Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed the safety and investment potential of the state, dismissing negative narratives on social media over alleged security concerns.
The Governor made the declaration on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at the grand finale of the 2026 Port Harcourt International Polo Tournament, describing the successful, incident-free hosting of the week-long event as clear evidence of the prevailing peace and security in the state.
According to him, the absence of any security breach throughout the tournament underscores his administration’s unwavering commitment to protecting lives and property across Rivers State.
Governor Fubara explained that his presence at the event was informed by a personal obligation to honour the memory of his late brother, Architect Roland Cookey-Gam, whose wife and son were in attendance, as well as an encouragement from the leadership of the Port Harcourt Polo Club.
While alluding to the prevailing political atmosphere in the state, the Governor acknowledged recent distractions but stressed that such developments would not deter his administration from delivering on its mandate.
“Notwithstanding these distractions, we must move on. We must continue to carry out our responsibilities as a government and support everyone who genuinely means well for Rivers State,” he said.
The Governor assured stakeholders of the state government’s continued support for the Port Harcourt Polo Club, with a view to positioning it more prominently on the global sporting and tourism map.
He further urged visiting players, officials and guests to take home positive impressions of Rivers State, reiterating that the protection of lives and property remains the foremost responsibility of his administration.
Earlier, President of the Port Harcourt Polo Club, Henry Prince Agbodjan, commended Governor Fubara for gracing the grand finale of the tournament, noting that the seamless and incident-free conduct of the event further attests to the security situation in the state.
Agbodjan also disclosed that the tournament coincided with the 20th remembrance of Architect Roland Cookey-Gam, who died in a plane crash, adding that the event served both sporting and commemorative purposes.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of trophies to the winning teams and individuals at the tournament.
