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UNIPORT SSANU Re-Elects Chairman

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9 years ago

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Chairman of the University
of Port Harcourt branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mr Bikume Syder, has been re-elected to serve another four years term in the organisation.
Announcing the result of the election into various offices monitored by our correspondent, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr Mike Ngeh, disclosed that out of the 669 senior staff accredited for the exercise, Mr Syder polled a total of 311 votes to emerge winner over his contender, Mr Ovunda Marcus who polled 227 votes.
Incumbent Vice-Chairman, Mr Bernard Chukwu, polled 359 votes to also return to office, Mrs Otami Akubom won the position of Secretary-General with 233 votes.
Mr John Nwajiobi emerged as new treasurer of the union with 313 votes, while Franklyn Isaiah was elected financial secretary with a total of 365 votes.
Also, Mr Peter Edoziem obtained 223 vote to secure the position of Public Relations Officer. While Mrs Elizabeth Amadi emerged as Assistant Secertary with a total of 395 votes. For the position of Women Leader, Mrs Elizabeth Akani got the slot with 244 votes. Mr Peter Ezi polled 418 votes to secure the position of Ex-Officio member. However Francis Nwigonee was elected Trustee of the branch with a total of 234 votes.
SSANU’s National Vice-President (East), Dr Leku Ador, who led other national and zonal officers of the association to observe the election, inaugurated the new executive council, charging those elected to discharge their duties in line with the extant rules governing the association.
“I charge you to see your victory as an opportunity to serve, rather than seeing it as an avenue to lord it over the rank and file of SSANU members in this branch. You must listen to those you are leading and ensure that you democratize all decision-making processes to carry everybody along in the scheme of things’, the National Vice-President admonished them.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Syder reiterated his commitment to the welfare of SSANU members in the university. “I want to thank all members of SSANU of giving us their mandate to run the association for the next four years, including those who did not vote for us.
Let me on behalf of the new executive council restate our readiness to serve you by promoting our collective welfare,” the re-elected chairman said.
Presenting the account of his stewardship in the first four yeas which commenced in 2012, Mr Syder listed refurbishing of the SSANU Secretariat at Delta Park, procurement of a fifteen-seater Toyota Hiace Bus, settlement of debt owed the UniPort Branch of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), introduction of a Savings and Loans Scheme and upward review of welfare benefits due members, as some of his achievements in office.
“It is my hope that the focus of the union in this branch would be geared towards continued robust representation of members’ interest through constructive engagement with management, the building of a befitting permanent secretariat complex, staff conversation as first option of recruitment, consolidation of the SSANU-UniPort Welfare and Savings Scheme, loan facilities for members at 10% simple interest rate repayable over two years, quarterly presentation of accounts as enshrined in the recently amended SSANU constitution and sustenance of the union’s end-of-year get-together and christmas package, among other incentives,” Mr. Syder said.

 

Sogbeba Dokubo

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Education

2025 Book Reading: TotalEnergies Commits To Unlocking Potentials, Career Choices In Students 

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3 days ago

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October 13, 2025

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TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited says it is committed to unlocking reading potentials and passion in students to guaranteeing successes in their educational futures.
The Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Asset (JVA), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Olivier Cassassoles, stated this while delivering his speech at the 2025 Book Reading & Open Day Event For Senior Secondary Schools In Rivers State, held at the TotalEnergies Event Centre, Trans-Amadi, PortHarcourt, at the Weekend, with the theme ‘Paragraphs, Pages, and Chapters: Unlocking the Secrets of Success through Reading’.
Cassassoles who noted that the present era is characterised with endless distractions said students need a deliberate push for self-discovery and growth in their educational pursuits adding that reading, for students, is more than preparation for exams; as it is a gateway to new worlds, cultures and ideas, with each book serving as a passport to empathy, critical thinking, and self-expression.
While noting that the event marked a celebration of curiosity, imagination, and the transformative power of books, Cassassoles insisted that there is no greater spark than the one lit by a good book, adding that by supporting education, the company nurtures future leaders, innovators, and change makers.
He said “Today, we unite under a theme that resonates deeply with every learner: “Paragraphs, Pages, and Chapters: Unlocking the Secrets of Success through Reading.” This is not merely a motto, but a journey we embark on together. Each paragraph contains wisdom, every page opens a new possibility, and every chapter marks a new beginning in our personal stories.
“At TotalEnergies, our commitment to energizing society goes far beyond fueling vehicles or lighting homes. For over 60 years, we have been passionate about lighting up minds and empowering future generations through education. We are honored to invest in education, knowing that by supporting today’s youth, we help shape a brighter tomorrow. Let’s turn the pages together and unlock the next chapter of greatness”.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr (Mrs) Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, stressed that the journey of life begins with reading, expressing confidence in the schools and students of the state in their commitment to making the state proud in both national and international competitions.
Represented by the State’s Deputy Director, Senior Secondary Schools,  Gbaranwi Charles B, Uzoma-Nwogu thanked TotalEnergies for its contributions to the growth, development and success of education in the state and pledged the ministry’s partnership in instilling reading habit in the students thereby shaping their minds and molding them like clay in the hands of a skilled potter.
Presenting awards to the representatives of the winners of the ‘Schools Presentation on TotalEnergies’, the General Manager, Country Services, Adesua Adewole, commended the students for their resilience and commitment to studies urging them to remain relentless for greater future achievements.
In his Closing Remarks, the Deputy General Manager, External Communications, TotalEnergies, Nigeria, Dr. Charles Ebereonwu, who noted the continuous evolvement of the company even in guiding educational and career paths, wished the students the best in their career decisions.
The year’s event featured a Nigerian literary classic novel: ‘The Potter’s Wheel’ by renowned author, Vincent Chukwuemeka Ike; a novel that not only mirrors the journey of many students as they navigate challenges, learn responsibility, and discover their voices but serves as a beacon of character, discipline, and personal growth.
Participating schools were Community Secondary School, Okuru-Ama (winner), Model Secondary School, GRA (1st runner-up) and Immaculate Heart College, Borokiri (2nd runner-up).
Others were Pabod Model Secondary School, Old GRA, Enitona High School, Borokiri, SeaCrest Preparatory School, Redeemer’s International School, Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri and Community Secondary School, Abuloma.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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Education

CSS Okuru-Ama Wins 2025 total/elf book reading competition

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3 days ago

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October 13, 2025

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The Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Asset (JVA), TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Olivier Cassassoles, has  stated that reading, for students, is more than preparation for exams; as it is a gateway to new worlds, cultures and ideas, emphasising that each book is a passport to empathy, critical thinking, and self-expression.
While noting that the event marked a celebration of curiosity, imagination, and the transformative power of books, Cassassoles insisted that there is no greater spark than the one lit by a good book, adding that by supporting education, the company nurtures future leaders, innovators, and changemakers.
He said “Today, we unite under a theme that resonates deeply with every learner: “Paragraphs, Pages, and Chapters: Unlocking the Secrets of Success through Reading.” This is not merely a motto, but a journey we embark on together. Each paragraph contains wisdom, every page opens a new possibility, and every chapter marks a new beginning in our personal stories.
“At TotalEnergies, our commitment to energizing society goes far beyond fueling vehicles or lighting homes. For over 60 years, we have been passionate about lighting up minds and empowering future generations through education”.
The TotalEnergies DMD revealed that the company’s longstanding dedication to Nigeria’s youth was evident in a broad range of educational initiatives including
Scholarship Programs, construction of educational structures and laboratories, donation of solar lamps to students, Empowering The Teacher (ETT) fellowship programs and institution of the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies (IPES) in the University of PortHarcourt.
These efforts, he said, are not isolated but are all part of TotalEnergies’ vision to ignite potential and foster a culture of lifelong learning
“To our students: May this event be a turning point. May The Potter’s Wheel and the opportunities we support inspire you to reach higher and dream bigger. To our educators and guests: Thank you for being the guiding hands- the potters molding the bright minds of tomorrow.
.
“At TotalEnergies, we are honored to invest in education, knowing that by supporting today’s youth, we help shape a brighter tomorrow. Let’s turn the pages together and unlock the next chapter of greatness”, he said.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr (Mrs) Azibaolanari Uzoma-Nwogu, noted that books inspire, educate and transform, saying “there’s no time you open a page of a book that you don’t get something”.
Uzoma-Nwogu, who was represented by the Deputy Director, Senior Secondary Schools, Rivers State, Gbaranwi Charles B, stressed that the journey of life begins with reading, expressing confidence in the schools and students of the state in their commitment to making the state proud in both national and international competitions.
The Permanent Secretary thanked TotalEnergies for the growth, development and success of education in the state and pledged the ministry’s partnership in instilling reading habit in the students thereby shaping their minds and molding them like clay in the hands of a skilled potter.
Presenting awards to the representatives of the winners of the ‘Schools Presentation on TotalEnergies’, the General Manager, Country Services, Adesua Adewole, commended the students for their resilience and commitment to studies urging them to remain relentless for greater future achievements.
The year’s participating schools are Community Secondary School, Okuru-Ama (winner), Model Secondary School, GRA (1st runner-up) and Immaculate Heart College, Borokiri (2nd runner-up).
Others were Pabod Model Secondary School, Old GRA, Enitona High School, Borokiri, SeaCrest Preparatory School, Redeemer’s International School, Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri and Community Secondary School, Abuloma.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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Education

NAS moves to end Out-of-School syndrome in Enugu 

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3 days ago

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October 13, 2025

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Chapters of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) in Enugu and South Africa have called on the state government, philanthropists, and organizations in Nigeria to devise practical approaches on how to return school age children from the streets to the classrooms.
Alarmed by the growing population of school age children on our streets, the Cap’n  of the Enugu chapter of NAS, Mr Oseloka Egbuchiem, said, “it is a time bomb and a sad commentary on our social responsibility.”
Addressing journalists in Enugu  on Tuesday, Egbuchiem explained that NAS chose October 6 to galvanize national awareness and collective action on the crisis of out of school children (OOSC) in Nigeria, through its Street Child Project and Back to School Campaign.
According to him, “the truth is that NAS can’t do it alone. The governments at different levels, and philanthropists should participate in this because it is a huge crisis.”
He noted further that, “we in Enugu collaborated with the chapter in South Africa on this campaign to mark the one-day national awareness and advocacy.
“On Monday, we distributed  educational kits to at least 1,000 children in the state in five primary schools in Enugu metropolis and suburb.
“The beneficiary schools are Ibagwa Community Primary, Nike, Enugu, Francisca Children Academy, Ugbene 2, Enugu, Transekulu Primary School 1, Enugu, Transekulu Primary School 2, Enugu, Aguowa Primary School 1, Enugu.
“We continued the  sensitization  campaign today on radio where a panel of discussants threw more light on the OOSC crisis and to capture attention of the public and the government.”
According to Egbuchiem, NAS aims at empowering communities to sustain local education initiatives aimed at reducing OOSC in their areas.
He noted that the crisis is as real as the numbers from the UNICEF 2025 and UNESCO report that shows that 10.2–18.3 million children are out of school globally and that one in every child that is out of school in the world is a Nigerian.
“That unflattering report is a summary of perhaps what the future is for us and our children,” he said.
Egbuchiem noted that NAS believes that, “the scale of this crisis undermines Nigeria’s ability to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially SDG 4 (Quality Education), which sets out the ambition of ensuring inclusive and equitable education for all.
Meanwhile, among the social reasons that have kept millions of  children in Nigeria out of school are poverty, insecurity, gender inequality, child labour, early marriage, poor infrastructure, and social exclusion.
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