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Okah Tasks RSNC Staff On Hard Work
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Barrister Emma Okah has charged staff of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC) to put in their best in efforts to assist the government reposition the corporation, and make it the best newspaper outfit in the country.
Okah gave the charge in an address at an event to mark the 46th anniversary of RSNC,people’s parliament, end of year party and sendforth ceremony for retired staff from 2015 to date, at the premises of the corporation in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Represented by the Director of Administration in the ministry, Mr Godpower Ordu, the commissioner said that with improved productivity, the corporation would regain its lost glory, and scale-up the circulation of its core product, The Tide, with enhanced visibility and readership.
In his welcome address, General Manager of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of The Tide, Mr. Vincent Ake charged staff to embrace hard-work for handful rewards.
Ake stressed that it was imperative for staff to contribute positively by discharging their duties with humility, devotion and resilience.
The general manager maintained that for any staff to be honoured, such was expected to take a step forward in their place of work, warning that those whose habit was to loiter and idle around the corporation may not be rewarded but may rather be demoted or recommended for sack.
He encouraged staff to always take their jobs seriously by being punctual to work and diligently discharge their assigned responsibilities efficiently.
Ake, who frowned at lateness to work, urged those staff who were not recognized with an award to continue in their quest for higher productivity by making better inputs into the corporation’s scheme of things.
According to him, “When you do better in your units and departments, you deserve nothing but outstanding recognition for a job well done”.
On the award, he stressed that the staff chosen by the committee were nominated based on merit, appealing to those who could not make it this year to redouble their efforts to make the honours’ list next time.
Those who received the award of excellence for the year 2017 in their departments include, Messrs George Awah of Production, John Onyema Wehuje of Finance and Mrs Victoria Karagbara of Editorial Department.
Others are Mr. Baride Nnordam of Business Development and Mrs Cecilia Eke-Amadi of Administration.
Highpoint of the event include presentation of the state of the corporation as well as question and answer session between management and staff.
While giving the toast for long life for the retirees, Director of Publications, Mrs Juliet Njiowhor, thanked them for their meritorious services to the corporation, and advised them not to turn their back on the workers as they would need their wise counsel from time to time to keep the flag flying.
Highpoints of the event were the presentation of awards to five deserving staff as well as memorable gifts to all 26 retired staff of the various departments of the corporation.
Earlier, the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), The Tide Chapel, had last Thursday, honoured eight of its members who have meritoriously retired from the service of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation (RSNC).
The retired staff, who were honoured by the union include Alabo Dagogo Clinton, Chief Sam Nnari, Collins Barasimieye, Rev Soye Young-Itiye, King Osila, Chris Monyanaga, Warisenibo Donald Mike-Jaja and Pastor Ibim Amieyeofori.
Speaking at the sent-forth programme, General Manager of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mr. Vincent Ake tasked the retirees to always maintain good working relationship with the corporation and be ready to render their services when called upon.
The general manager, who regretted that the retirees were some of the best hands in the corporation, added that they were retiring when the corporation needed their services most.
Also speaking, Chairman of NUJ, The Tide Chapel, Mr. Felix Okogbule, recounted the reason for the programme, adding that those who worked hard needed to be honoured and rewarded.
He further commended the retirees for their contributions towards the development and successes recorded by the corporation during their service years, adding that the NUJ under his administration has made numerous achievements.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, the former Director of Production, Alabo Dagogo Clinton thanked the union for the honour done them, adding that they would be willing to support the corporation whenever their services are needed.
“The Tide has come a long way, and needs to be sustained. This calls for the re-training of staff, for improved productivity”, he added.
By: Bethel Sam Toby, Christiana Daniel, Huoma Ojum, Lily Silver & Edwin Agbadaru.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a Federal Executive Council committee to move swiftly on measures to further reduce food prices across the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, disclosed this in Abuja, on Wednesday.
According to him, the directive focuses on ensuring safe passage of farm produce across transport routes to cut logistics costs.
“The President has given a matching order with a Federal Executive Council committee already handling it on how we are going to promote safe passage of agricultural foods and commodities across our various routes in the country,” Abdullahi said at a capacity-building workshop for Senate correspondents.
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Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has faced worsening food insecurity since the removal of fuel subsidy, high transport costs, and insecurity on major highways disrupted the movement of goods.
Despite government interventions, food remains largely unaffordable for millions.
The minister said the plan is tied to Tinubu’s broader vision of food sovereignty—beyond availability to ensure affordability, accessibility, and nutrition on a sustainable basis.
To back this up, he revealed that government is set to roll out a Farmer Soil Health Scheme to boost productivity and a revamped cooperative reform initiative to mobilise resources and empower rural farmers.
“Mr. President has shown tremendous interest in the cooperative sector as a veritable tool for resource mobilisation, for economic activity generation, and to improve the livelihood of members,” Abdullahi added.
The event, with the theme, “Parliamentary Reporting: Issues, Challenges and Responsibilities,” also featured Senate Media Committee Chairman, Senator Yemi Adaramodu; ex-presidential aide, Senator Ita Solomon Enang; and NILDS DG, Prof. Abubakar Sulaiman.
The Federal Government has warned contractors, including foreign firms, that any breach of regulations in road projects awarded to them may lead to arrest by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, issued the warning during an inspection of the ongoing dualisation of the East-West Road (Section IIIA) from Eleme Junction to Onne Port Junction in Rivers State.
The section is being executed by Reynolds Construction Company (Nigeria) Limited.
Responding to questions from journalists, Umahi commended the quality of work on the project but expressed displeasure over the slow pace, stressing that the December completion deadline remains sacrosanct.
On the project, he said:“The quality of the work is excellent, but the pace of work is totally unacceptable. Let me make it very clear to the contractor that this project will neither be reviewed nor varied in price or claims.
“I’m sure we have issued over 10 warning letters to them. If they fail to comply with the completion deadline of December 15, we will not extend it.”
He added that the ministry had already put measures in place to enforce compliance
“The comptroller has negative certificates to issue, and I will recover the money from any of their other projects. All those letters are on record, and when the time comes, they will be invoked. Any contractor who refuses to abide by regulations will have the EFCC and ICPC to contend with,” he said.
Umahi further disclosed that the Federal Government had directed that road projects valued below N20bn would no longer be awarded to expatriate companies, in line with its “Nigeria First” policy aimed at strengthening indigenous capacity in the construction sector.
“This is part of the Nigeria First policy of the Federal Government. Henceforth, no expatriate firm will be awarded any project valued below N20bn. Such projects must go to indigenous companies, while expatriates focus on higher-value projects requiring more technical capacity,” he said.
The minister also noted that the Federal Ministry of Works had adopted a funding prioritisation framework to sustain road projects initially financed by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited under the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme.
He stressed that President Bola Tinubu had directed that none of such projects should be abandoned, adding that priority would be given to critical economic corridors.
Umahi also decried the indiscriminate parking of heavy-duty vehicles on highways, saying it was damaging the pavements of completed sections of the road.
He said letters would be sent to state governors and the Inspector-General of Police to enforce punitive measures against defaulters.
Earlier, the Federal Controller of Works in Rivers State, Mrs Enwereama Tarilade, said RCC had completed 15km of the right carriageway and commenced work on the left carriageway, with one kilometre already laid in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement.
The Rivers State Government says it will ensure the smooth and successful takeoff of the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), in Ogoniland.
This commitment was made yesterday by the Administrator of Rivers State, Retired Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), during a courtesy visit by the university’s Governing Council and Management team at the Government House, in Port Harcourt.
The high-level delegation was led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Council, Professor Don Baridam and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedu Mmom.
In his address, Administrator Ibas warmly congratulated the pioneer council and management on their appointments, describing their task as both a recognition of individual accomplishment and a historic call to duty.
“This is not just a recognition of your personal achievements but also a call to history to shape an institution that will have a profound impact on Rivers State, the Niger Delta, and indeed our country,” he stated.
The Administrator commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the establishment of the specialized university in Ogoniland, describing the initiative as “timely and strategic.”
He emphasized that the university’s presence offers a critical opportunity to drive research, innovation, and community-focused solutions to the region’s pressing environmental and developmental challenges.
He further noted that the university’s core focus aligns perfectly with the priorities of his administration.“We consider this university not merely as another institution of higher learning but as a strategic partner in our collective effort to rebuild Rivers State under the ongoing state of emergency and beyond,” he affirmed.
Responding to specific requests presented by the delegation, Administrator Ibas assured the university of immediate support in critical areas essential for the its commencement.
These include the provision of operational vehicles, key facilities, and the completion of the access road to the campus, adding that other vital needs, such as perimeter fencing, refuse disposal, and the issuance of a Certificate of Occupancy, would be addressed within the framework of the state’s broader infrastructure and support programmes.
To ensure swift action, the Administrator directed the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) to work closely with the university’s Governing Council to prioritize the sequence of requests, particularly those tied to the commencement of academic activities in September 2025.
“Let me assure you that Rivers State Government will stand as a dependable partner to the Federal University of Environment and Technology. We see this university as part of our long-term investment in knowledge, innovation, and the future of our youths,” he emphasized.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Professor Don Baridam, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and community development.
He disclosed that the Federal Government has directed the institution to formally commence its academic session in September 2025, adding that preparations are in full swing to ensure a smooth take-off with adequate infrastructure and resources in place.
“Today’s meeting marks the beginning of a strategic partnership between the Rivers State Government and FUET, envisioned to establish the university as a premier hub for research, innovation, and sustainable development in the Niger Delta”, he said.