Events

Rivers Announces 20-Day Event To Mark Fubara’s First-Year Anniversary

Published

2 years ago

May 8, 2024

The Rivers State Government has announced a 20-day event to mark Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s first year in office.

Ten projects have been earmarked for inauguration and flag-off in various Local Government Areas of the state as part of the activities.

While briefing journalists in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, the Chairman of the Central Planning Committee and Secretary to the Rivers State Government Tammy Dangogo said the activities will kick off on May 14th with the commissioning of the old Bori Road, providing an alternative route to the Eleme axis of the East-West Road.

Subsequent days will see the inauguration of various infrastructure projects, such as the Andoni section of the Ogoni-Andoni-Opobo/Nkoro Unity Road and the Eleme-Omoku Road connecting multiple LGAs.

Dangogo said in a bid to boost economic growth, the Rivers State Economic Summit 2024 will take center stage on May 22nd and 23rd with a focus on increasing the state’s internally generated revenue, attracting investment, and ensuring job creation.

As part of the anniversary celebrations, May 27th coinciding with Children’s Day will be marked by activities for children to be hosted by the governor’s wife Valerie Fubara during the day, followed by a state banquet in the evening to commemorate both the Fubara’s first year in office and the 57th anniversary of the state’s creation.

Other days of the anniversary celebration will feature the launch of a youth development programme on May 28th and an accountability forum on May 29th, where Governor Fubara will present his performance report from the past 12 months, with an opportunity for journalists and the public to scrutinise the facts presented.

Dangogo said May 30th will be the commencement of phase 2 of the Trans-Kalabari road, a mega project conceptualised by former Governor Peter Odili.

He explained that May 31 is reserved for the presentation of certificates to certain traditional rulers with pending certificates, followed by evening praise.

According to him, June 1 is for the Rivers International Marathon which the state government hopes to make a regular event to encourage tourism and promote healthy lifestyles.

The events will conclude with a thanksgiving ceremony on June 2 at Saint Paul’s Anglican Cathedral in Garrison Junction, Port Harcourt.

Danagogo mentioned that only a handful of projects were chosen from various localities, clarifying that all the projects to be commissioned, except one, were started by the present administration.

He described Governor Fubara’s administration as a “calm and quiet revolution,” with a determination for prudent management of resources.

According to him, a highlight of the commemoration will be the publication of a comprehensive book detailing his administration’s accomplishments, including project costs and specifications to be distributed during an account of stewardship scheduled for May 29th.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

4 days ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

Also read: 16 Famous Cultural Festivals That Define India

The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.