Rivers

Christmas Celebration: PH Residents Bemoan Cash Crunch

Published

7 years ago

December 25, 2018

Today is Christmas Day.
It is another opportunity to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. As expected, the atmosphere is electric. The mad rush is noticeable everywhere. Human and vehicular movement is unprecedented in Port Harcourt.There are desperate attempts by residents to meet the expectations of family members and loved ones. This is because love is in the air. In the midst of all these, our correspondent combed the Garden City to find out how the residents feel about today.
Excerpts:

Mrs Chibuzor Martins, food stuff dealer
This year’s Christmas, it’s well oh! I don’t see anything serious about the Christmas this year. People have been complaining, even workers, they say no money is flowing in the system. Workers are lamenting that even the salary when paid is not enough because they have incurred debts that need to be settled before the salary arrives.
There is very low patronage this year than other years. This year what I experienced instead of sales is people coming to ask about the price of things, but they don’t come back to buy them again. Look at it now, today is December 24th and yet no sales.
I wonder when we are going to sell out all these goods we have bought and hoping to sell them this Christmas. There is really nothing to show about this year’s Christmas, but we have hope for a better tomorrow.
We would still celebrate Christ’s birth as it remains the reason for the season, so whether sales, or no sales we would still celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ because His coming is the reason why we are alive.

Mrs Doris David, business woman
Christmas is a season to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, so whether there is money, or no money, we must thank God for life because there are many people in the hospital who have money, but cannot celebrate the Christmas.
As the Federal Government has declared Tuesday, 25th, Wednesday, 26th December, 2018 and Tuesday, 1st January, 2019 as public holidays to mark the Christmas, Boxing Day and New Year celebrations respectively, we must take advantage of these public holidays to enjoy ourselves while we are alive.
It would be recalled that the Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Bello Dambazau, had made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement signed by the ministry’s Director of Press, Mohammed Manga last Wednesday evening.
This is a period when Christians should think and reflect on God’s gift for us and so I want all Christian faithful in Nigeria to use this period in praying earnestly for the betterment and development of our country, Nigeria.
While I also expect that the Federal Government make life comfortable for Nigerians because there is serious hunger in the country and almost all businesses in Nigeria can no longer thrive with the harsh economic system in the country.

Mrs Amaka Shefiu, provision dealer
This Christmas, there is nothing to show for it because up to this time, there is no customer to buy our goods. We are just managing by the grace of God. There is no money, people are complaining of no money.
By this time last year, we sold reasonably although it cannot be compared to sales we made last three years. If it were during the Jonathan administration, by this time, we would have packaged goods for customers to use as souvenirs but this year, not even one person has asked that we wrap gifts for them to use as souvenirs.
This year is the worst year I have ever witnessed in my Christmas sales as there is a very high decline in our sales.

Augustine Eze, mason worker Christmas is very hard to me as there was no money anywhere despite the hard labour I am doing. My family has no food and we cannot travel home for Christmas like we did last year.
During the President Goodluck Jonathan administration, there was enough money in my hand and me and my family members travelled home on time for Christmas and New Year, but this year, it’s very difficult for me to see food to put on the table for my family members.
I am very hard working and ready to do any menial jobs, but I will work and no money to pay me for it.
I am not happy at all because I have never celebrated the birth of Jesus Christ without money. I cannot buy Christmas clothes for my children and wife and they are not happy too.

Pastor Kingsley Munachim
This Christmas is very good because it brings life to me, my family and the entire world. This is why I said the Christmas is very good whether there is money or not.
I am grateful that I am alive because there are many people who are on the hospital bed now and they cannot see the brightness of the day, but I am sound and healthy enjoying this Christmas harmattan, so I give God all the glory.

Nwibari Dick, newspaper vendor
There is nothing to celebrate about this Christmas. All I am looking for is money to settle some outstanding demands confronting my family this season. I am struggling to make ends meet, yet, it is as if I am doing nothing. I want the local, state and the Federal Governments to find a way to provide jobs for the people, so that it would go a long way in ameliorating the suffering of the people.

Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Rivers

Technology Key to Nigeria’s Socio-Economic Development, Says Computer Scientist

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

Dr. Legborsi Emmanuel, former state Chairman of the Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), has emphasized that technology is the sure way for Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

He made this assertion while speaking with newsmen at the sideline of 118th inaugural lecture series of Rivers State University (RSU) held in port Harcourt, wednesday.

He stressed that the lecture, which focused on emerging technology and its impact on the socio-economic development of the country, aligns with the NCS’s economic focus.

He highlighted the importance of building an economy driven by technology, citing the success of the Rivers State Smart Economy policy as an example.

The computer scientist emphasized the need for innovation and doing things differently, asserting that “technology is the only way out” for Nigeria’s development. He praised the lecturer, Professor Mathias Daniel, for exploring the applications of technology in various sectors, including agriculture, industry, transport, and socio-economics.

Dr. Emmanuel underscores the critical role technology plays in driving socio-economic growth and development in Nigeria by leveraging technology, the country can unlock new opportunities and address pressing challenges.

Akujobi Amadi

City Crime

Association Raises Alarm Over Increasing Migration Of Young Pharmacists Abroad

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia (NAPA) has called on the Federal Government to urgently address the growing shortage of academic pharmacists in the country.

National Chairperson of NAPA, Prof. Catherine Stanley, made the appeal during the opening of the 23rd Annual National Scientific Conference of NAPA, held at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), midweek.

The event had as its theme: “Pharmacy Practice in the New Global Economy: Education, Technology and Collaborations”.

Stanley attributed the shortage of pharmacists to increasing migration of young professionals to Europe and North America in search of better opportunities.

She described pharmacists in academia as “an endangered species”, citing their migration to foreign countries and the lack of replacements for retirees and deceased colleagues.

“There is an acute shortage of needed manpower in critical sectors of pharmacy education. This trend should not be allowed to continue”, she pleaded.

Stanley urged the government to prioritise the welfare of academic pharmacists to ensure sustainability in pharmaceutical education and research.

According to her, the current situation poses a threat to the future of pharmacy training and healthcare delivery in Nigeria.

In a keynote address, Prof. Charles Esimone, a former Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Enugu, attributed the dearth of pharmacists to new global challenges confronting the profession.

Discussing the theme of the conference, Esimone noted that the world was more interconnected than ever, and blamed globalisation for some of the difficulties facing the education sector.

He stressed the need to balance local requirements with a global outlook.

“This realisation has fuelled a push towards purposeful best practices in curriculum development, faculty exchanges, and addressing regulatory issues across borders.

“Our curricula must train pharmacists to be effective both locally and globally, ably to understand local health traditions while applying international standards”, he said.

Esimone explained that the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) and other global bodies have been working on developing a Global Competency Framework to harmonise pharmacist training worldwide.

He said the goal was to align education with the competences required to deliver essential services in any country.

He also highlighted the impact of advances in technology, which are revolutionising every aspect of pharmacy practice from dispensing processes to patient counselling, noting that the pace of change was accelerating.

“Pharmacists have increasingly embraced digital health tools, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance their services.

“However, technology in pharmacy is a double-edged sword, it can greatly enhance our practice, but must be wielded with care”, he warned.

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, called on pharmacists in the academia to adopt practical and innovative approaches that would transform pharmacy education and practice in Nigeria.

Represented by the institution’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Chukwudi Onyeasor, Georgewill urged practitioners to move beyond theoretical discourse, embrace technology, strengthen collaborations, and align pharmacy with global standards.

“This is necessary to produce professionals who are equipped to serve a rapidly evolving healthcare system”, he concluded.

The Tide reports that the conference brought together pharmacists, researchers, educators, and policymakers from across the country to discuss innovations and strategies for advancing pharmaceutical practice in Nigeria.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

Ikwerre Traditional Rulers Urge Council Chairmen On Unity, Development

Published

4 days ago

September 12, 2025

The Tide

The Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognised Traditional Rulers has advised the chairmen of the four Ikwerre-speaking Local Government Areas in the State to embrace unity, collaboration, and community-centred governance as the basis for sustainable development across the region.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Chairman and Secretary of the body on behalf of the forum, the Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom (Eze Woji XII), HM Prof. Leslie N. Eke, Eze Gbakagbaka, and Nye Nwe Ali Omerelu, HRH, Eze (Engr.) Ben O. Ugo, Elumoha VIII, respectively, at the end of its monthly meeting held at Atali, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Saturday.

The Forum, in the statement, said it was compelled to address the need for synergy between political leadership and traditional institutions in Ikwerre land.

It specifically addressed the chairmen of Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt City, Ikwerre, and Emohua Local Government Areas, urging them to pursue policies that reflect the collective interest of the Ikwerre people.

“It is no longer acceptable for each council chairman to operate in isolation. We are one people, with shared history, culture, and destiny. Our political leaders must not forget that their strength lies in unity”, the statement read.

The royal fathers expressed concern over what they called “political fragmentation” among Ikwerre leaders, warning that failure to close ranks could hinder future development initiatives and diminish the influence of the Ikwerre ethnic group in the state’s political landscape.

They also called for regular inter-council meetings to harmonise development strategies, share best practices, and address cross-boundary issues such as insecurity, youth restiveness, and infrastructural decay.

The Forum further cautioned the chairmen against sidelining traditional rulers in the administration of grassroots affairs, noting that many local councils were taking major community decisions without due consultation.

“Traditional rulers are not political spectators. We are custodians of our people’s values and should be engaged on issues that affect our communities”, the Forum stressed.

The monarchs urged the council bosses to invest more in youth empowerment, skill acquisition, and educational programmes to reduce unemployment and the lure of criminal activities among young people in the area.

They decried the increasing rate of cult-related violence, drug abuse, and communal clashes in parts of Ikwerre land, calling for joint security task forces supported by the local councils in collaboration with traditional institutions.

“Security cannot be left to the state government alone. The councils must take the lead in creating safe environments for commerce, learning, and peaceful living”, the statement noted.

In addition, the Forum advised against the politicisation of development projects, warning that no community should be denied infrastructural development due to perceived political affiliations or past voting patterns.

“The mandate of the council chairmen is to serve all constituents without discrimination. The people are watching, and posterity will judge”, it stated.

The Forum also proposed the institution of an annual “Ikwerre Unity and Development Summit” to bring together traditional rulers, elected officials, youth leaders, women groups, and civil society organisations to chart a common course for the ethnic nation.

While congratulating the chairmen over their electoral victory, the traditional rulers reaffirmed their commitment to working with them and the State Government to promote peace, cultural preservation, and inclusive development in Ikwerre land.

King Onunwor