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The Shaking House Of Intellect
A recent news about the dismissal of an academic staff in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, came a few days after a press release by the management of Rivers State University about a similar dismissal of a professor. Certainly, such dismissals must have been preceded by a thorough internal inquiry into allegations of some wrong doing. Hopefully, such inquiries must also have followed the rule of fair hearing and opportunity for an appeal. By the house of intellect, the mind of the reader should please go far beyond tertiary and other institutions of learning where intellectual quibbling pass for the search for truth. As a matter of truth, intellectual culture is a movement which began long ago and whose mission has been to confine and narrow down the scope of perception of humanity. High priests of that movement or culture were the custodians of various responsible for their propagation, truth-wise. Therefore, the house of intellect has many posts and mansions, ranging from academia, monarchy, the ecclesia, the arena of macho-men and the party or profession of death. There are those whose mission is not towards the enhancement of life, but the elimination of those who express contrary views from what the house and culture of intellect had erected as absolute truth. Historically the war of supremacy initiated by the high priests of the intellectual culture had its bloodiest arena in religious movements and proselytism. Readers who may be interested in this line of inquiry, including what horrors humanity had experienced in the past, are enjoined to read The Spanish Inquisition by Jean Plaidy (1978). Similarly, the Crusades or military expeditions between 1096 and 1272 sought to recover the “Holy Land” from the Moslems. History of horrors! Humanity did not experience only history of horrors arising from intolerance, but more of a tyrannical movement to keep the minds of humans as narrow as possible via instruments of fear and intimidation. Such movement of horror and mind control did not begin with Emperor Nero of ancient Roman civilization, neither did it end with Adolf Hitler of Nazi Germany. The Dark Continent of Africa had untold stories of village tyrants and flesh-eating macho-men. Today, emphasis tends to be focused on our institutions of learning, with “sorting, extortion of money and sex for grades” as deadly sins and signs of ultimate debauchery. But these are merely some of the visible evidence of the manifestations of movement of the intellectual culture. This unfortunate trend was enthroned a long time ago and it gradually took roots in the human mind with attendant expressions in actions, attitudes and value orientations. Hardly is anyone left out, except that hypocrisy is a ready camouflage.
Effects of the slow poison of the excrescences of the intellectual culture play out in the enthronement of tyranny and intolerance of contrary views. From the home, to national and international settings, there is the adoration and adulation of precocity or intellectual smartness. Parents take pride in showing off precocious children who become more clever than their grand parents. There begins the shaking of the house of intellect. At a certain time in Nigerian university system, there arose a policy that lecturers without PhD, degrees would be weeded out of the system. At the back of that policy were some dark and myopic motives. For example, Professor Wole Soyinka was not known to hold a PhD Certificate and there were many professors with only first degree, but were role models. In the good old days, professorship was determined by the fact that a university don had some value, ideal or value-added knowledge to profess to humanity. But later-day intellectual heroes and militants, discovered and spread the ideal that big certificates and appellations were synonymous with character, knowledge and productivitiy. Thus began another stage in the shaking of the house of intellect. Money is known to be an able soldier and so powerful that where it steps in, all roads would lie open. For those who have not heard, known or believed, big certificates can be bought and sold, not only in Toronto but in any back-house of intellect. Current stage in the shaking and spoiling trend via intellectual sagacity takes the form of putting square pegs in round holes. By this is meant wrong and corrupt deployment of human talents, skills and abilities where they do not belong or fit in most. Faces of corrupt practices feature where those who should engage in something else become educators and politicians. The result is the abuses of power. Shakespeare would say that humanity is still deceived with ornaments; but have there not been stories of clergy-men eating pepper-soup make with placenta of a woman seven hours after birth? Since eaves dropping and electronic capturing of dark, secret deeds have become popular pranks, Nigerians can expect more shocking revelations. By the way, walls have ears and no deed remains hidden forever! But many believe their sins are hidden! There are individuals and organisations with records and evidence of shocking deeds but who, for security reasons, would not let the cat out o f the bag. It is needful also that Nigerians be cautious of wearing the garb of hypocrisy, in spite of the prevailing culture of sanctimony. The shaking house of intellect will throw up more debris and scum that would be more putrid than we would tolerate. The shaking has begun. From the university system, the shaking would extend that harbour the intellectual virus.
Bright Amirize
The Rivers State Government has distributed science equipment and materials to all senior secondary schools across the state to support students during the ongoing West African Examinations Council exams and to strengthen practical learning.
Flagging off the distribution at the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board premises in Port Harcourt, on Monday, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, said the move demonstrates Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s commitment to improving education standards in the State.
Nwagor said the materials were approved and provided by the state government specifically to boost the teaching and learning of science subjects, describing science education as the foundation for technological advancement, innovation, and national development.
“No society can compete globally without deliberate investment in science and technology,” the Commissioner stated.
He commended the governor for consistently prioritising the education sector by providing tools needed for effective teaching and hands-on learning.
The Commissioner directed principals to ensure that the equipment are used strictly for practical lessons in their schools, warning that any principal or administrator found diverting, hoarding, or selling the materials wil face disciplinary action under public service regulations.
Nwagor also warned against examination malpractice, saying any principal found aiding or encouraging malpractices will be decisively sanctioned.
“We must collectively restore the dignity and credibility of our educational system,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman, Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board, Tony Egwurugwu, urged school heads to make judicious use of the materials for students’ benefit.
He thanked the State Government for providing the resources, and assured that monitoring mechanisms would be put in place to ensure the materials serve their intended purpose.
In his own remarks, a Board Member for Technical Education, Nwisabari Bani Samuel, expressed appreciation to the governor for prioritising education and acknowledged the Commissioner’s role in advancing education development in the State.
He said the distribution covers all senior secondary schools in the State and is intended to improve students’ performance in both internal and external science examinations.
Akujobi Amadi
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has commended workers in the State for their resilience, dedication, and invaluable contributions to development in the State.
Fubara gave the commendation during the 2026 Workers’ Day celebration at Isaac Boro Park in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Represented by his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, the governor noted that Workers’ Day, which originated from the struggle for an eight-hour workday in the United States, has evolved into a global event recognising the contributions of workers to national growth and development.
He described workers as the backbone of sustainable development, saying no society can thrive without their efforts.
Fubara commended Rivers workers for their loyalty and commitment to service, noting that workers play vital roles across key sectors, including education, healthcare, infrastructure and industry.
He noted that their contributions have enhanced access to quality education and healthcare, supported job creation, and stimulated economic activities across the State.
While acknowledging the economic challenges faced by many workers, including the rising cost of living, Fubara assured that the the State Government remains committed to implementing policies that will enhance workers’ welfare and overall well-being.
The governor also hailed the bold and daring economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu which, he said, have stabilized the economy, enhanced foreign exchange liquidity, lowered inflation, and achieved significant growth in the nation’s gross domestic product.
He noted that, in addition to raising the minimum wage, the President recently approved new welfare incentives for federal civil servants.
“Our economy is on an unstoppable positive path under our President, and it can only improve further for the nation and everyone. Let us continue supporting the policies and programmes of Mr President,” he said.
Fubara highlighted the importance of workers in revenue generation and governance, noting that taxes paid by workers enable government to provide security and essential social services.
He reaffirmed the State Government’s recognition of labour as a critical partner in achieving its development blueprint, appreciating workers’ daily contributions to building a peaceful, secure, and prosperous Rivers State.
The governor urged the organised labour to use the occasion to reaffirm its commitment to the progress of the State, while continuing to advocate for democracy, social justice, and improved welfare for workers.
He also expressed gratitude to workers for their service to the State and the nation, encouraging them to remain steadfast in their contributions to development.
In his address, the State Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Comrade Alex Agwanwor, commended Fubara for his steadfastness, genuine commitment, and passion for workers in the State.
He highlighted key achievements of the administration, including the implementation of the National Minimum Wage Act, the renovation of the State Secretariat, the reopening of the Rivers State Transport Company (RTC), and the consistent payment of end-of-year bonuses to public workers.
Comrade Agwanwor noted that workers, as drivers of productivity, understand the challenges involved in building a prosperous Rivers State, stressing that they are well-equipped to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the State.
“We have resolved not to continue complaining and lamenting while challenges persist. Instead, we must take the initiative, step out of relative obscurity, and rediscover the mission and destiny of our dear state,” he said.
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Fubara Pledges Support For Corporate Organisations In Rivers …Says PPP Business Model Responsible For NLNG’s Success
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged the continued support of his administration for the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Limited.
Fubara gave the assurance while receiving the new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the NLNG, Mr Adeleye Falade, who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
He assured that his administration would continue to contribute its own quota in support of the NLNG.
According to him, the success of the organisation is equally the success of the government of Rivers State and the success of the Federal Government.
“Our duty is to make sure that we support whoever is operating in our state. We are the ones here. If we don’t support you and you don’t succeed, we also will not succeed and Mr President will also not succeed.
“So, the success of your establishment is the success of our state, and overall success of Nigeria. So you can count on our support. Wherever you think we need to come in to support you, please do not hesitate to call upon us.
“You just mentioned here that your predecessor left a handover note showcasing the level of support that he got from the state. It is not going to be different in your own case. I can assure you that. I will also ensure that other units of the government will liaise with you when necessary. So even if you can’t get to me, you can always get to them and if there is anything we can do to help your establishment succeed, we will do it for you,” he said.
The governor attributed the success of the NLNG to the Public Private Partnership ( PPP) business model adopted by the Federal Government and the multinational oil companies.
The NLNG is jointly owned by Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) with 49%, Shell Gas B.V. with 25.6%, Total LNG Nigeria Ltd with 15%, and Eni International with 10.4%.
The partnership model allows for shared risks, costs, and expertise in the LNG sector.
The governor noted that the NLNG has not only survived the difficult business environment but has made sustained progress in the nearly three decades of its existence.
According to him, the decision of the Federal Government to allow the multinational oil companies who have the needed expertise to run the establishment while government plays a supervisory role over it has largely been responsible for its success.
“I’m very proud to say that if there is one establishment that has shown resilience, that has survived in the face of all the political issues prevalent in this country, it is the NLNG. And what is the reason? The reason is very simple. Government has no business in business. That is the truth. Leave the business for those people who can operate it. Let the government play its supervisory role to ensure that there is compliance with the laws; ensure that standards are maintained and also ensure that the right people with the needed expertise are at the helm of affairs. That’s all. I think that is the reason why we still record a lot of successes in NLNG,” he said.
In his opening remark, the new NLNG boss, Mr Adeleye Falade, who led other top officials of the company on the visit, expressed appreciation to the governor for granting them audience, and appealed to the State Government to continue to support the organisation.
“We appreciate the opportunity to meet with you and deepen this important relationship.We deeply value the support the Rivers State Government continues to extend in fostering an enabling operating environment for businesses. NLNG remains deliberate in its contribution to Nigeria’s development, and Rivers State, our primary host, continues to be central to that commitment,” he said.
Falade said the company has continued to work with its host communities to strengthen their capacity to identify, prioritise, and deliver sustainable development initiatives that create lasting impact.
According to him, communities including Amadi-ama, Abua, Ekpeye, Okrika, Kalabari, and Emohua have continued to benefit from this model.
He said that beyond community infrastructure, the NLNG has sustained investments in economic empowerment through initiatives such as Vocational Innovation and Business Empowerment Scheme (VIBES) and Micro Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) schemes.
These, he said, were designed to support small businesses, build capacity, and stimulate local enterprise across the state.
Among officials of the company who accompanied the Managing Director were General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr Sophia Horsfall; Manager, Government Relations, Mr Abdul Umar; Manager, Community Relations, Dr. Yemi Adeyemi; Head of Government Relations, Mr Mike Igoni; Head of Community Liaison and Engagement, Chief Ifeanyi Umeh.
Others are Technical Assistant to Executive Leadership, Mr Hassan Saleh; Senior Media and Publicity Advisor, Mr Emma Nwatu; Government Relations Advisor, Miss Homa Nmegbu; Senior Government Relations Advisor, Mrs Kate Allison, and Audio -Visual Advisor, Mr Dawood Ahmed.