Rivers

RSG Urged To Sustain RSNC

Published

15 years ago

December 5, 2011

The former President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Senibo Sofiri, Bobo Brown has appealed to the Rivers State Government to evolve policies that would promote the sustainability of the state-owned Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), “The Tide, so as to enable the newspaper serve the purpose for which it was established.

Senibo Sofiri Bobo Brown made the appeal during the lecture session of the programme of events to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the newspaper corporation held at the Atlantic Hall of Hotel Presidential, Port Harcourt last Friday.

The former NIPR boss who chaired the lecture session explained that the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), The Tide was established by the first Military Administrator of the old Rivers State, Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff as a platform to bear the identity of the state in the then contemporary Nigerian society.

He stated that The Tide was established to be the voice of the southern minorities and served as an avenue for which the state could compete among other states in the country.

According to the former president of the NIPR, The Tide also serves as a torch bearer to the people of the state, adding that the Southern Nigeria used the establishment of various state print media to maintain their identity in the country.

“Our people tried to be heard through political participation, struggle to exist but of no avail. We have The Chronicle, Observer and The Tide, all were created to bear the identity of the region and give life to the people,” he stated.

He called on the state government to assist the corporation especially in the area of finance to enable it keep the faith of the founding fathers alive, adding that the corporation reminds the people of their history in the emerging Nigerian nation.

The chairman commended the management and staff of the corporation on the 40th anniversary celebration and urged them to continue to keep the spirit alive.

In his address at the event, the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC), Mr. Celestine Ogolo stated that the newspaper remains unarguably the only surviving and thriving state-owned newspaper in Nigeria.

Mr. Ogolo noted that the newspaper had operated in consonance with the dictates of modern information and communication technology, and had rightfully assumed its place as the authoritative voice of the Niger Delta which is a fulfillment of the dreams of the founding fathers.

The general manager disclosed that the RSNC was established by Edict No 11 of 1971 by the then Military Administrator, Commander Alfred Diete-Spiff which propelled the first launch of copy of the newspaper in Lagos on December 1, 1971 while the actual marketing and circulation of the newspaper started on December 4, the same year.

He recalled that the newspaper had led other newspapers in the early 70’s due to the robust government’s funding and the state of the art facilities it had, adding that the corporation had over the years been the major lubricant, catalyst and driver of the development paradigm of the state.

Mr. Ogolo lauded the founding fathers for their dreams that led to the establishment of the paper, adding that at 40 years of its existence, both the government and the people of the state should be delighted and proud that the newspaper had survived and met its mandate to Rivers State.

The general manager, while thanking various successive governments of the state for their efforts in keeping the newspaper afloat at a time when all government-owned newspapers in the country had either gone under or were managing to retain their sizeable staff assured that the newspaper would continue to fulfil its objectives to the people despite the huge challenges facing it.

Earlier in their separate lectures presentations, entitled “media-oil industry partnership for sustainable Development and the state media: the way forward presented by professor Ben Naanen and Mr. Ray Ekpu.

In his presentation, Prof Ben Naanen defined sustainable development as any development that meets the needs of the present without compromising he ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

He said given by the role of the media, the media would over has been vocal in exposing he environmental crimes of oil companies likening such relationship between the oil companies and the media as analogous to that between cat and the mouse.

However, he said the media can help in shaping and in generating awareness of oil companies especially in community solid responsibility programmes.

Mercy Awari & Beauty Abraham

Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions

Published

3 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.

Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.

He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.

“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.

“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.

In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.

The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.

Rivers

IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment

Published

3 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.

It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.

Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.

The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.

It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..

The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.

Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”

In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.

He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.

Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .

In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.

Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.

Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation

Published

3 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.

Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.

“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.

He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.

According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.

Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.

Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.

The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.

He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.

On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.

They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.

King Onunwor