13/02/2026
PRESS STATEMENT
Dr. Adaeze Oreh
Former Commissioner for Health, Rivers State
February 13, 2026
Following the official announcement by the Rivers State Government on the dissolution of the State Executive Council by His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, I wish to address the wonderful people of Rivers State, our dedicated health workforce, and our esteemed partners.
I am profoundly grateful to His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for the extraordinary opportunity and immense privilege he extended to me to serve as Commissioner for Health. This role allowed me to contribute directly to his visionary leadership and the shared mission of transforming lives across our beloved state. It has been one of the greatest honours of my life to work towards a healthier, more equitable Rivers State, and I will forever be thankful for the trust and confidence he placed in me.
The true joy of this tenure lay in the remarkable opportunity it presented, to do meaningful, life-changing work for the people of Rivers State. Together, we strengthened the foundations of primary healthcare, advanced maternal and child health outcomes, expanded access to quality services, promoted greater accountability, and forged powerful partnerships that elevated Rivers State's voice in national and global health discussions. These were not isolated accomplishments but collective triumphs born from the unwavering dedication of our health workers, the support of development partners, and the resilience and trust of the communities we served.
I extend my heartfelt appreciation to the Permanent Secretaries, Chief Executives, Directors, Medical Officers for Health, frontline professionals, and every member of the Ministry of Health team. Your quiet excellence, passion, and commitment made it possible to leverage every opportunity to build stronger systems and deliver real impact for our people - our women, children, men, the elderly, persons living with disabilities, and the most vulnerable.
As I step aside in line with the Governor’s directive, I do so with immense pride in the progress we achieved together and full confidence in the talented professionals who will carry this vital work forward. Public service is about seizing opportunities to serve selflessly, and I am deeply honoured to have had this chance under Governor Fubara’s administration.
My commitment to the people of Rivers State remains steadfast. I will continue to champion stronger health systems, equitable access, innovative policies, and the amplification of community voices wherever opportunities arise to contribute to health development, institutional reform, and public service in our state and beyond.
To our healthcare workers: Your sacrifice, professionalism, and compassion remain the heartbeat of our health system. Keep embracing every opportunity to serve with excellence.
To the good people of Rivers State across our riverine and upland communities: Thank you for the trust, engagement, and shared conviction that together we can and must build a brighter future.
The pride in the opportunity to have served you as endures, and the work continues.
May GOD bless Rivers State and may we see our beloved state rightfully and sustainably positioned in growth and development.
Yours in service,
Dr. Adaeze Chidinma Oreh
