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

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.

Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.

He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.

“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.

“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.

In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.

The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.

Rivers

IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.

It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.

Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.

The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.

It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..

The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.

Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”

In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.

He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.

Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .

In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.

Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.

Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation

Published

4 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.

Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.

“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.

He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.

According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.

Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.

Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.

The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.

He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.

On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.

They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.

King Onunwor