Rivers

Stakeholders Laud POTAF’s Scholarship Scheme

Published

9 years ago

January 9, 2017

Stakeholders in Rivers State have lauded the spirit behind the Professor Owen Tam Adikibi Foundation (POTAF) scholarship scheme aimed at improving human capacity, especially in core science-related fields to help transform the state.
The Tide reports that POTAF was officially launched last December 30, at Kalio-Ama, Okrika Local Government Area, with the presentation of full-funded undergraduate scholarships to two indigent students of the state to study Electrical and Petroleum Engineering at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt.
Speaking as special guest at the award ceremony, Amanyanabo of Ogoloma, King Emmanuel Tamunoigbeinbia, lauded Adikibi’s wisdom, having been inspired, particularly by the Shell Petroleum Development Company’s pioneering scholarship scheme as part of efforts to complement government drive to boost educational development in the Niger Delta, and tasked others to emulate the initiative to move the region forward.
POTAF Chairman, Dr Tonye Adikibi, said the foundation was proud to be part of efforts to lift Rivers sons and daughters out of ignorance and poverty, by empowering them academically to contribute to the development of Okrika, Rivers State and nation, adding that the initiative was a quantum leap in the history of the state.
He challenged other well-meaning individuals and philanthropic organisations to borrow a leaf from the core values and principles of the Adikibi Foundation, and impact positively on the society. POTAF Secretary, Hanson Toby, said the foundation has articulated sound initiatives to enhance the educational advancement of the state, and expressed appreciation to the Amanyanabo of Ogoloma Kingdom, King Emmanuel Tamunoigbeinbia, and other stakeholders for their support to the foundation since its inception in January, 2015.
Toby assured that with their encouragement and the full participation of science-inclined young and brilliant Rivers sons and daughters in secondary schools across the country, more will benefit from the scheme in the coming years.
In her speech, POTAF Administration Manager, Ibiene Kalio, assured a transparent and credible the selection process for intending beneficiaries of the foundation’s undergraduate scholarships, and advised Rivers youth in secondary schools to work harder to surpass Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) cut off points, as better days await them thereafter under the scheme.
Chairman of the occasion, Sir Eli Kalio, thanked POTAF for contributing to the educational development of Okrika LGA, and the state, and encouraged parents and guardians to ensure that their wards pay more serious attention to their studies by focusing more on how best to advance their careers rather than loafing around aimlessly and constituting nuisance to the society.
Kalio particularly congratulated the founder of POTAF for accepting the challenge and fulfilling the promise he made in 2015, and enjoined other well-meaning citizens of the state to take a cue from the POTAF founder so that the society can be a peaceful and better place for all to co-exist.
Also speaking, one of the recipients of the award, who hails from Ogoloma Community, Miss Dagogo Ibierembo Ebenezer, praised the transparent selection process, saying that she did not have to know or lobby anybody to be selected for the scholarship, having met the criteria for participation with excellent.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.

Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.

The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.

National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.

Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.

He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.

Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.

On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.

Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.

She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.

Seminitari was later presented an award.

New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.

There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.

By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.

In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.

They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.

According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.

The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.

They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.

Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.

They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.

Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.

Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.

The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.

The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.

By; King Onunwor

Rivers

NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.

President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.

The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.

According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.

The President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.

He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.

According to Osigwe, the nation was witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.

The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.

Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.

“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.

The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.

Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.

The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.

Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.

By; King Onunwor