Rivers
CIWA Becomes FullVarsity, Soon
The Catholic Institute of West Africa (CIWA) would become a full fledged university in the near future.
The Rector of CIWA, Very Reverend Monsignor Adeigbo who disclosed this last Monday at the Foundation Day celebration of the institute said efforts were being made with relevant authorities to make CIWA a Higher Ecclesiastical Institute for the study of Theology and related disciplines within the socio-cultural context of Africa.
“CIWA which started with only one faculty and three departments in 1981 is gradually being transformes into a multi-faculty institute with over five departments, a centre of communication and awaiting full faculty of Theology and centre of Canon Law Studies. It is hoped that some time in the near future, the Catholic Institute of West Africa will become a full fledged university”, he said.
Very Rev. Adeigbo who pointed out that the formation of men and women towards upholding the supremacy of the divine over the human, defending the integrity of faith and morals and preserving the socio-cultural and religious values of Africans formed part of the objectives of CIWA.
He noted that the Founders Day celebration marked the thirty-two years of the institute’s success story, especially on academic excellence, human and spiritual capacity building.
In his speech, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Dr. Theo Chike Osanakpo advocated the need for individuals in all facets of life to be ambassadors for preaching and encouraging only the right and correct things to be done in the society.
Dr. Osanakpo who was Chairman of the occasion, described the theme of the programme “Administrative Justice: Challenges and Prospects in the Church and Nigeria”, as apt, stressing that for any society to stand the test of time, in terms of stability, peace and for the interest and welfare of the people, administration of justice remains very fundamental.
Observing that it would be difficult for the citizenry to trust those in leadership in view of what is obtainable in Nigeria, he noted that it is only by doing the right things that will bring about a credible system and leadership that people can trust.
Chris Oluoh
Representative of the District Superintendent (West and Central Africa), the Apostolic Faith Church, Rev. Gabriel Ajayi, Overseer, Port Harcourt Regional, Rev. Edet Bassey and Director of Worship (West And Central Africa), Rev. Festus Oyeniyi, at the 2013 Apostolic Faith Church’s Regional Camp meeting in Port Harcourt recently
Judges of the High Court, Rivers State state Port Harcourt have resumed their normal Court sitting on Wednesday 30th April 2025 after spending fifteen days this year’s Easter holidays.
It will be recalled that the State High Court Judges had proceeded on Easter vacation on Monday April 14 to 29th ,2025 on the approval of the state chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi.
A statement signed by the Chief Registrar, High Court Rivers State, Port Harcourt, David Ihua _maduenyi, esq said the judges are to resume court sitting on Wednesday 30th April, 2025 in line with the earlier directives from the state chief judge and urged the general public to take notice of the resumption date.
“This is to inform the general public that the judges of the High court of the Rivers state shall resume normal Court sitting after Easter vacation on Wednesday, 30th April, 2025.
“Recall that the chief judge of Rivers state, Hon justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi had earlier directed that judges of the high court of Rivers state, should proceed on Easter vacation from Monday, 18 April 2025 to Tuesday, 29th April, 2025.”
“The general public should take notice:the High court of Rivers state shall resume sitting on Wednesday, 30th April 2025.”
The Management of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has approved annual free medical checks for all staff of the University. The move is to promote staff sound health and productivity at work place.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this during the third edition of the “Walk for Life” health, wellness and fitness exercise, held last Saturday.
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the new health policy will enable every staff member of the University to undergo free comprehensive medical check-up on their birthdays, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to promoting the health and wellbeing of staff members.
Professor Zeb-Obipi emphasized that regardless of whether a staff member’s birthday falls on a weekend, the initiative applies to all Rivers State University employees, expressing optimism that the Health Services Department has the required manpower and facilities to manage the novel health policy.
To achieve the policy, the VC said that the Establishment Division will liaise with the Health Services to compile the birthdays of all staff and send notification two or three days before the days their birthdays fall, reminding them to go for their free medical check-up.
Highlighting the importance of active leadership, the Vice-Chancellor stated that leadership requires direct engagement with the people, a principle he called “management by walking the floor,” rather than managing from behind closed doors. He emphasized that policies should be crafted from direct engagement with employees to understand their challenges.
He noted that this edition of the “Walk for Life” health fitness programme serves as a practical example of this management style, allowing him to interact with members of the university community and observe firsthand the need for regular health checks. He described the walk as a “worthy exercise,” pointing out that since most university work is sedentary, periodic physical activities such as the Walk for Life are crucial for the health and productivity of the staff.
The Vice-Chancellor also noted that this month’s “Walk for Life” coincides with the World Malaria Week, underlining the University’s commitment to supporting global health initiatives with the pledge that “Malaria must end with us.”.
Earlier, the Director of Health Services Department, Dr. Dagogo Cookey-Gam, charged the university community to visit the Medical Centre for testing before treatment of malaria. He said parents should watch out for children under 5 years because they can come under severe malaria attack, adding that pregnant women should also be mindful not to be exposed of having malaria due to their low immune system.
Dr. Cookey-Gam noted that malaria can be prevented by maintaining a clean environment and using mosquito nets.
On his part, the Director of the University Sports Unit, Prof. Joseph Vipene, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for sustaining the monthly “Walk for Life” initiative, assuring that the programme which has come to stay has placed the University in an enviable position for others to emulate.
The Police Command in Rivers State has confirmed the commencement of an investigation into the death of a police officer who allegedly took his own life in Port Harcourt.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, disclosed this to journalists on Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
“We received a report about an officer who allegedly killed himself.
“However, we are currently investigating the report to ascertain what transpired”, she stated.
Iringe-Koko reported that the Commissioner of Police in the Sstate, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, directed that the case be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (SCIID) for a thorough investigation.
According to viral reports Monday, Insp. Maxwell Zabu, formerly a security detail to Victor Ihunwo, a former Chairman of Port Harcourt City Council, allegedly shot himself at Ihunwo’s residence in Eagle Island, Port Harcourt.
A source familiar with the incident said the matter was reported to the Azikiwe Police Division in the area.
“Following the report, detectives from the division visited the scene as part of preliminary investigation procedures”, the source added.