Niger Delta
Igbinedion Varsity Has Produced Over 16, 000 Graduates -VC
Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), in Edo State, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, on Friday said the university had graduated about 16, 000 undergraduate and postgraduate students since inception.
Speaking during the 20th convocation ceremony of the institution’s 2021/2022 academic session in Okada, Benin, Ezemonye said the convocation ceremony was particularly significant as the school was celebrating 23 years of academic excellence and two decades of timely graduation and unbroken convocation.
He noted that the institution was blazing a trail in terms of quality education delivery as it produced its latest set of 691 graduands, out of which, he said, 13 students bagged first class honours degree.
“Today, 557 undergraduate and 134 postgraduate students will be added to the list of distinguished graduands spread across seven colleges.
“The breakdown of undergraduate students shows that 13 graduated with first class, 248 second class upper, 215 second class lower and unclassified (pharmacy) 81.
“For the postgraduate school, 82 students would receive master degrees, 40 will receive PhD, while 12 will receive Post graduate diploma,” he said.
Ezemonye also said the Chancellor’s Fee rebate for staff and staff dependants had produced about 40 PhD, 80 MSc and over 200 First Degree graduate staff members in the institution.
According to him, all programmes run by the university were fully accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and relevant professional bodies.
The Chancellor of the institution, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, said the university had not relented in its commitment to deliver world-class education in a highly conducive global environment.
He was represented by the Deputy Chancellor, Dr Lucky Igbinedion, a former Governor of Edo State.
Igbinedion noted that all efforts to maintain the institution as the premier private university in Nigeria and drive towards academic excellence continued to receive tremendous goodwill and support from many.
The Chancellor thanked the management for providing strategic leadership to the institution.
The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the institution’s Governing Council, Prof. Sheikh Ahmed Abdullah, on his part, said the university was proud to celebrate 20 years of unbroken graduation in its 23 years of existence.
The guest speaker, Mr David Smith, Chairman, British Africa Business Alliance, United Kingdom, called on Nigerians to come up with business plans to utilise the 25 billion pounds held in bank accounts in the UK by African savers, looking for opportunities to invest the funds.
He disclosed that 99 per cent of businesses in the UK were Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
“That is where our employment is, that is where our wealth is. But in Nigeria, MSMEs account for only three per cent.
“University is not just about graduating students but applying the knowledge to advance society in terms of development,” he stated.
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.