His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi “Sim” Fubara GSSR (born 28 January 1975) in Opobo Town of Rivers State, is the Governor of Rivers State. He completed his primary education at Opobo Primary School and attended Comprehensive Secondary School, Opobo, before proceeding to study Accountancy at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology. He then proceeded to get his MBA and MSC from the University of Port Harcourt.
Governor Siminalayi is a reserved, calm, smart, calculated but meticulous man and remains socially connected to every segment of society. He is a very strong community and grassroots mobiliser. He is a man of the people, well-loved, and appreciated by the grassroots. He belongs to several social organisations, including his alma maters both at the tertiary and secondary levels.
He is highly regarded for his humanity, respect for elders, and above all, his altruism. He is also generally acknowledged for the enormous respect he has for Rivers elders and frontline leaders, irrespective of their political leanings.
He is peace-loving, detribalised, compassionate and benevolent. In addition to his inclusive and generous personal philanthropic efforts, his invaluable service to the community grew from earlier volunteer work to subsequently attracting government projects to and directing personal efforts at the development of Opobo Kingdom and the entire local government area. It is in appreciation of this deep commitment to community development that he was conferred with the prestigious traditional title of Amaopusenibo of Opobo Kingdom, a Chieftaincy title that elevated him to dine and wine with Kings and Queens.
His spirit of charity and philanthropy has compelled him to assiduously work with local outreach groups, among them SWITCH-ON, Caregivers Humanitarian Outreach, on poverty alleviation, skills acquisition, scholarships and other empowerment programmes. This has, in the past three years, spurred empowerment deliverables through which many underprivileged people have gained a means of livelihood. After a pioneer programme in 2019 and palliative efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic, SWITCH-ON launched a special programme for women in October 2021 tagged: Women Empowerment Programme. This was followed in July 2022 by the implementation of the Men Empowerment Programme that supported over 430 beneficiaries.
Since May 29, 2023 when he took over the mantle of governance of the state, Governor Siminalayi has not disappointed Rivers people. Within his first 100 days in office, he delivered more than 21 infrastructural projects across the State. He flagged off the multibillion naira Port Harcourt Ring Road, running across Six Local Government Areas, with one major bridge, six flyovers, and about 12 roundabouts. He has also flagged off the construction of 20,000 low income housing scheme at Mbodo Aluu, being funded and handled by TAF Africa Global. The government also signed contract for a new central spare parts market with GOSH Project Limited and many more ongoing.
The Government is also working to revive the Rivers Songhai Farm and others in Andoni, Buguma, Etche, Gokana, Khana, among others. Projects in education, health have either been completed or ongoing. The Civil Service has been reengineered, with the State Secretariat bouncing back to life, and the hopes of civil servants of better days ahead being restored.
The government has already set aside about N4billion for micro-business activities for SMEs, and other empowerment programmes. He has been honoured with several awards such as The Peace Advocate Awards, The International Peace Prize Medal Award and many more…
He is married with Children.
The Board and Organizing Committee of Humanitarian Service Diamond Awards hereby present His Excellency, Governor Sir. Siminalayi Fubara GSSR for Lifetime Humanitarian Hero.
