By Clement Abayomi
Valerie Fubara is the wife of Siminalayi Fubara, the Governor of Rivers State. She was born in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State. Although her year of birth is not publicly known, local records reveal June 29 as her birthday. Her life before becoming First Lady has remained very private, and official biographies generally omit information about her education or early career.
In 2024, Rivers State’s Deputy Governor, Ngozi Odu, celebrated Valerie Fubara’s birthday and described her as “a strong pillar of support” to Governor Siminalayi Fubara. She also acknowledged Valerie Fubara as “a symbol of hope to women in Rivers State,” further highlighting her role in supporting the state government.
Though Valerie Fubara maintains a level of privacy, it is known that she is the mother of three sons. Her mother, Adeline Jaja, passed away at the age of 87 in March 2024. Female leaders across all 23 local councils of Rivers State offered their condolences, led by the Deputy Governor, who described Mrs. Jaja as a wonderful mother who served humanity selflessly.
On Christmas Day, December 25, 2024, Valerie Fubara visited the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to celebrate newborn babies and their parents. She emphasised the role of family in nation-building, gave gifts to the Christmas babies, and urged parents to raise their children with the fear of God and strong family values.
During the 2024 Children’s Day celebrations at Sharks Football Club Stadium in Port Harcourt, Valerie Fubara addressed a crowd on the issues of child trafficking and labour. Speaking on the theme, “Investing in the Future Means Investing in Our Children,” she stressed that the most lasting legacy any society can leave is the investment it makes in its children. She urged both authorities and parents to prioritise the development of Nigerian youth.
In July 2024, she supervised a statewide distribution of 2,400 bags of rice and related cash gifts as part of the Renewed Hope Initiative Food Security Programme. This effort, conducted under the auspices of the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, formed part of Rivers State’s contribution to the national relief initiative.
Valerie Fubara was honoured with the Woman of the Year Wise Women Award in August 2024 at a ceremony in Port Harcourt, hosted by Wisdom for Women International, in recognition of her efforts to empower women and support families across Rivers State. Earlier that year, in March, she also received the International Peace Ambassador Award from the International Association for World Peace Advocates in recognition of her work in peace-building and empowerment.
Fubara’s wife champions education
Her contributions extend far beyond ceremonial duties. She has initiated educational outreach programmes, distributed books and learning materials, and supported anti-child trafficking campaigns. Her public engagements frequently spotlight family values, child welfare, and women’s dignity, while also reflecting her alignment with her husband’s administration’s priorities, particularly in education and social welfare.
During Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s inaugural speech in 2023, he mentioned First Lady Valerie and their three children, underscoring their shared commitment to the development of Rivers State. Valerie Fubara’s public image is rooted in the couple’s enduring marriage and their mutual dedication to social upliftment and redefining public service roles.
