Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara on Friday swore in five special advisers in Port Harcourt, signalling a fresh push to consolidate his administration’s priorities and recover lost ground. The appointments are intended to reinforce teamwork across government and ensure the machinery of the state continues to operate efficiently.
Rivers State special advisers to drive collective governance
The newly appointed advisers are Eloka Tasie-Amadi, Professor Peter Medee, Emmanuel Frank Fubara, Victor Ekaro and Darlington Orji. Governor Fubara said he chose individuals who are familiar with his administration’s philosophy and direction, noting that several have worked with him in different capacities.
Speaking at the Government House in Port Harcourt, the governor described the appointments as practical steps to keep government functions steady and responsive. He told the appointees that their roles are not ceremonial but are critical opportunities to contribute meaningfully to service delivery for the people of Rivers State.
“So what we are doing this afternoon is bringing in some persons on board to ensure that the wheels of governance continue to roll smoothly in our state,” the governor said. He urged the new advisers to remain committed to the administration’s objectives, warning against complacency and emphasising discipline, shared responsibility and collective effort.
The appointments come a day after Mr Fubara approved the new special advisers and follow a minor cabinet reshuffle earlier in the week. That reshuffle included the redeployment of the Commissioner for Sports, Barrister Christopher Green, to the Ministry of Justice where he now serves as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.
Governor Fubara said the selections were guided by experience and continuity. “I believe that these appointees are not new faces. They’ve been with us, they’ve worked with us. They understand the philosophy of this administration and it will not be a problem following and ensuring that our goals are achieved,” he said.
By bringing familiar hands into advisory roles, the governor appears to be prioritising institutional memory and cohesion. The decision to appoint two former commissioners among the five is likely intended to harness their previous ministerial experience to provide immediate value to policy formulation and implementation.
Political observers say such moves can stabilise an administration by aligning advisers and cabinet members around shared objectives, particularly during periods of transition or after strategic redeployments. For Rivers State, the appointments are presented as a step towards delivering on a “social agreement” with residents, centred on improved service delivery and purposeful leadership.
Governor Fubara closed the ceremony with a reminder of the administration’s mandate. He emphasised the work ahead and tasked the advisers to bring commitment and results. The appointments will now take effect as the team begins to support ministries and agencies across the state to implement the government’s vision.
Key Takeaways:
- Governor Siminalayi Fubara swore in five new special advisers to strengthen administration in Rivers State.
- The appointees include Eloka Tasie-Amadi, Professor Peter Medee, Emmanuel Frank Fubara, Victor Ekaro and Darlington Orji.
- Appointments aim to improve teamwork, continuity and effective service delivery ahead of ongoing cabinet redeployments.
- The move reflects a focus on collective responsibility and people-centred governance in Nigeria’s Rivers State.
