat wherever they choose and not by the Executive Arm as in the case of the National Assembly Complex were Legislative Quarters are provided and maintained by the Executive Arm.
“Given the foregoing, it is obviously evident that Governor Siminialayi Fubara, the Chief Executive Officer of Rivers State, was coerced into submitting to your premeditated action plan even when it is well known that Mr. President does not possess such powers to give directives to a democratically elected Governor or impose his will on the State Government and the good people of Rivers State.
“As far as we are concerned, that meeting did not happen and those directives are not implementable because to do so will be acting against the constitution and the rule of law,” he said.
He further queried the peace preached, positing that it is a death sentence. He said: “We accept your humility as shown in your Christmas Day Broadcast of 25th December, 2023, to the good people of Rivers State. However, we THE PEOPLE OF RIVERS STATE do not see any peace in the so called “Mr. President’s Peace Proclamation”.
“Peace can only be practised in a germane, truthful and just society. In this case, the environment in which the peace was brokered showed no sensitivity to the people’s security, political and social interest.
“Mr. Governor Sir, you stated categorically that you are a principal participant in the entire saga and the Presidential Peace Proclamation is not as bad as being portrayed by those genuinely opposed to it. That proclamation is actually a death sentence as it breaches all legal and constitutional rights you swore to uphold. Mr. Governor, you also stated in your broadcast that the document offers a way and means of peace: peace at what cost?
NEWS
Tinubu Honors Buhari, Renames University of Maiduguri after Late President

By David Torough, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has approved the renaming of the University of Maiduguri, Borno State as Muhammadu Buhari University.
“May we now adopt the University of Maduguri as the Muhammadu Buhari University,” Tinubu said at the close of a special session of the Federal Executive Council held to honour Buhari at the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja on Thursday.
The President paid a glowing tribute to Buhari, describing him as “a good man, a decent man, an honourable man” whose legacy of discipline, patriotism and moral uprightness would endure for generations.
Tinubu said although the late president was not without flaws, his unwavering commitment to national service set him apart.
“President Buhari was not a perfect man, no leader is, but he was, in every sense of the word, a good man, a decent man, an honourable man.
“His record will be debated, as all legacies are, but the character he brought to public life, the moral force he carried, the incorruptible standard he represented, will not be forgotten.
“His was a life lived in full service to Nigeria, and in fidelity to God,” he said.
Reflecting on Buhari’s time in office and his long military and civil service, Tinubu praised the late leader’s simplicity, humility, and stoic resistance to the trappings of power.
He said, “He stood, always, ramrod straight; unmoved by the temptation of power, unseduced by applause and unafraid of the loneliness that often visits those who do what is right, rather than what is popular.
“His was a quiet courage, a righteousness that never announced itself. His patriotism lived more in action than in words.”
Tinubu also recounted their political alliance, which culminated in the historic 2015 elections that marked Nigeria’s first democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“We stood together, he and I. Alongside others drawn from across the political spectrum, regions and tongues, we formed an alliance that enabled Nigeria to experience its first true democratic transfer of power from one ruling party to another.
“When he was sworn in as our party’s first elected President, he led with restraint, governed with dignity, and bore the burdens of leadership without complaint,” he said.
The President expressed admiration for Buhari’s post-office modesty, noting that he returned to his hometown, Daura, without seeking to wield influence behind the scenes.
“When his tenure ended, he returned to Daura; not to command from the shadows or to hold court, but to live as he always had, never seeking to impose his will but content to let others carry the nation forward.
“Even in death, he maintained the serenity that defined him in life: not a sigh, not a groan, just a quiet submission to the will of God. Such was the man Nigeria has lost. Such was the man for whom our nation now mourns,” he added.
Tinubu thanked the Inter-Ministerial Committee and Katsina State Governor, Dikko Radda, for organising a befitting state funeral within 48 hours, describing it as a “profound honour” to lead the burial procession in Daura.
He concluded his tribute with a prayer: “Mai Gaskiya, the People’s General, the Farmer President, your duty is done. May Almighty Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him Aljannah Firdaus. May his life continue to inspire generations of Nigerians to serve with courage, conviction, and selflessness. President Buhari, thank you. Nigeria will remember you.”
Buhari died on Sunday, July 13, at the age of 82.
NEWS
C’River First Female NUJ Chairman Describes Tenure as Trial Period

The first female Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Cross River, Archibong Bassey has said that her first tenure in office was a trial period.
Bassey, who was returned unopposed in council’s election, made the assertion in an interview on Thursday in Calabar.
The Bassey- led executive was first elected on 9th May 2025, to complete the tenure of Nsa Gill, who was then appointed as Chief Press Secretary to Gov.
Bassey Otu.The chairman, who thanked the members for keeping faith in her and her team, said that she would improve on her achievements while correcting any mistakes she might have made in her first tenure.
She pleaded that any member who she must have offended in the course of her leadership should forgive her as she was not perfect and called for unity among members.
“Let’s leave any form of rancour behind, I need all your support;push me from the back, support me as you can.
‘’Tell me your ideas of moving the council forward and not what someone told you about me; I am asking God for the spirit of humility and love, to enable me lead the council well.’’
Earlier in his goodwill message, Dr Erasmus Ekpang, Cross River’s Commissioner for Information, had commended the union’s unity in electing its new executives.
According to Ekpang, they will continue as a government to give the Cross River Council of NUJ what it needs and all the necessary support to enable it carry out its functions objectively.
“I want to thank you for your unity, it’s better to come unopposed, I believe one day, the Cross River Council will emerge as the best in the nation,” he said.
Other executive members who were returned unopposed are Mr Sunday Inah of the Cross River Broadcasting Corporation (CRBC) as Vice Chairman, Michael Abang of Business Day as Secretary.
Others are Kingsley Agim of the Cross River Ministry of Information as Assistant Secretary, Mrs Achiane Adams of the Ministry of Information, Treasurer, and Benedine Tete Anam of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN), Auditor.
NEWS
Gov Makinde Confered With Prestigious Chieftaincy Title of Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land by Akure Kingdom

The Akure Kingdom will today bestow a prestigious chieftaincy title, Aare Omoluabi of Akure Land, meaning President of the Respectable People, upon His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
The conferment ceremony, which will take place in Akure, Ondo State, marks a significant recognition of Governor Makinde’s exemplary leadership, integrity, and contributions to the advancement of Yoruba culture and national development.
The title, one of the highest honors in the Akure Kingdom, celebrates individuals who embody the virtues of respect, dignity, and service to humanity.
Governor Makinde’s conferment reflects his outstanding commitment to good governance, infrastructural development, and fostering unity across Nigeria.
The ceremony will be attended by traditional rulers, dignitaries, and government officials, underscoring the significance of this historic event.
This honor further strengthens the bond between Oyo and Ondo States, fostering mutual respect and cooperation for the progress of the Yoruba nation and Nigeria at large.