Lady Valerie Fubara, Rivers State First Lady, Nigeria, is a
woman of passion for public service, particularly for the welfare of women and
children. She was born on the 29th of June in Ikwerre Local Government Area
(LGA) of Rivers State, but her year of birth is not made public. Personal
details of her early life and education are not made public.
Her Personal Life
Lady Valerie is married to Governor Siminalayi Fubara, who
is the current Governor of Rivers State. The couple has three sons, whose names
and personal details are not known to the public, a reflection of the family's
need for secrecy.
Lady Valerie lost her mother, Mrs. Adeline Jaja, who was 87,
in March 2024. Mrs. Jaja was a pillar of strength and leadership and served
with the Nigeria Police Force until 1997 when she retired. The funeral was
attended by numerous dignitaries, testifying to the family's prestige and
respect in which they are held.
The Humanitarian Efforts and Activism of Valerie Fubara
Lady Valerie has been vocal on gender parity and women's
empowerment since her appointment as First Lady. She celebrated the courage and
valuable contributions of women to society on International Women's Day in
2024, attributing the imperative to invest in women to mobilize society ahead.
Her commitment to the welfare of humanity is also reflected
in her being awarded the "Wise Woman of the Year" in 2024. This was
awarded in recognition of her efforts in assisting families and enhancing the
lives of women in Rivers State and beyond.
In aid of the "Renewed Hope Initiative" Food
Security Programme, led by the President's wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Lady
Valerie distributed 2,400 bags of rice and cash presents to the less fortunate,
vulnerable, and physically challenged individuals in the 23 local government
areas of Rivers State. This gesture helped to emphasize her dedication towards
food security and welfare of the underprivileged.
Her Public Engagements
Lady Valerie's public appearances are usually aimed at
promoting social welfare and community development. A case in point is during
the Port Harcourt 2024 Children's Day celebration, where she spoke about the
importance of taking care of the children because they are the future of the
country. Her anti-child labor and trafficking campaign is a manifestation of
her support for child protection and development.
She was in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
and the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital in December 2023 to celebrate
with mothers who had given birth on Christmas Day. In both institutions, she
insisted that parents should instill good values in the children, demonstrating
her belief in the pivotal role of the family in nation-building.
The Suspension of Valerie Fubara's Husband
On 18 March 2025, President Bola Tinubu declared in a
national broadcast a state of emergency in Rivers State, vesting him with the
special powers as provided by the Nigerian Constitution, to suspend Fubara, his
deputy Ngozi Odu, and the members of the state house of assembly. The Nigerian
President cited months of 'intense political instability' and 'crisis' in the
state, which he further added that the state had a "paralyzed
governance" and "threatened national stability.
Following this declaration, the Rivers State governor, Mr
Siminalayi Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the
Rivers State House of Assembly are suspended for an initial duration of six
months.
The president, following the suspension, appointed a former
Chief of the Nigerian Navy, Ibok Ekwe Ibas, as the Sole Administrator of the
state for the period.
Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution empowers the
President to declare a state of emergency throughout the country or in part
thereof under some extreme situations, in which he is empowered to exercise
extraordinary powers.
Valerie Fubara's Net Worth
Valerie Fubara's personal net worth is not publicly
available. Her husband, Governor Siminalayi Fubara, is worth more than
$500,000, made through his long span in public service, first as Accountant
General and now as governor.
Conclusion
Lady Valerie Fubara's tenure as Rivers State First Lady is
marked by her unflinching commitment to humanitarian causes, generally advocating for the rights of women, children's welfare, and community
development. Her actions and public life reflect strong roots in fostering a
more compassionate and equitable society.
