Rivers
Rivers Varsity Trains Lecturers On Performance
As part of measures to reposition and equip lecturers for better service delivery, the Rivers State University, has organised a workshop for academic staff of the university with a charge for them to be alive to their responsibilities.
Thus, based on the premium the university attaches to such a programme, it therefore, made it mandatory for all academic staff, insisting that promotion of staff would be predicated on the presentation of certificates of attendance by the staffers.
The workshop, which was held at the university campus in Port Harcourt on Monday was anchored by the Directorate of Quality Assurance and the Directorate of Academic Planning.
In a keynote address at the occasion, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Nlerum Okogbule said the workshop was special as it was designed to enable all academic staff appreciate the importance and relevance of what they do as academics, adding that it was aimed at equipping them with the capacity and capability to be able to carry out their teaching jobs in a dynamic and rapidly changing society.
According to him, “since there has been a tremendous transformation of the social, economic and political structures of the society, manifested in changes in several fields of human endevour, it becomes imperative for university lecturers to reappraise their roles and re-strategise on how best to carry out their duties in the 21st century.”
He further noted that the workshop was underpinned by a realisation of the importance of training and and re-training of the workforce to achieve the goals of an organisation like the university.
To ensure that all staff of the university receive appropriate training, Okogbule hinted that a similar workshop for non-academic staff would hold in March, contending that this programme is structured in such a way as to cater for the peculiar expectations and requirements of the academic staff to enhance their performance.
The Vice Chancellor further indicated that the speakers at the event were carefully chosen to guide the lecturers through the peculiar expectations to ensure that they perform their academic duties effectively and efficiently, and listed the critical areas of focus to include how to achieve excellence in teaching and research; the requirements of promotion; procedures for the conduct of examinations; relationship with staff and students; and the channels of communications in the university.
Said Okogbule, “It is sometimes assumed that somebody who is appointed as a lecturer, Head of Department or Dean of a Faculty knows all that is required for that position. This is a largely false assumption as the example of the last two months has shown. I, therefore, urge you all to take this workshop very seriously so that you can maximally benefit from it and our university will be the better for it”.
He thanked the Director of Quality Assurance of the university, Prof Eric Amadi and his Academic Planning counterpart, Prof Precious Ede as well as their team for putting the programme together.
The Director of Quality Assurance, Prof Eric Amadi, in his opening speech said the whole essence of the workshop is for the lecturers to mentor students and bring back the university culture and not for money seekers, insisting that lecturers by their calling are expected to proffer solutions and not necessarily to bully students.
He stressed the need for proper communication channels between lecturers and students.
Among officers of the university who graced the occasion included the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academics, Prof Valentine Omubo-Pepple; Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration, Prof Nnamdi Okoroma; Registrar of the university, Dr Sydney Enyindah; Deans of Faculties and a host of others. Former Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Simeon Achinewho equally attended the event.
By: Emeka Igbe
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.
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