Connect with us

News

Why We Confirmed Fakae, RSUST VC

Published

on

The Rivers State Government has explained the reasons why it took the bold initiative to confirm the appointment of Prof Barineme Beke Fakae as vice chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, pulling the rug off the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) demand for a substantive vice chancellor of the premier university.

In a statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, George Feyii, yesterday, the government said it approved the substantive appointment of Fakae for a second tenure in conformity with the provisions of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology Law, through a joint selection committee of members of Governing Council and Senate, set up for the purpose.

According to the statement, the committee shortlisted five candidates: Professors B. Onuegbu, M. Ahiakwo, N. Lale, B.B. Fakae and C. Enyinda for the position, adding that at the end of the selection process, only Professors B.B. Fakae and C. Enyinda were forwarded to the Visitor, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi for consideration and appointment as vice chancellor.

Feyii explained that having taken into consideration all the dynamics of the office and the underlining intrigues preceding the nomination of the candidates, the governor, in exercise of his discretionary powers, chose Prof Barineme Beke Fakae.

Making further clarifications on the process leading to the announcement of the reappointment of Fakae, the government said that it was discovered that Professors Onuegbu, Ahiakwo, and Lale, who were also candidates in the selection process were involved in the nomination of members of the joint selection committee.

Specifically, the government pointed out that Professors Onuegbu and Ahiakwo nominated Professors Ogburia and S. Amadi as members of the joint selection committee while Professors Lale and Ahiakwo, who were members of the Governing Council nominated Amabipi Martins, Mrs Matilda Nondim, Chief Nemi Adoki, Deacon Abigo and Chief Wike into the joint selection committee.

“As candidates for the position of the vice chancellor, they are barred morally and legally from participating in the process of the selection of persons to be nominated into the body to determine their suitability as vice chancellors,” the government explained, adding that for this reason, “Professors Onuegbu, Ahiakwo and Lale were therefore disqualified from contesting for the position of vice chancellor.

“The fact that they were allowed to stand for the selection and were interviewed did not cure the initial defect and substantive disability,” the government said, stressing that, “the principle to be protected here is that, a candidate cannot choose his own judge.”

The statement further indicated that contrary to claims being made by ASUU and some other elements, in an attempt to deliberately misinform and mislead the public, the appointment of Professor Barineme Beke Fakae as vice chancellor was done in accordance with due process.

The government highlighted other factors which boosted Professor Fakae’s credentials to include the fact that although his appointment in 2008 was challenged by ASUU, that suit was struck out for lack of merit.

Others are the fact that on assumption of office in 2008, less than 20 per cent of courses run by RSUST had Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation but at the expiration of Fakae’s first tenure, 100 per cent of courses run by the university had been accredited.

The government said it was proud that “out of 124 universities in the country, RSUST is not only among the top 27 considered qualified for visitation by NUC for the purposes of institutional accreditation but it is now institutionally accredited with an impressive score of 67.25 per cent, and rated “A” in the second category to operate as a university for the next five years.”

In addition, the government said that Rivers people happy that “RSUST has moved up from 76th position on the World Webometric Rating of Nigerian universities to the 19th position,” emphasizing that cultism, which was at its highest peak some years ago, leading to the death of students in their numbers, has been stamped out completely.

The statement restated the government’s commitment to achieving excellence in education at all levels as evident in the educational programmes being pursued by the administration, adding that the governor respects and upholds the rule of law, and has strived to conduct the affairs of the state according to law.

The government, therefore, appealed to all stakeholders including ASUU to embrace measures that will ensure the return of students and lecturers to the classrooms in the overall interest of the state’s future educational development.

 

Nelson Chukwudi

Continue Reading

News

Rivers DPOs Receive Awards For Outstanding Performance In Crime Prevention …As Students, Media Group Honour CSP Worgu, CSP Yusuf

Published

on

Two Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) in Rivers State have been honoured by separate groups for their contributions to security, crime prevention and improved community-police relations in their respective areas of responsibility.

The beneficiaries are the DPO of Afam Police Division, CSP  Endurance Worgu and his counterpart at Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf.

CSP Worgu was honoured by a group of students under the aegis of Rivers State Graduate Students Associations for what they described as his commitment and outstanding performance in the discharge of his duties.

The students, led by  Chidi John Enyie, Esq. said CSP Worgu was selected based on his track record and status as one of the longest-serving young DPOs of Rivers State origin.

According to the group, CSP Worgu has made significant contributions to the protection of lives and property in the area since assuming office following the #EndSARS period.

The students said they were particularly impressed by the improvement in community-police relations under his leadership, noting that professionalism had remained a key feature of his service.

Enyie represented by Comrade Briggs Soku, said the students community was pleased to identify with a Rivers indigene who had distinguished himself in the police force.

He said the students considered it necessary to encourage and celebrate CSP Worgu because of his achievements as a young Rivers man excelling in a profession that many people from the state were often reluctant to join.

Receiving the award at his office in Afam, CSP Worgu expressed gratitude to God and the students for finding him worthy of the honour.

The DPO said the recognition had boosted his morale and encouraged him to sustain his efforts towards maintaining peace and security in the area.

He said he least expected the honour, particularly because it came from the students, adding that the recognition would further motivate him to serve the people better.

CSP Worgu assured residents of Afam that the police would sustain the existing peace in the area.

He appealed to members of the public to support the police by providing credible and timely information, stressing that useful information from residents would make the job of security personnel easier.

Meanwhile, the Ikwerre/Etche Media Association has also honoured the DPO of Oyigbo Police Division, CSP Bello Yusuf, for his efforts in tackling criminal activities in the area.

The media group presented the award following the swift tracking and arrest of five suspected kidnappers who had allegedly terrorised residents of the Kom-Kom axis and other parts of Oyigbo.

The group commended CSP Bello for what it described as his determined efforts to restore confidence and security in the affected communities, particularly Kom-Kom and Obeama.

According to the group, the arrest of the suspects demonstrated the DPO’s commitment to tackling criminality and safeguarding residents.

The media association said residents had received the development with relief, noting that the police action had sent a strong message to criminal elements operating in the area.

Responding, CSP Yusuf appreciated the group for the recognition and reaffirmed that there would be no room for criminality in Oyigbo.

He also commended the media for its role in disseminating credible information to the public, saying the media had remained supportive of the police in the fight against crime.

CSP Yusuf warned criminal elements operating in Oyigbo to leave the area or be prepared to face the full weight of the law.

He assured residents that the police would continue to pursue criminals and work to dismantle their hideouts, regardless of where they might be operating.

Continue Reading

News

College Of Bishops Endorses Tinubu, APC Candidates  For 2027 Polls

Published

on

The 5000 Achievers Christian Forum and Colleges of Bishops, Archbishops and Apostles, a Christian interdenominational organisation, has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and all candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State for the 2027 general elections.

International President of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, disclosed this during the ordination and consecration of three new Bishops, as well as an award ceremony held in Port Harcourt.

Aroh said the performance of the APC-led Federal Government had endeared the party to the organisation, prompting the forum to declare its support for President Tinubu and other APC candidates in Rivers State.

He said the forum would support all APC candidates in the state during the 2027 elections and urged Nigerians to vote for the party.

Aroh, who is also the General Overseer of Caring Peoples Church, Port Harcourt, charged the newly consecrated Bishops to see their new positions as a great responsibility and dedicate themselves to the advancement of the kingdom of God.

He cautioned them against conduct capable of bringing their offices into disrepute, stressing that their activities would be closely watched by members of the public.

“As Bishops, the eyes of the public are on your activities. You must therefore conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of your calling,” he said.

Also speaking, the International Coordinator of the forum, Bishop Saint Robinson, urged the newly consecrated Bishops to work diligently towards winning souls for the kingdom of God.

Robinson, who was the guest speaker at the event, stressed that the activities of Bishops must at all times be guided by godly principles.

He also called on members of the church to support and cooperate with the newly consecrated Bishops in the discharge of their responsibilities.

The Secretary of the College, Apostle Elizabeth Ayadi Abaye, said the organisation was established to advance the kingdom of God and promote spiritual development.

According to her, the forum has organised several crusades, conferences, prayer meetings, ordinations, consecrations, enthronements, empowerment programmes and other spiritual development activities across the country as part of efforts to win souls for Christ.

Abaye said the organisation has members across the world and disclosed that more programmes had been scheduled to promote the spiritual development and wellbeing of humanity.

The three Bishops consecrated at the ceremony were Prince Alban Chike, Testimony Omenihu Shedrach and Prince Ifemena.

Among those honoured at the event were the Chairman of the Community Development Committee (CDC), Abali Community, Port Harcourt City Local Government Area, Manuchimso Prince Lemmy Wopara, and Clifford Oko Jaja, Coordinator of the 5,000 House-to-House for President Tinubu.

By: John Bibor

Continue Reading

News

Police Arrest Fake Soldier, Others For Armed Robbery, Kidnapping

Published

on

The Rivers State Police Command has arrested a 49-year-old suspected fake soldier, Andrew Atausi, and several other suspects in connection with various criminal activities, including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, one-chance robbery and the alleged murder of police officers.

The State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, disclosed this in Port Harcourt, recently during a press briefing at the Command Headquarters, where he said the arrests formed part of the operational achievements recorded by the Command between June and August 2026.

Adepoju said Atausi was arrested on August 10 by police operatives along Ada George, Port Harcourt, while dressed in military uniform and driving a Toyota Hilux painted in Army colours.

The Commissioner said investigation revealed that Atausi was not a member of the Armed Forces, adding that he was suspected to be a serial car snatcher, with three suspected stolen vehicles recovered from him.

He said the recovered vehicles included three Toyota Hilux vehicles without registration numbers and a Toyota Corona Premio with registration number BNY 380 ES, noting that the chassis and engine numbers of the vehicles had allegedly been tampered with.

Adepoju added that an axe and military accoutrements were also recovered from Atausi, as investigation continued into the circumstances surrounding the vehicles and other items recovered from him.

On the June 29 attack on police officers at Aluu Division, the Commissioner said three members of the gang allegedly responsible for the incident had been arrested by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU-AKU.

The suspects, identified as Maduabuchi Emeka, 34, alleged gang leader; Doctor Chinedu Owhor, 42, and Kamachi Joe, 28, alleged armourer, reportedly led operatives to their hideout at Omagwa where two AK-47 rifles stolen during the attack were recovered.

Adepoju recalled that two police officers were killed during the Aluu attack, while others were wounded and one officer had his leg amputated, stressing that efforts were ongoing to apprehend the fourth suspect.

On kidnapping, the Commissioner said five members of a suspected kidnapping syndicate were arrested in Oyigbo Local Government Area, adding that they allegedly confessed to operations in Kom-Kom, Railway, Obeama and Afam communities.

He said two other suspects from the same network, Anele Ogbogu, 35, alleged to be the gang’s armourer, and Kenneth Eke, 38, were arrested on July 27, with one AK-47 rifle and one SMG rifle recovered.

The Commissioner further disclosed the arrest of suspects in connection with alleged firearm offences, armed robbery, cultism and one-chance robbery, with firearms, ammunition and other exhibits recovered during the operations.

Adepoju assured residents that the Command would sustain intelligence-led, proactive and community-oriented policing in collaboration with other security agencies, while urging members of the public to continue providing credible information that would assist the police in combating crime across Rivers State.

By; King Onunwor

Continue Reading

Trending