society
Rivers State: Ibas’ Record Breaking Governance Amidst Peace Restoration* By Randy Owen
Rivers State: Ibas’ Record Breaking Governance Amidst Peace Restoration
By Randy Owen
In the face of political distrust, upheaval, and societal uncertainty, there exist leaders who frise above the turbulence of their times to deliver stability, order, and progress in sand of history. For Rivers State, that leader is the person of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), whose appointment as Sole Administrator marked not just a transition in governance, but the opening of a new chapter in transitioning of a disciplined democratic statecraft.
I write to the world not as a distance observer of the happenings on Rivers State but as an individual with firsthand witness. I experienced the remarkable unfolding of events in Rivers, where a leader with a military background has applied the finesse of discipline, humanistic touch of empathy, and the clarity of purpose in governance.
The words of Professor Julius Ihonvbere, Chairman of the House of Representatives Special Adhoc Committee, struck a chord that reverberated across Rivers State when he led a delegation on an unscheduled oversight visit. He said:
“I do not envy you because I know the difficult circumstances and the environment in which you are going to work. But your track record convinced me that you would be able to weather the storm and deliver as required. In any case, military officers at your level never fail on assignments. Having worked with a retired general Obasanjo, I know that whether they are in uniform or out of it, at any time, you call on them. They are always ready to serve the country. So I congratulate you first on the appointment, but also I commend you for what you’ve done so far. Contrary to what people have been marketing, we see evidence of peace and order. We see evidence of people going about their respective businesses. It’s evidence that the reverse is moving in the right direction.”
These words are an encapsulation of both the gravity of the situation on the ground and the magnitude of satisfied expectations delivered by Vice Admiral Ibas.
Emergency rule isn’t a matter to be seen or taken lightly. It is one that signals the breakdown of normalcy, it reveals the collapse of trust in democratic structures, and represents a clarion call on the urgent necessity for salvaging the moral fabric of governance. The suspension of a duly elected governor and legislature weapons all witnessed wasn’t just a constitutional emergency; it was a moral indictment on the governance machinery in Rivers State. Ibok-Ete Ibas stepped into this void, carrying the authority of the federal government and the aspirations of millions that were yearning for stability, peace, and development.
While others might have been intimidated by the enormity of the task, looking at it as an impossibility which may blow up into an international threat, Ibas approached it with the calmness of a seasoned sailor used to navigating tempestuous waters. Understood his mission to be clear and straightforward: to restore law and order, ensure stability, and create an enabling environment for economic growth.
One observable striking hallmarks of Ibas’ administration has been his uncompromising focus on accountability and transparency. The governance under his leadership was shrouded in opaque dealings. Instead, every decision was articulated, every policy grounded in rationality, and every expenditure accounted for.
He made it evident that governance is not a private enterprise but a sacred trust held on behalf of the people. Ibas’ commitment to openness has so far rekindled a sense of public ownership of the government and restoring confidence in the institutions of state once again. He totally changed the rhetoric that governance often falters when not matched with tangible delivery. In Rivers State, Ibas administration has distinguished itself by transforming promises into projects and blueprints into realities. His Midas touch is expressively in governance through several key undertakings like:
The reconstruction of the Rivers assembly complex, which was isn’t just a structural intervention but a symbolic one, but evidence of the determination to prepare Rivers for a smooth democratic rebound. Ibas breathes life back into the very edifice that embodies legislative authority.
Moreover, the completion of the Mother and Child Hospital in Port Harcourt is a landmark achievement that says as a testimony of a state that this led by an individual who is greatly committed to healthcare delivery, particularly maternal and child welfare, which often remain underfunded in times of political crisis. Fortunately for the great people of Rivers, this long-neglected project was not only completed but poised for integration into the Rivers State Teaching Hospital.
Furthermore, the dualization of the Port Harcourt Ring road is perhaps the telling of his intervention. This ambitious project that was awarded July 2023 was aimed to construct a 50.15-kilometer dual carriageway that will seamlessly connect six local government areas: Port Harcourt, Obio-Akpor, Ikwerre, Etche, Eleme, and Ogu-Bolo. This project had been stuck in bureaucratic bottlenecks despite spending a staggering ₦150 billion of the already expended for the ₦195 billionaire budgeted fund. With help of organized meeting with between professionals and Julius Berger contractors that are handling the project, Ibas exposed the rot, took decisive measures, and ensured that work commenced soonest.
These projects are not isolated acts but emblematic of a broader philosophy: that governance must touch the lives of the people directly and meaningfully. Also the improved communication between community and security agencies has helped to curb cultism, kidnapping, and infrastructure vandalism.
There is no doubt that Emergency rule is often greeted with skepticism on how it affects the familiar rhythms of electoral governance. Yet, in all these, Ibas has proven that the suspension of democracy can ever be equated to the suspension of hope in good governance. On the contrary, his deep commitment to restoring democratic order by preparing for the 30 August 2025 local government council elections, also laying the foundation for a credible election by ensuring that the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RVSIEC) is adequately funded, empowered, and shielded from undue interference, reveals a man who is ready for a smooth transition, and has high respect for the choice of the people. The people of Rivers would acknowledge that this Intentional commitment to a timely transition is perhaps one of his most enduring legacies that will keep rest in their heart.
What I believed that Admiral Ibas efficiency in governance it not merely what has endeared us to him, but his humanistic approach to leadership. This is a man who governs not as a commander that he’s known for, but has as an opportune Citizen who listens, consults, and empathizes. His policies resonate because they are people-centered, and his actions inspire because they are purpose-driven.
Rivers people have, for the first time in a long while, felt the warmth of a government that does not merely govern them but governs with them. It would be naïve to forget the situation from which Rivers State was salvaged. Political violence, legislative paralysis, and widespread insecurity had brought the state to the brink of chaos. It is within this context that the stabilising role of Admiral Ibas becomes even more remarkable.
By deploying both his military acumen and his administrative tact, he restored a semblance of order in record time. The streets of Port Harcourt which was once brimming with tension in the media space, have regained their calm. Markets trades are thriving, schools remain open, businesses breathe easier, and there is confident in the predictability of a stable environment and a peaceful transitioning in governance.
It is not a common news for interim administrators to leave a legacy that outlives their tenure. But Admiral Ibas is on the path to becoming an exception. His combination of transparency with decisiveness, firmness with fairness, and accountability with compassion, he has etched his name into the annals of Rivers State’s history as a leader who came in a moment of crisis and left behind a template for sustainable governance.
Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas has touched Rivers State with the hands of discipline, integrity, and vision—and the result is not just the glitter of cosmetic reforms but the solid gold of institutional renewal and people-centred development. The smooth transition to democracy that he is midwifing will not erase his contributions but enshrine them in the consciousness of Rivers people as the cornerstone upon which a new democratic order was built.
Professor Ihonvbere’s confidence was not misplaced. For indeed, Admiral Ibas has proven that leaders of his calibre do not fail. He has not failed Rivers State. He has not failed Nigeria. And he has not failed history.
As a proud witness to these remarkable transformations, I dare say that Rivers State will remember this season as the dawn of a new paradigm of governance, a paradigm shaped by the steady hands, clear eyes, and golden touch of Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, and not merely as the time of emergency rule.
Owen is a public policy analyst writing from Port Harcourt.
society
THE GREAT LAND SCANDAL: Wike Under Fire for Alleged Illegal Allocation of Abuja’s Green Spaces
THE GREAT LAND SCANDAL: Wike Under Fire for Alleged Illegal Allocation of Abuja’s Green Spaces
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG
“How the Federal Capital’s Urban Integrity Faces an Existential Threat.”
In the heart of Africa’s most politically symbolic city, Abuja, a storm has erupted (not fueled by ideology or electoral dispute) but by an alleged betrayal of urban planning principles, environmental sustainability and public trust. At the centre of this convulsion stands Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), accused by a leading human rights lawyer of illegally allocating protected green areas to developers for luxury residential construction. The controversy has ignited fresh debate about governance, environmental law and the future of Nigeria’s capital city.
The flashpoint was a designated green area in Maitama Extension, one of Abuja’s most prestigious residential districts. This zone was reserved in Abuja’s Master Plan as a green buffer, designed to support stormwater runoff, preserve natural ecology and act as a safety valve against flooding in the rainy season. Yet, according to human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju, this sacred urban reserve has now been fenced off and construction of upscale duplexes is proceeding unabated on it.
Adeyanju’s allegation is not trivial rhetoric, it is a direct challenge to the sacred covenant between an administration and the public it serves. In his public statement, he described the development as an “outright distortion of the Abuja Master Plan,” warning that it “places private profit above public safety and environmental sustainability.” His imagery was striking: a natural drainage channel turned makeshift access road, a warning sign of impending environmental peril.
Urban Planning vs. Commercial Gain.
The Abuja Master Plan, established as a binding framework for land use and development, includes provisions for green areas precisely to manage stormwater, reduce urban heat islands, conserve biodiversity and serve as public recreational space. Urban planning experts stress that these zones are not just aesthetic features, but functional infrastructure critical to city resilience. When green buffers are compromised, cities face more severe flooding, infrastructure strain and public health risks.
One respected urbanist, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the political sensitivity of the matter, noted:
“Green spaces in planned cities are equivalent to lungs in a human body; deprive a city of its green lungs and you invite systemic failure alongside environmentally and socially.”
Though specific environmental impact assessments for the Maitama Extension project have not been made public, observers note that the area’s natural drainage channels historically diverted heavy rainfall runoff. Interfering with these features could worsen flooding in already vulnerable neighbourhoods.
Allegations, Public Outrage and Official Response.
Adeyanju’s critique exploded on social media and was amplified by civil society groups already sceptical of the FCT Administration’s land policies. Many fear that this is not an isolated issue but a symptom of a broader pattern of land governance that favours powerful interests at the expense of public rights.
In response, the FCT Minister’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, defended the administration’s authority over land use decisions. He stated that land designation is not static and can be altered if legally approved, including by the Minister himself. Olayinka argued that reclassifying land use (even from green zone to residential) is permissible under certain conditions and should not be immediately interpreted as illegal.
This response highlights a crucial legal question: What constitutes lawful change of land use in Abuja? The Federal Capital Territory Act and urban planning statutes require that land use alterations must comply with the Master Plan and be transparently processed through appropriate planning authorities. Without full disclosure of approvals, critics argue, any claimed authority to repurpose green areas must be vigorously scrutinised.
Civil Society and Calls for Transparency.
The controversy has drawn more than one voice. A coalition of civic and housing advocacy organisations (including the Housing Development Advocacy Network) has publicly admonished the FCT administration for what they describe as “a dangerous erosion of Abuja’s green infrastructure.” According to the network, parks, gardens and buffer zones originally reserved as the capital’s lungs are being eroded through indiscriminate allocations for commercial or residential developments.
“The loss of green spaces,” the HDAN argued, “threatens not only ecological balance but also the lived quality of citizens and investors alike.” In their view, sustainable development must balance growth with preservation and not sacrifice one at the altar of short-term gain.
Another prominent civil society campaign, carrying the hashtag #StopWikeLandGrab, has called for mass action and independent investigation into alleged cronies benefiting from controversial land deals in the FCT. While some of the more expansive claims (such as massive tracts of land being allocated to family members) have been contested and remain subject to verification, they nonetheless reflect deep public mistrust in the administration’s land management practices.
A transparency advocate from Abuja, Dr. Chibuzo Okeke, offered a stark criticism that resonates with many residents:
“When land intended for the public good becomes a vehicle for private accumulation without clear accountability, it signals a crisis of governance. Abuja belongs to the people not to a selected few.”
Environmental Risks and Urban Futures.
Environmental scientists warn that tampering with natural drainage systems, as alleged in the Maitama case where a canal is reportedly being converted into an access road, could have severe consequences. In cities with similar climates and topographies, the loss of natural channels has been linked with increased frequency and severity of flood events, soil erosion and infrastructure failures.
Professor Amina Suleiman, a climatologist at a Nigerian university, underscores the severity:
“Urban expansion must respect natural hydrology. When you disrupt waterways for development without compensatory engineering or rigorous planning, you court ecological failure.”
In a city like Abuja, which experiences intense seasonal rainfall, the stakes are high. Without green buffers and functioning natural drainage, residents could face heightened flood risk, not just in Maitama, but in neighbouring districts cascading downhill.
Governance, Law and the Public Interest.
The Wike controversy underscores a broader struggle over how public assets are managed, who gets to decide their use, and how transparent those decisions must be. Nigeria’s Constitution and related land laws mandate that public officials act in the public interest and uphold principles of accountability and fairness. When these tenets appear compromised, citizen confidence in governance erodes.
Legal experts suggest that, if substantiated, the allocation of green areas for luxury residential development without demonstrated compliance with planning and environmental safeguards could constitute a breach of administrative law. However, they also note that such matters often hinge on procedural proof, documented approvals, environmental impact assessments and transparent decision-making records.
A Moment of National Reflection.
At its core, the Maitama green area dispute is not merely a local planning controversy, but it is a national litmus test. Nigeria is grappling with rapid urbanisation, environmental vulnerabilities and governance challenges. How these are managed will determine not only the future of Abuja but also signal the country’s commitment to sustainable development and the rule of law.
For now, public outcry continues, civic organisations press for independent investigations, and residents watch with concern as this drama unfolds in the corridors of power.
Yet one truth stands: urban land is not just a commodity, it is a public trust. And any erosion of that principle risks more than controversy; it threatens the environmental sustainability and social fabric of the capital city itself.
society
There Can Be No New World Order Without Women: The Irreplaceable Role of Gender Inclusion in Global Leadership
There Can Be No New World Order Without Women: The Irreplaceable Role of Gender Inclusion in Global Leadership.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyng.com
“Why Sustainable Peace, Prosperity, and Progress Depend on Women’s Full Participation in World Affairs.”
There will be no legitimate, enduring or equitable new world order until women are fully part of it. This is not a slogan, a buzzword or a momentary slogan for social media likes; it is an empirical, historical and moral truth. For too long, discourses on global governance, peacebuilding, economic reform, climate action and technological innovation have marginalized women and relegating half of humanity to the sidelines of decision-making. The evidence is overwhelming: nations, institutions and global systems that elevate women to positions of leadership and influence outperform those that do not. To reimagine and rebuild a world order in the 21st century (one that is just, resilient and prosperous for all) women’s voices must not only be included but central.
Why Women Matter in Global Leadership. At its core, the call for women’s inclusion in world affairs rests on justice and merit. Women make up approximately 50% of the global population yet remain underrepresented in political offices, corporate boardrooms, peace negotiations and diplomatic arenas. According to the United Nations, women comprise only 26.1% of all national parliamentarians worldwide with only 22 countries having women as heads of state or government as of 2025. These figures reveal not just a gender gap but a leadership deficit that compromises the quality of global governance.
Renowned gender scholar Dr. Mona Lena Krook of Rutgers University asserts: “Inclusion is not a token gesture. It is fundamental to legitimacy, to accountability, and to a system that reflects the peoples it serves.”
This assessment underscores a simple truth: if half the world lacks equal access to power, systems claiming to serve “all humanity” are inherently flawed.
Women and Peace: A Case Study in Effectiveness. Nowhere is the case for women’s inclusion more compelling than in peace and security. The conventional approach to resolving conflict (historically dominated by male soldiers, politicians and diplomats) has often failed to produce durable peace. In contrast, research by the Council on Foreign Relations and UN Women has shown that peace processes with meaningful female participation are 35% more likely to last at least 15 years. When women are on peace negotiation teams, agreements are more likely to address community needs like justice mechanisms, education and social reintegration.
Nobel Peace Laureate Leymah Gbowee, who led women’s peace movements in Liberia that helped end civil war in 2003, famously said: “If women stop, war stops.”
Her words are not hyperbolic; they reflect the reality that women’s perspectives prioritize community well-being, reconciliation and rebuilding, dimensions too often ignored in male-centered diplomatic strategies.
Economic Growth Depends on Women’s Inclusion. A new world order worthy of the name cannot succeed without addressing economic disparities that sideline women. The McKinsey Global Institute reported that advancing gender equality could add $12 trillion to global GDP by 2025, a figure larger than the entire economy of Germany and Japan combined. This is not charity; it is smart economics.
Investments in women’s education, workforce participation and entrepreneurship yield extraordinary returns. Countries that bridge the gender employment gap experience higher productivity, innovation and economic stability. When women earn and control financial resources, they reinvest a significant portion in their families and communities, creating a multiplier effect that benefits society at large.
World Bank Senior Economist Mariana Mazzucato explains: “Equitable economies are not just morally right, they are more dynamic, more resilient and more innovative.”
The logic is undeniable. Marginalizing women in global economic systems is not merely unjust but it is self-defeating.
Women at the Forefront of Climate Action. The climate crisis demands urgent, coordinated global action. Yet many international climate negotiations and policy decisions have been dominated by male leaders with limited engagement of women’s voices. A growing body of research, including work from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), reveals that women are disproportionately affected by climate change (especially in vulnerable regions) yet they also offer innovative and sustainable solutions.
Communities led by women demonstrate higher levels of environmental protection and sustainable resource management. In rural Africa and Asia, women’s traditional ecological knowledge has preserved water systems, food supplies and land fertility, long before climate change became a global term.
As environmental justice advocate Mary Robinson has stated: “Climate justice is gender justice.”
Recognizing women as leaders in climate policy is not optional; it is essential for the survival of communities and ecosystems worldwide.
Breaking Barriers: Women in Global Governance. A true new world order must transform global governance structures and from the United Nations Security Council to international financial institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. These institutions shape global policy but historically skew male in leadership and perspective.
The UN’s own Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) highlight gender equality as a standalone goal (SDG 5) and as a cross-cutting priority across all goals. This reflects a growing recognition that gender equality is not a “women’s issue,” but a development imperative linked to poverty reduction, education, health outcomes and political stability.
Despite international commitments, progress remains uneven. Structural barriers (from discriminatory laws to cultural norms) continue to restrict women’s opportunities. Closing this gap requires proactive policies like gender quotas, equal pay legislation, reproductive rights protections and expanded access to education and healthcare.
International relations scholar Dr. Anne-Marie Slaughter has argued: “Diversity in leadership is not a luxury, it is a strategic necessity.”
Her assertion captures the stakes: when global leadership reflects diversity, societies benefit from expanded creativity, empathy and strategic vision.
Addressing Criticisms and Misconceptions. Some detractors argue that emphasizing women’s inclusion undermines meritocracy or distracts from “universal” goals. This is a false dichotomy. Inclusion and excellence are not mutually exclusive. On the contrary, a system that widens the talent pool inherently raises standards of competence and innovation.
Others claim that gender parity is a Western agenda imposed on other cultures. Yet the desire for dignity, fairness and opportunity transcends borders. Women in every region (from Asia to Africa, the Middle East to Latin America) have led movements for freedom, justice and progress. Their voices are not imported; they are organically rooted in their communities.
The Path Forward: Toward a Truly Inclusive World Order. To build a new world order that is equitable, sustainable and resilient, we must champion transformational changes:
Legal Reforms: Eliminate discriminatory laws that limit women’s political participation, property rights and economic freedom.
Education Access: Ensure girls receive quality education from primary to tertiary levels and because education is the foundation of empowerment.
Political Representation: Implement gender quotas and mentorship programs to accelerate women’s entry into parliaments, cabinets and diplomatic corps.
Economic Inclusion: Support women entrepreneurs, guarantee equal pay for equal work, and invest in childcare and family-friendly policies.
Leadership Training: Expand forums that prepare women for leadership and in technology, science, diplomacy and international organizations.
Cultural Transformation: Challenge stereotypes and norms that limit women’s roles, fostering societal attitudes that value women’s contributions equally.
Closing Perspective: A New World Order That Honors Women’s Power. The call to place women at the center of global decision-making is not merely rhetorical and it is rooted in evidence, history and justice. A world order that excludes women is inherently crippled: it lacks the full spectrum of human talent, experiences and wisdom needed to confront the defining challenges of our time.
As former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon famously declared: “There is no peace without development, no development without peace and neither can be achieved without women’s full and equal participation.”
Let these words guide us. The future we seek (peaceful, just, prosperous) demands that women are not just participants but equal architects of the world we build together.
There will never be a new world order until women are part of it. And until that vision becomes reality, the promise of our shared humanity remains unfulfilled.
Beauty is Tool for Service, Use It for God’s Purpose
-Apostle Suleman charges young ladies
Servant of God and founder of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman has charged young ladies to use their beauty to honour God, emphasizing that physical beauty is a gift from God intended to bring glory to Him, rather than to be used for vanity or self-exaltation.
Apostle Suleman, while delivering his usual weekly lecture penultimate week, posisted that physical beauty is a resource from God, which should be managed only for serving God.
“Some young ladies don’t even know that their beauty is meant to serve God, the ‘Restoration Apostle’ noted. He continued; “When you finish dressing up and do the 20-seconds video of a beautiful girl on her way to church, a beautiful girl serving God; use that beauty to serve God so that when people that are not close to you in beauty see you, they would be amazed and say see this one serving God with all her beauty.”
Advocating that women are encouraged to use their attractiveness to attract people to Christ, Suleman affirmed that true beauty is defined by serving God and representing Christ’s holiness and dignity.
Using the scripture to validate the teaching, Apostle Suleman referenced John 4 verse 16 to 18. “There was a woman who met Jesus and Jesus told her “go and call your husband” and she said “I have no husband”. Jesus said “no, you just lied, you have had five husbands and the one you’re with now is not your husband”.
For a woman to have been married five times, there was something about her that men could not resist. There was something about the woman. For a man to know that she had had four husbands in the past, in one lifetime; and the man still said “I don’t care; with what I’m seeing even if you had married ten before I will marry you.”
When Jesus encountered her, the woman left her water pot and went to the city and brought all the men and told them “come and see a man; I have met men but here is a man”. She went to the city with her weapon, the beauty, that attracted men. So, for ladies, that is your responsibility as a believer. Your beauty is service. Your intelligence is service.
“When the enemy came, he said to the Lord Jesus “bow down and worship me”. Jesus said “no” (Matthew 4 verse 10) “Thou shall worship thy God only, and He alone shalt thou serve”.
So, service is worship. What is service? Service is advancing an interest with your entirety. To advance an interest; to promote a cause and its agenda. That is service. Service is involvement in kingdom gratification. Anything done to promote the kingdom, anything done to sponsor the kingdom; anything done to see that the kingdom advances, is service.
Therefore, with everything you have you shall serve the Lord thy God. Service brings immunity. You shall serve the Lord thy God (Exodus 23-25) and He shall bless thy bread and bless thy water. Are you aware that just being in a department, you are writing applications to longevity? Just being effective in a place, you are getting immunity. It means that there are many sicknesses averted just because you sang in the choir. There are many sicknesses averted just because you joined the protocol. There are many sicknesses averted just because you became an usher.
As you serve me in the uniform, it is my duty to take away sickness from you. As you appear in the group, it is my duty to take away sickness from you. As you joined the media, it is my duty to take away sickness from you. As you joined the technical, it is my duty to take away sickness from you. As you joined evangelism, it is my duty to take away sickness from you. So, you must understand the power of service.A
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