Rivers
Researchers Harp On Alternative Energy Source
Environmental researchers in Nigeria have restated the need for alternative energy source in the country in order to check environmental pollution and degradation.
The researchers called for adequate funding, investment and research into alternative sources of energy that would not degrade and pollute the environment but preserve it for future generations.
This call formed the major highlight at a recent three-day 1st Zonal Conference of the Association of Management and Social Sciences Researchers of Nigeria (AMSSRN).
The conference, which took place at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Auditorium, was themed “Developing Nigeria’s Clean Energy Sources for Sustainable Economic Development: The Imperative of Research in Curbing The Menace of Black Soot in The Niger Delta Region”.
In a keynote address, the first guest speaker, Prof Emmanuel Amaps Loveday Ibanichuka, who spoke on “Developing Nigeria’s Clean Energy Sources for Sustainable Economic Development: thte Imperative for Adequate Funding of Research-based Institutions in Nigeria”, commended AMSSRN for the conference.
Describing the theme as apt and timely, because of the menace of soot in the region, he said “it is pertinent and obligatory for all to strive to achieve economic goals by protecting, preserving and sustaining the environment for the good health and survival of occupants of the current space so that the capacity of future generations to utilize the resources will not be compromised.
“The soot in the region is a product of unclean energy sources such as coal, oil, gas, industrial agrofuels, biomass mega hydroelectric dam, waste to energy incineration and nuclear power, which has affected water, sanitation, good health and wellbeing of people.
“If nothing tangible is done to remediate the environment, the adverse effects will compromise the capacity of those yet unborn to achieve their economic goals”, he said.
He described the unclean energy sources as non-renewable or dirty energy sources, noting that “oil and gas, which are fossil fuel energy, are the worst culprit of unclean energy sources in the Nigerian space”.
Nigeria, he observed, “is one of the highest emitters of greenhouse gases in Africa due to the high level of flaring of gas operations by oil companies.
“Oil extractions, processing, transportation and utilization generate multiple environmental and social impacts, including the emission of significant quantities of climate destabilizing carbon dioxide”, he stated.
The Professor of Accounting, cintinued that although Nigeria cannot completely abandon fossil fuel energy sources without developing alternatives, the country can consider how efficient these sources can be utilized without negatively impacting the environment and society.
He identified solar, wind, small hydropower and tidal as clean energy sources, adding that if properly harnessed, it would enhance security and eradicate poverty in the country.
The guest speaker called for adequate funding of research-based institutions to discover and harness clean energy sources for sustainable economic development of the economy.
He also advised to adopt major energy policy intervention for impactful contribution to sustainable economic environmental and social development of Nigeria.
Earlier the Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, represented by the Dean, Management Sciences, Professor Loveday Okere, expressed appreciation to AMSSRN for making IAUE their choice destination and enjoined captains of industries to formulate policies based on research.
Professor Okere, who declared the conference open, also advised students to imbibe the culture of proper research.
The Chairman of the conference and Director, Research and Development, Professor Kemka Humphrey Ogbonda, described research as fundamental for teaching and community service, stating that without research, there will be no innovations and development.
In her welcome address, President of AMSSRN, Dr. Uche Lucy Onyekwelu, said countries like Singapore, Japan, Malaysia, and China categorised as Asian Tigers, are fastly taking over in the world of economic and political leadership because they accorded research and scholarship their necessary positions.
She affirmed that AMSSRN is celebrating its efforts at building strategic collaborations in projecting research and scholarship in Nigeria and the globe.
Dr Onyekwelu expressed gratitude to the VC of IAUE for being a good host and Dr. Yakie Ogon of the Agip Oil producing company, the second guest speaker, who delivered his lecture at the conference via zoom.
In a vote of thanks, the Chairman, Local Organizing Committee, Dr Israel Omesi, congratulated AMSSRN for making the dream of the conference a reality.
He said the Association, which came into being on March 24th, 2021, was born out of the desire to bridge the gap between the educational sector and the industry for improved research and development.
Dr Omesi, who spoke through the Vice Chairman of AMSSRN District Lunch off Committee, Dr Amaefula Leonard, urged upcoming researchers to contribute their quota to make Nigeria great.
The Executive Members of AMSSRN had earlier paid a courtesy visit to the Registrar, Mrs Hope Keaniabarido Kue-Ikoro, who described the conference as a step in the right direction.
She affirmed the need for research to be tailored towards solving societal needs and problems in addition to contributing to knowledge.
Kue-Ikoro expressed optimism that the desired drive by the Association would be taken very far until the need to carry out research differently from what is currently practiced is achieved.
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.