Rivers

Foundation Trains 350 Rivers Youths On Specialised Skills

Published

2 months ago

October 4, 2022

The Tonto Dikeh Foundation (TDF) has commenced training for 350 unemployed youths in Rivers State on vocational and specialised skills, to enable them open businesses and employ others.
Ms Tonto Dikeh, Founder of TDF and 2023 Rivers Deputy Gubernatorial Candidate of the African Democratic Party (ADC), flagged off the three-week training programme in Port Harcourt.
She said it targeted to provide vocational skills and empowerment to the beneficiaries in catering, culinary, fashion and design, baking, make up, interior decoration, air conditioner and satellite (dish) installations, among others.
“We have also included coding as we want people to learn how to code (applications) and become players in the Information Technology marketplace.
“We want to empower as many youths as possible with skills to enable them to earn a living, support their families, and create employment for others,” she said.
She expressed optimism that the training with the theme, “Free Direct Aid Empowerment Programme for Rivers State,” would generate many indirect jobs in the state.
Dike said she decided to give back to the people at a time most Nigerians, particularly the youths, were experiencing hardship due to the downturn of the nation’s economy.
According to her, the economic downturn and high inflation have made many youths take to crime for their survival.
“So, when there is no employment, that is when you have increased armed robbery, violent crimes, insecurity, among other crimes and criminalities.
“At presently, every youth is now looking for a legal avenue to become more productive. Nobody wants to be a liability anymore.
“This programme seeks to give youths some sense of belonging through their acquisition of skills, to enable them to fend for themselves and become employers of labour,” she added.
The Nollywood actress said at the end of the training the best five trainees from each vocation would be supported by the foundation to start their own businesses.
She said the foundation was also planning to organise another vocational training on technology related skills, featuring instructors from South Africa and the United States.
Speaking, the Paramount Ruler of Rumuagholu Community in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Eze Samuel Nyegwa, commended her for empowering youths from the area.
He said that people were proud of Dikeh for her several contributions to the state, describing her as an illustrious daughter of Rivers.
One of the beneficiaries, Joyce Amadi, said she was delighted to have the opportunity to acquire a skill in fashion and design for free.
Amadi said she had always wanted to learn the skill but had been unable to do so, due to the exorbitant fees charged by fashion houses in Port Harcourt.
“So, I thank Tonto Dike for giving me this opportunity to realise my dream of becoming a fashion designer and make a living from it,” she said.

Rivers

LG Boss Lauds Traditional Institutions On Peace Sustainability

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2022

The Tide

The Chairman, Okrika Local Government Council, Hon. Akuro Tobin, has demonstrated his respect for traditional institution in Okrika as the traditional rulers in the area were hosted to a special luncheon at the council, yesterday.
The council boss commended the traditional institutions in the area for promoting peace in their various communities and urged them to sustain the tempo especially as the general elections draw nearer.
Akuro also solicited the cooperation and understanding of the traditional rulers towards the council’s developmental drive.
In a remark, the traditional rulers assured the chairman of the sustainability of the existing peace and tranquility and promised to support his administration.
The traditional rulers in attendance include His Royal Majesty, King E.T.I Obudibo, Amayanabo of ancient Ogoloma kingdom; His Royal Majesty, King Amb. Dr. Michael Ateke Tom JP, Amayanabo of ancient Okochiri kingdom and Sekuro of Niger Delta, and His Royal Majesty, King Air Commodore T.E.O. Ogube (Rtd.), Amayanabo of Kirike Town.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Michael Abraham

Rivers

NUC Tasks IAUE On Establishment Of Mass Comm Dept

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2022

The Tide

The National Universities Commission (NUC) accreditation team has advised Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) to establish a full-fledged Department of Mass Communication.
Speaking during an exit meeting on Tuesday, at the Council Chambers, the team leader for the Department of English and Communication Art, Professor Saleh Abdu, noted that the establishment of the Mass Communication Department would provide opportunity for the many students yearning for it to become specialists in that field.
He expressed appreciation to the University’s Management for grooming graduates who are competent in their career pursuit and appealed to the Department to make the e-library more accessible to students.
Professor Abdu described as unethical the situation where students write their names on examination scripts and emphasized that only matriculation numbers should be allowed on examination scripts.
The Professor from the University of Kashere thanked the Vice Chancellor for conference sponsorship for teaching staff, saying that such staff development drive should also be extended to the non-teaching staff.
In his response, the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, who was represented by the Acting Registrar, Mr Donald Okogbaa, said the setting up of the NUC is the best gift bequeathed to the Nigerian Universities.
He expressed gratitude to the accreditation team for their observations and assured that machineries would be put in place to ensure that all recommendations and suggestions made are strictly adhered to.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

‘See BSN As Integral Part Of Church’

Published

1 day ago

December 8, 2022

The Tide

The Church of Christ has been called upon to see the Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN) as an integral part to advance the kingdom of God on Earth.
Chairman of the BSN, Rivers/Bayelsa Area, Elder Omoni Ayo-Tamuno, BSN-SPM made the call while addressing members of the Saint Silas Christ Army Church of Nigeria, Ibuluya Ama, in Okrika Local Government Area, as part of the 2022 Bible Week Celebration.
He explained that the call became imperative and crucial in view of the near lack of interest and lookwarm attitude of some clergy men towards the Society.
According to him, BSN was established primarily to fill the gap of translating the Written Word of God from English to various Nigerian Languages.
He disclosed that the Society had so far translated 27 Nigerian languages out of the over 500 languages spoken in Nigeria into full Bible.
Elder Ayo-Tamuno further said of the 500 languages apart from the 27 fully translated, 63 New Testament languages have been translated, while 98 portions of the Scriptures are in other Nigerian languages.
He said more than 13 translation projects are now on-going in various Nigerian languages, adding that within the Area, which include Bayelsa and Rivers States, three translations are on-going in Ogbia, Epie and Eleme.
“It’s, therefore, very important and expedient for the Clergy to support the Society, bearing in mind that no Clergy can function without the Word of God”, he said.
He used the opportunity to commend the Church for their support to the Okrika Auxiliary, and stressed the need for members to register as Special Members.
Later in his response, the Vicar in charge of the Church, the Venerable Lee Jen Akwabala, thanked the Society for the visit and assured that he would upgrade his membership to the Special Membership Cadre.
Venerable Akwabala promised that four members of the Church would register as Special Members and praised the Society for the gift of free New Testament Bibles, adding that the Bibles would assist in the missionary activities of the Church.

By: Soibi Max-Alalibo