Rivers

Stakeholders Seek Inclusion Of Climate Change Studies In School Syllabus

Published

4 years ago

April 8, 2022

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

Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.

Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.

He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.

“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.

“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.

In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.

The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.

Rivers

IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.

It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.

Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.

The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.

It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..

The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.

Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”

In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.

He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.

Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .

In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.

Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.

Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation

Published

3 days ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.

Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.

“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.

He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.

According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.

Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.

Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.

The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.

He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.

On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.

They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.

King Onunwor