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Belemaoil Constructs 50-Bed Space Hostel At UNIPORT
In a bid to address the problem of inadequate hostel accommodation in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions and to reduce the danger associated with off-campus residential accommodation, indigenous oil giant Belemaoil Producing Limited has commenced the construction of 50-bed space hostel at the University of Port-Harcourt.
This is coming barely two months after the signing of the contract for the building of the three floor 50-Bed Space Hostel being executed in collaboration with the Jack-Rich Tein Aid Foundation and Belema Aid Foundation.
The Founder/President of Belemaoil, Mr. Tein T.S. Jack-Rich said the need to provide suitable accommodation for Nigerian students in tertiary institutions and to reduce the hazards facing students who reside off-campus necessitated the gesture.
Mr. Jack-Rich, represented by the Director, Production and Engineering, Belemaoil Producing Ltd, Engr. Mufaa Welsh, said the company is committed to ensuring that majority of Nigerian students in tertiary institutions reside on campus for enhance academic excellence.
He said this would address the problem of insecurity, social vices, poor academic performance, exorbitant off-campus accommodation, high cost of transportation amongst other challenges facing students who reside off-campus.
Engr. Welsh said “We have seen what students are going through and we say we need to lessen the burden on them by asking them to come into the university. Our interest is to ensure that in the next five years 90 percent of students of this university reside on campus, by so doing they will have more concentration, they will lean more and interact with themselves, interact with lectures and other people within the campus community and not to be involve in criminality or social vices. The wish of our Founder and President is that this is accomplished, it is in the course of this that we decided to start erecting buildings for students”
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port-Harcourt, Professor Ndowa Lale said the project which comes barely three months to the end of his tenure is timely.
He expressed appreciation to the management of Belemaoil and assured that the Hostel would be well utilized when completed.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Education Chukwuemeka Nwajiuba who was represented at the occasion by his Special Assistant on Policy and Political Matters, Paul Odili decried the lack of hostel accommodation in Nigeria’s tertiary institutions.
The Minister said “There is truly a crying need for hostel accommodation in Nigeria tertiary schools. Available data show that over 75 percent of the entire Nigerian students’ population live off-campus in sometimes insecure and inhospitable environment not conducive for learning. Unfortunately there are not many corporate outfits making a non-profit intervention in Hostel Accommodation in the country, this should change. Hopefully the great gesture by Belemaoil will be emulated by other corporate entities to make it a norm”.
The Minister while congratulating the management of the University of Port-Harcourt for attracting the project, commended Belemaoil for what he described as beautiful and exemplary gesture.
Also speaking, the Manager External Relations of Belemaoil, Samuel Abel-Jumbo identified accommodation as a critical need of every student in tertiary institution. He said the gesture would be extended by the company to other tertiary institutions in parts of the country.
Mr. Jumbo said, “Education is a priority to Belemaoil Corporate Social Responsibility. This is a demonstration of our inclination towards supporting Nigerian students. We identified the University of Port-Harcourt as one of the institutions that we are going to start with in terms of extending our Corporate Social Responsibility to, and that is why we are here today to carry out this Ground Breaking Ceremony. We identified the fact that accommodation is very critical to students need, we also identified the fact that in UNIPORT it is even more critical. Being an Indigenous oil producing company with our Head Office and Operational Office here in Rivers State, Port-Harcourt, University of Port-Harcourt falls within our primary host target in terms of such Corporate Social Responsibility, so that is why we are here. We will be doing this across the country as much as possible as we try to reach out to other parts of Nigeria”.
The project is expected to be completed in four months and would be dedicated to the graduate students of the university.
The Rivers State Government has commended the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) for its outstanding contributions to the development of Rivers State, particularly in the areas of peacebuilding, education, healthcare, and moral development.
Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, stated that the Church has remained a dependable partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, moral discipline, and social harmony across society.
The Governor, who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, made the remarks during the thanksgiving service marking the 30th Anniversary and First Session of the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Niger Delta North, held at St. Peter’s Anglican Church on Sunday.
Governor Fubara described the Synod’s theme, “Kingdom Advancement: The Priority of Every Believer,” as timely and relevant, considering the prevailing realities in society.
According to him, the Church continues to play a vital role in shaping societal values and inspiring hope among citizens.
“The Church remains a vital partner in promoting peace, unity, justice, and moral discipline. Its role in shaping values and inspiring hope cannot be overemphasized,” he stated.
The Governor further acknowledged the Anglican Communion’s contributions in education, healthcare delivery, youth empowerment, humanitarian services, and spiritual guidance across communities in Rivers State.
“The Rivers State Government appreciates the invaluable contributions of the Anglican Communion in education, healthcare, youth development, humanitarian support, and spiritual guidance. Your impact across communities in Rivers State continues to strengthen families and promote peaceful coexistence among our people,” he added.
Governor Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building a peaceful, united, and prosperous Rivers State where all citizens can thrive irrespective of religion, ethnicity, or social background.
He also urged the Synod to continue praying for sustainable development and progress in Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
Earlier in his sermon, the Guest Minister, Joseph Olushola, spoke on the topic, “Kingdom Investment and Internal Rewards,” urging Christians to remain faithful stewards of God’s blessings and committed to advancing God’s kingdom through service and generosity.
The cleric emphasized that believers are custodians of the virtues and resources entrusted to them by God, stressing that divine rewards are based on faithfulness and impact rather than material possessions.
The Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, in partnership with the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN), has reaffirmed support for efforts to expand gas distribution infrastructure in Rivers State as part of initiatives aimed at improving access to affordable, cleaner and more reliable energy for industries across the South-South region.
The commitment was highlighted during the SNG–MAN Business Forum held in Port Harcourt, where stakeholders from the industrial and public sectors examined the role of natural gas in driving industrialisation, boosting local production and strengthening energy security.
Speaking at the forum on behalf of the Managing Director of Shell Nigeria Gas Limited, the company’s Head of Gas Distribution, Mr. Chukwuka Amos Ejesi, described natural gas as a critical component of Nigeria’s energy mix and a key driver of sustainable industrial growth.
According to him, Nigeria’s gas development agenda has reached a stage where policy direction must be matched with practical implementation capable of addressing the energy challenges confronting manufacturers.
He noted that pipeline gas offers industries a cleaner, more dependable and cost-effective energy alternative capable of supporting uninterrupted operations, reducing emissions and improving production efficiency.
“Gas is the backbone of manufacturing, and we are encouraged by the growing recognition among stakeholders of the need for cleaner and more reliable energy solutions,” he said.
Ejesi stressed the need for sustained collaboration among energy providers, government institutions and industrial stakeholders to maximise the country’s gas resources for economic development.
He added that improved gas infrastructure would strengthen manufacturing value chains, enhance productivity and promote more competitive industrial operations across Rivers State and the wider South-South region.
Participants at the forum also emphasised the importance of expanding energy infrastructure as a pathway to unlocking industrial capacity, reducing operating costs and promoting sustainable industrial development.
Representing Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the Director-General of the Rivers State Investment Promotion Agency, Dr. Chamberlain Peterside, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to partnering with private sector investors to revitalise industrial activities in the state.
He identified key projects targeted under the initiative to include the revival of the Ahoada Industrial Park, the New Port City project and the proposed Bonny Industrial Park, all aimed at stimulating economic growth and expanding industrial opportunities along the Bonny corridor.
According to the governor, the long-term vision is to position Rivers State as a leading manufacturing hub in Southern Nigeria through strategic public-private partnerships.
Governor Fubara also commended Shell Nigeria Gas and MAN for sustaining engagements geared towards improving industrial energy access, noting that gas infrastructure development remains central to the state’s economic recovery plans.
He further observed that the gas sector presents enormous opportunities for economic growth, especially as global energy systems continue to shift towards cleaner energy sources.
The governor called on stakeholders to work collectively towards developing a practical and sustainable gas framework capable of supporting the state’s industrial and energy development objectives.
By; Kevin Nengia
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has charged newlywed couples to build their marriages on the virtues of love and submission as taught in the Word of God.
Prof. Odu gave the charge at the wedding ceremony of Amblessed Favour Sunny-Cookey and Samson Jesuganji at Lifegate Power Ministries, Dominion Cathedral, in Port Harcourt on Saturday, 16th May 2026.
The Deputy Governor congratulated the couple on beginning a new phase of life together and prayed for God’s blessings upon their union, noting that the couple had been raised by godly parents and encouraged them to uphold the Christian values instilled in them.
Referring to the sermon delivered during the ceremony, Prof. Odu emphasized that the principles of love and submission remain fundamental to a successful marriage.
According to her, genuine love reflects the nature of God, stressing that love should remain the foundation of the couple’s relationship as they journey through life together.
Prof. Odu further prayed for enduring peace, happiness, and progress in the home, expressing confidence that the marriage would continue to flourish under God’s guidance.
The Deputy Governor also commended the families of the couple for their support and upbringing, while urging the newlyweds to always remember the significance of the day and the commitment they had made before God and witnesses.
In his sermon at the wedding, the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Salvation Ministries, Pastor David Ibiyeomie, stated that marriage did not originate from Western culture, traditions, or human ideas, but from God, whom he described as the “manufacturer” of marriage.
According to the cleric, couples seeking lasting and peaceful homes must rely on biblical principles rather than societal trends or assumptions.
He explained that many marital crises and rising divorce rates stem from ignorance and failure to apply scriptural teachings in family life.
Drawing from the biblical parable of building a house on a rock, Pastor Ibiyeomie said the Word of God remains the only solid foundation capable of sustaining marriages through challenges and difficult times.
He noted that marriage naturally comes with unexpected realities and pressures, stressing that religious ceremonies or cultural practices alone are not enough to sustain a home without proper understanding of God’s instructions.
The pastor further warned that ignorance of scripture remains one of the greatest weapons against believers, urging Christians to study and practice the Word of God rather than merely attending church services.
It would be recalled that the bride is the daughter of Pastor Sunny Cookey the Founder and Presiding Pastor of Lifegate Ministries. The Ceremony had lots of Ministers in attendance which includes Apostle Zilly Aggrey, Pastor George Izunwa, and Bishop Winston Iwo