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Rivers

Rsg Promises To Support College Of Health

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11 years ago

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The Secretary to the State
Government, Kenneth Kobani, has assured management of Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology of government’s support in its move to take the college to enviable level.
Kobani gave the assurance when the Provost, Dr. Nnamdi Amadi and members of staff of the college paid him a courtesy visit in his office.
The SSG expressed appreciation for the recognition of the developmental strides by the present administration in the state, assuring them that their requests would be presented to the governor for consideration.
Kobani  expressed the need for the college to work in line with the National Curriculum, and explained that it is the determination of the present government to bring changes to all sectors.
Earlier, the Provost Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, Dr. Nnamdi Amadi, had called on the state government to employ more personnel to fill the vacancies created by yearly retirement of their teachers.
Amadi, worried by the retirement trend, stated that if prompt action was not taken to save the ugly situation, the college may lose most of its professional staff, and this would adversely affect the college.
“A crucial constraint is the number of teaching staff that retires every year on account of 35 years of service. This indeed is very worrisome soon the college will lose all the professionals,’’ the provost said.
The college provost called for recognition of the college as one of the higher institutions in the state, noting that although the institution had earlier been upgraded to a college status, many including government officials still wrongly classify the college as a unit in the Ministry of Health, adding that the situation has led to denial of benefits to the college.
Amadi disclosed that 80% of the courses run in the college have not been accredited by the National Board of Technical Education (NBTE) due to lack of finance to carryout the procedure for  accreditation, and called on the state government to assist the college.
He, however noted that despite the lack of incentives and recognition of the college, it has courageously moved to an enviable academic standard as National Diploma (ND) and Higher National Diploma (HND) awarding institution, and called for recognition of the college as a tertiary institution.
Amadi further made the following requests which included, Migration of the college staff salary from civil service salary structure to the tertiary institution salary structure as well as provision of funds for upgrading and accreditation of some of the certificate programmes of the college.
Other requests included provision of a standard library and approval of staff retirement age of 65 years as applicable to other institutions of higher learning, upgrading of the Demonstration Clinic of the college and development of the staff through training to meet the upgraded status of the college.

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Rivers

Group Seeks Police Support to Tackle GBV

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on the Prevention of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), a non-profit organization dedicated to combating gender-based violence in the State, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, to seek his support and partnership for a planned sensitization programme for Police GBV Desk Officers.
The delegation was led by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Lauretta Davies Dimpka, alongside the Committee’s Coordinator, Barr. Evelyn Membere Asimiea.
Speaking during the meeting, the Coordinator explained that the committee comprises various stakeholders, including FIDA, the media, security agencies, and traditional and religious institutions.
She noted that the initiative is funded by ActionAid Nigeria with support from the Ford Foundation, with the goal of strengthening efforts to eliminate gender-based violence in Rivers State.
“We have carried out several engagements, including community advocacy programmes and the training of female cultural influencers, among other activities,” she said.
In his response, the Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, pledged his full support for the initiative and assured the committee of the Police Command’s readiness to collaborate in strengthening GBV response mechanisms across the state.
Members of the delegation also included heads of sub-committees within the group: Barr. Ere Boma (Advocacy); Dr. Mary Obisike (Response); Martha Igbiks ( Information and Awareness); and Brown Musa Afonyagha (Religious/Traditional).
Observers described the engagement as a significant step toward enhancing coordination and improving the response to gender-based violence in Rivers State.
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Rivers

Youth Body Condemns Killing Of Member … Demands Immediate Suspension Of Bike Operation

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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Youths from Igwuruta Community in Rivers State have condemned the killing of the Secretary of Omuolu-Omunwei Community in Igwuruta,  Mr. Nchelem Samuel Festus, describing the incident as tragic and unacceptable.
In a communiqué issued on February 12, 2026, the youth body said Mr. Festus was allegedly murdered on Tuesday February 10, 2026, by commercial motorcycle operators identified as “Aboki bike riders” within the community.
The group expressed sadness and outrage over the development, stating that the killing has heightened tension in the area and disrupted the peace for which Igwuruta has long been known.
According to the communiqué, the incident is part of what the community described as a growing wave of criminal activities, including rape, kidnapping and other violent crimes allegedly perpetrated by the same group.
The youth body said Igwuruta has historically maintained a reputation as a peaceful and hospitable community where residents and visitors carry out their daily activities without fear.
It, however, noted that recent events and what it termed as “escalating violence” have created fear among residents and necessitated urgent intervention.
The communiqué called for the immediate suspension of all motorcycle operations by the group within Igwuruta.
It also demanded the closure of scrap-dump sites in the community allegedly operated by the said individuals.
Furthermore, the youth body urged security agencies to ensure the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the killing of Mr. Festus and perpetrators of other alleged crimes in the area.
It also called on cattle herders to vacate farmlands in Igwuruta and urged herdsmen to stay away from bushes within the community with immediate effect.
While pledging to uphold the rule of law and refrain from self-help, the youth body gave security agencies a 48-hour ultimatum to act on some of its demands, particularly the suspension of motorcycle operations and closure of scrap sites.
The communiqué appealed to security agencies, local government authorities and other stakeholders to treat the matter with urgency and collaborate with the community to restore peace and ensure justice.
As at the time of filing this report, the Police has not issued any official statement about the incident.
By: King Onunwor
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Rivers

NDDC, REA Seal Pact On Sustainable Electricity Expansion In N’Delta

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6 days ago

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February 16, 2026

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The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) to expand access to reliable and sustainable electricity across the Niger Delta region.
The agreement, signed at the headquarters of the REA in Abuja, is intended to strengthen institutional collaboration in accelerating development in underserved communities in the region.
A statement by the Director, Corporate Affairs of the NDDC, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said the pact underscores renewed efforts by the two federal interventionist agencies to deepen cooperation and fast-track infrastructure delivery.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Managing Director of the NDDC, Dr. Samuel Ogbuku, described the MoU as a strategic step towards realising the Commission’s vision to “light up the Niger Delta” in line with national priorities on distributed energy expansion.
Ogbuku said “the agreement represents a shared institutional responsibility to deliver reliable energy solutions that will enhance livelihoods, stimulate local economies and create broader opportunities across the nine Niger Delta states.”
According to him, electricity remains a critical enabler of national development, support for job creation, healthcare delivery, education and inclusive economic growth.
He noted that the collaboration would help unlock the economic potential of rural communities while advancing broader national development objectives.
The NDDC boss added that the Commission has consistently adopted partnership-driven approaches in executing projects in the region and is prepared to support the implementation of the MoU by leveraging its community presence and infrastructure development capacity.
He reaffirmed the Commission’s commitment to working closely with the REA to ensure the timely and effective execution of the agreement.
The NDDC delegation at the event included the Executive Director, Projects, Dr Victor Antai; Executive Director, Corporate Services, Otunba Ifedayo Abegunde; Director, Legal Services, Mr. Victor Arenyeka; Director, Finance and Supply, Mrs. Kunemofa Asu; and Director, Liaison Office, Abuja, Mrs. Mary Nwaeke.
In his remarks, the Managing Director of the REA, Dr. Abba Abubakar Aliyu, described the MoU as a natural collaboration between two agencies with complementary mandates, reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to sustainable electricity in rural communities.
“The Niger Delta remains central to Nigeria’s economic fortunes and must be supported by infrastructure capable of driving productivity, enterprise and improved living standards”, Aliyu said.
He adding that the partnership signals readiness to deliver stable power to communities that have long awaited reliable electricity supply.
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