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Diri Donates Hall Of Fame To UNIPORT
Notwithstanding, the ongoing strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), was yesterday suffused with pomp, pageantry and manifold emotions as a business mogul in Rivers State, Mr Sobere Diri, donated the Asikiya Diri (nee Nungo) Hall of Fame building to the university’s faculty of Management Sciences in response to an earlier request by the faculty for the building of a hall of fame.
Diri who sits atop Hamilton Technologies Limited, a three-decade old indigenous fluids services company as Managing Director, said the handing over of the building was delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
He expressed utmost joy at the completion of the project which he explained was his own way of contributing his own quota to the educational and social development of the university and the larger society.
Stating “unequivocally that the building represents friendship and partnership with the university, Diri explained that “the name of the building was strategic, given the fact that my mother, Asikiya Diri (Nee Nungo) is a woman with a golden heart, whose legacy was that of helping others in need, even at huge costs to her.”
He hinted that his experience as a student of the faculty whose mother struggled daily to ensure he never missed lectures and the dire financial straits of the universities gave impetus to building the edifice to ensure conducive atmosphere for teaching and learning.
Diri who appealed to other alumni of UNIPORT to intervene in the critical needs of the institution donated N5million on behalf of his wife for the provision of some items for the faculty and another N5million on behalf of his children for scholarship to indigent students of the faculty.
He also announced the donation of N5million for the faculty on behalf of his friends.
Lamenting the fate of students in the country, Diri advised youths to be focused and desist from anti-social activities and take their destiny in their hands to enable them succeed in life.
Speaking earlier, the Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Emeka Okere paid glowing tributes to Diri for redeeming his pledge to the faculty, assuring that the Hall of Fame would be put into good use.
Thanking Diri for making the day a reality, he called on other alumni of the institution to emulate his kind gesture.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Owunari George thanked Diri for the great fit of doing the faculty of Management Sciences and the institution the honour of building the structure.
Owunari who commissioned the tastefully furnished structure described Diri as a proud alumni of the institution for single handedly building the Hall of Fame.
Urging other alumni of the institution to emulate Diri, Owunari appealed for more assistance given the lean funds of the university.
The Amanyanabo of Opobo, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja, government recognized traditional rulers, and many dignitaries graced the colourful ceremony.
By: Victor Tew
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
