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Stakeholders Seek Inclusion Of Climate Change Studies In School Syllabus

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Some stakeholders in Rivers State are calling for the inclusion of climate change and environmental studies in school curriculum in the state.
They said this at the two-day Climate Action For Sustainability And Environment Project (CASE) climate action manual review meeting in Port Harcourt.
The event was organised by the Rivers Network Of NGOs (RINNGOs) with support from the British Council at the European Union (EU) they said that the proposal will check the involvement of the youths in activities that destroyed the environment such as: illegal oil bunkering.
The participants said these in position of Authorities should devise a means of reaching to young ones especially in their tender age with the view to impcanting in their minds the negative effects of Kporfire to the environment.
Rivers State Commissioner for Education Professor Kaniye Ebeku described the event as timely inview of the negative effect of the black soot on the environment.
Ebeku also said the situation would strengthen residence, climate literacy and advocacy amongst children and youths in Rivers State.
According to him, “ the climate Action for sustainability and environmental education project with a vision to combat climate change and its impacts, strengthen residence, climate literacy and advocacy amongst children and youths in Rivers state is needed not only timely but a welcome development coming at the heels of the effort of the government to put an end to the menace caused by the soot and recated pollutants.
“In addition, recognises also the importance of the growing youths early to take responsibility towards protecting their environment”.
The commissioner also acknowledged that at the global level, initiatives like this help to improve school environments especially resource usage at the environmental footprint where students take in environmental problems and seek resolution at local to national level as well as thinking globally so as to improve students attitude and behaviour as part of developing a sustainability mindset.
The commissioner said the ministry welcomes proactive policy advocacy that will engage teaching and learning without a doubt will welcome stakeholders inputs and collaboration towards improving the education sector.
Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Women Affairs, Barrister Uche Uriri said climate change affects women and children negatively because of their level of vulnerability.
Uriri said climate change has not only increased poverty among the women folk but the health conditions of women and children deteriorating.
She said any action towards teaching the youth the dangers of Kporfire will be welcome by the ministry.
Also speaking an Assistant Director in the ministry of environment Mr. Isaac Nwankwo said the ministry will work towards taking the programme to the grass root.
Nwankwo said the government of Rivers State has started infact by waging war against Kporfire which is one of the causes of climate change.
He blamed the low air quality index in the State on the activities of the citizenry, adding that early education will inculcate in the younger ones the importance of clean environment to human existence.
Also speaking the representative of the European Union (EU) Mr. Temple Ora Eke said policy markers in Rivers State should demonstrate higher level of commitment towards combating climate change.
Eke said one of the ways of doing this is by promoting the concept of “Catch Them Young” across the state.
State coordinator of Rinngos, Dr (
Mrs) Mina Ogbanga said the climate Action pack is a collaborating of 20 years practical of working in environmental education across schools communities and IDP camps pushing for youth led efforts at environmental protection.
“Today incline with the sustainable development Goals 4, 7 and 13, wish to once again make history as we prepare another working tool for environmental education and climate action against 2030 target year”.
Ogbanga said the two days programme was to put implace and inclusive working material on climate action endorsed by the key ministries which role in deploying the manual cannot be over emphasezied.
The event was attended by teachers from some Local Government Areas including Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, Ogu/Bobo, Okirika amongst others.

By: John Bibor & Oribim Ibama

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Rivers

MCDI Inducts 150 Professionals In PH

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The Mentoring and Career Development Institute of Nigeria (MCDI) has inducted about 150 new members into various categories of membership during a special induction ceremony and dinner in Port Harcourt.
Aimed at expanding the institute’s membership base, the event offered new inductees an opportunity to engage with senior members and integrate fully into the organisation’s professional network.
The induction ceremony was part of the 2025 national conference of the institute.
National President of MCDI, Dr. Collins Edebiri, administered the oath, while the new members promised to carry out their duties faithfully, following the institute’s rules and constitution.
Dr. Edebiri emphasised the institute’s core mandate of instilling values that will shape individuals and institutions.
He emphasised the theme of the conference, “Mentoring for Individual and Corporate Leadership”, noting that last year’s focus centred on national development and value reorientation.
Edebiri explained that the induction ceremony is a key feature of the institute’s annual conference, though inductions also occur quarterly.
On the criteria for membership, he said the most important factor is the desire to be mentored or the readiness to mentor others, and urged the new inductees to become ambassadors of value-driven leadership in their respective workplaces.
Guest Speaker at the ceremony, Mrs. Ibim Semenitari, who was a former Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), shared her experiences from her early days in journalism, attributing much of her professional growth to strong mentorship.
She encouraged members to embrace mentorship as a catalyst for personal and societal advancement.
Seminitari was later presented an award.
New members, including Wisdom Egberi Woniepiriye, and Mrs. Grace Ajinwanyiekwu, expressed their excitement and hope to be mentored well so they can eventually mentor others.
There were a dinner and networking session, marking another success for MCDI in its efforts to build leadership values nationwide.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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Rivers

Fisherman Gets Thumbs-Up Over Patent Creation 

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The Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) has commended a renowned fisherman, Mr. Ricky Brown Owunari, for what it described as a remarkable stride in global engineering content creation.
In a congratulatory message signed by the Association, weekend, the SPE said  the patented “Dewaxer Flow Enhancer and Downhole Tool” had secured official endorsement under U.S. Patent No. 12,448,868 B2.
They said the development has been highlighted as a significant indicator of Rivers State’s growing intellectual and technological capacity, with observers noting that such breakthroughs position the state as a rising hub for innovation.
According to those familiar with the innovation, the achievement serves as proof that Niger Deltans have moved beyond the era of militancy and are now producing world-class content, research outputs, and technical solutions.
The SPE officials described the patented technologies as timely tools designed to tackle wax deposition in crude oil wells, a major challenge that frequently disrupts production and increases maintenance costs.
They further stressed that the milestone underscores the need for Rivers State to invest more in supporting innovators whose works demonstrate global potential.
Industry experts revealed that the tool originated from years of field observation, experimentation, and rigorous research aimed at improving flow assurance in challenging well conditions.
They also urged the Federal Government to show greater appreciation for home-grown innovations, calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to formally recognise and encourage technological breakthroughs emerging from the Niger Delta.
Stakeholders at the event warned against piracy, emphasising that unauthorised copying of patented technologies undermines national progress and discourages genuine innovators.
Analysts observed that the breakthrough strengthens the narrative of a new Rivers State built on creativity, content development, and technical excellence rather than conflict.
The session concluded with a call for stronger collaboration between government authorities and industry players to protect intellectual property and position Rivers State as a greenhouse for innovation-driven content.
The content, The Tide gathered, is expected to solve critical challenges in the oil and gas sector, as well as other relevant areas of the national economy.
By; King Onunwor
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NBA Seeks End To Mass Abductions, Targeted Killings

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The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned against mass abductiond and targeted killings in Nigeria.
President of the NBA, Mazi Afam Osigwe, who gave the warning, noted that Nigeria was faced with a growing wave of violence following fresh attacks in Kebbi and Borno States.
The association issued the warning after terrorists attacked the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Maga on November 17.
According The Tide’s source, the gunmen killed a teacher and abducted at least twenty-five students during a shootout with security personnel.
The  President said the latest attack shows the country has become unsafe for schoolchildren and civilians.
He further noted that Nigeria also lost Brigadier General M. Uba earlier that day in an ISWAP ambush in Borno State.
According to Osigwe, the nation was  witnessing a rise in terrorism, kidnapping, and lawlessness that has overwhelmed security agencies, adding that rural communities, travellers, farmers, and security officers are all exposed.
The NBA President also warned that Nigeria was facing a dangerous breakdown of public safety.
Quoting recent reports, he said about 145 people went missing in mass abductions across Kebbi, Niger, and Zamfara within four days.
“The country must stop recording deaths while hoping for peace through negotiations with terrorists”, he said.
The NBA further revealed that recent intelligence alerts, including the DSS warning of ISWAP plans to strike in Ondo and Kogi, show a widening threat.
Osigwe questioned why terrorists still control forests and highways without challenge, with criminals levying taxes on communities, displace families, and attack convoys.
The NBA demanded an urgent national security overhaul with transparency and strong political will.
Osigwe, however, praised the teacher who died in Kebbi while protecting students.
By;  King Onunwor
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