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Don Urges Fish Farm Establishment To Boost Economy

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A university Don, Professor Fayeofori Gbobo Bob-Manuel, has called on the Federal and State Governments to focus more attention on Fisheries and Aquaculture value chain through the establishment of large scale fish farms all over the country because of its potential economic benefits to the nation.
Professor Bob-Manuel made the call while delivering the 43rd inaugural lecture at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) on the topic, “Blue Ecosystem Resources: Unharnessed Black Gold for Sustainable Development in Nigeria”, on Thursday.
He also called on Local Government Council Chairmen to redirect the focus of the youths from oil bunkering to fish farming, and oil companies operating in the country on the need to establish fish farms as well.
The Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture further encouraged Nigerian Universities to grow fish as part of their integrated Agricultural programme in order to make the University community self-sufficient in its fish needs.
He revealed that despite the abundance of water bodies, Nigeria spent 30 billion naira importing fish in the last quarter of 2020, with about 1.2 billion US dollars’ worth of fish imported into the country annually, describing the development as “a serious drain on the country’s scarce foreign exchange.
Noting that if concerted effort is not made by both government and the private sector to improve domestic fish production, fish importation would continue to be on the increase, leading to greater drain on foreign exchange.
According to him, “Nigeria is endowed with blue ecosystem resources which lie unharnessed under its waters, oceans, seas, rivers, lakes, and creeks.
“If the resources in the nation’s waters are properly harnessed they could give the economy a boom and make Nigeria rank among the fastest growing economies in the world without oil and gas.
“Fisheries and aquaculture make up three to four percent of the country’s GDP, contributes to fulfilling the population’s nutritional requirements, accounts for about fifty percent of the supply of animal source food and an important source of essential dietary nutrients.”
He, however, noted that despite the potentials for fish production through aquaculture, artisanal and inland fisheries, domestic fish production still falls far below the demand.
According to the inaugural lecturer, increased human activities through industrialisation, urbanisation, population growth and overall man’s greed to over exploit mother nature have created a serious threat to all kinds of life through pollution, which has become a global problem.
He affirmed that since all other life forms depend directly or indirectly on water, aquatic pollution is often regarded as a great concern to man.
Prof. Bob-Manuel lameted that the exploration and exploitation of crude oil and its related activities in the Niger Delta have impacted negatively on the aquatic fauna in the region, constituting a threat to the biodiversity of fishes.
The effects, he observed, “is that local indigenous people who do not have improved standards of living, are suffering from the serious damage to their natural environment”.
He estimated that a proper clean-up of the region, including full restoration of swamps, creeks, fishing grounds and mangroves could take twenty five years and is bound to affect fisheries and aquaculture production because of the limitation the situation places on harnessing the potentials in the sector.
Nigeria, according to Professor Bob-Manuel, ranks 160 out of 166 countries with regards to progress towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, hinting that five million more rural poor and the low income group in Nigeria live in poverty and suffer from malnutrition.
The University Don, therefore, called for a ban on the importation of fish, while advocating massive production of fish for domestic consumption and export.
He also made a case for fresh water and brackish water fish culture to grow fish in the rural areas where there is a ready market to save a lot of foreign exchange.
Additionally, he said, there should be “a substantial increase in fish supplies needed to bridge the demand and supply gap in coming decades with the use of modern technology and improved farming practices to support sustainability of production”.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, commended the inaugural lecturer for stressing the need to use natural resources to grow the economy and improve the general well-being of the people by focusing more on the fisheries value chain.
He also thanked him for advocating proper management of the environment in order not to destroy the growth of the future economy while trying to meet up today’s needs.
Also speaking, the Acting Registrar, Mr Donald Okogbaa, lauded Professor Bob-Manuel for the expository lecture and for doing justice to the topic, adding that the points raised should be a food for thought for everyone.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

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Motor Spare Parts, Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union Swears Gets New Chairman in Port Harcourt

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The Owhonda Dickson Motor Spare Parts and Industrial Generators Dealers’ Union operating in Ikoku Port Harcourt, Rivers state has sworn in Mr. Cyril Igbokwe, popularly known as Onyeoma Cy, as its new Chairman.

The brief swearing _in ceremony was held at the union office in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Igbokwe expressed gratitude for the trust and confidence his members had shown in him, despite his perceived educational background compared to others. , “I feel very happy to be the chairman of this great union in this great market. I’m proud of my executives for demonstrating commitment and cooperation.” Notably, the executives raised over ?1 million for the inauguration ceremony within an hour.

The new Chairman promised to tackle key challenges facing the union, including security and indiscipline. He vowed to follow in the footsteps of his predecessor, who he praised for excellent performance, and aimed to possibly do better.

Mr. Igbokwe emphasized maintaining a robust relationship with the host community and conducting his affairs within the ambit of the law.

In his remarks,the Electoral Committee Chairman’, Igwe Amobichukwu Eze Okorie, assured that the elections were conducted in a free, fair, and credible manner. Despite facing challenges such as non-compliance with guidelines and unfounded propaganda campaigns, no formal protest letters had been received.

Also speaking, the Women’s Leader, Lolo Nkechinyere Okolie, expressed faith in the new Chairman, citing his integrity and experience. She highlighted her role in ensuring women’s voices are counted in the union and vouched for the credibility of the election, noting that Mr. Igbokwe was the popular choice among members.

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CDS Urges Communities To Protect Pipelines

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The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, has urged Trans Niger Pipeline (TNP) host communities to protect national assets located within their areas.
Musa made the appeal at a monthly stakeholders’ meeting organised by Pipeline Infrastructure Nigeria Limited (PINL) in Port Harcourt.
Represented by Navy Capt. Lassie Ozovehe, he said the effects of oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism were mostly borne by the host communities themselves.
He noted that the environmental and health risks from pipeline damage affect locals more than the oil companies operating in the region.
“These assets are on your land. You benefit from them, so you must protect them and safeguard yourselves from the hazards”, he said.
He praised PINL for its consistent efforts in securing the assets, particularly its record of zero infractions on the Trans Niger pipelines.
Earlier, Dr. Akpos Mezeh, PINL’s Community Relations Consultant, urged host communities to collaborate in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta.
Mezeh said PINL had expanded its mandate to include the security of all oil and gas infrastructure in the Eastern Corridor, including gas pipelines.
He explained that the meeting aimed to reduce pipeline vandalism and oil theft, which have major economic consequences for the country.
He stated that PINL had seen near-zero incidents over the past month, crediting host community cooperation for the achievement.
He, however, identified ongoing issues such as poor information sharing, threats to surveillance guards, stakeholder collusion, and leadership disputes.
A keynote speaker, Mr. Otoyo Sunday, discussed the serious health effects of gas flaring in the Niger Delta region.
He urged people to view the environment as living, warning that harmful activities have long-term consequences for people and nature.
Sunday condemned gas flaring caused by well testing, pressure releases, and illegal refining activities.
On his part, Chairman of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Eastern Zone, Mr. Datolu Sokubo,  called for a balanced focus on security and human development.
“You can’t protect pipelines without addressing people’s welfare. Without our cooperation, infrastructure is never truly secure”, he said.
He urged the Federal Government to prioritise development, especially in education and healthcare, across the region.
The Traditional Ruler of Ekpeye Land, Eze Kelvin Anugwu, called on oil companies to end gas flaring immediately.
Represented by Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, he urged PINL to raise awareness of the health and environmental concerns of the communities.
“We keep advising our youths against bunkering. But oil firms must take responsibility for the long-term effects of their operations”, he stated.
Other traditional leaders at the meeting requested improved welfare for surveillance workers, chiefs, and communities to maintain stability and protect oil infrastructure.
Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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Monarch Cautions Youths Against Illicit Drug Consumption

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The Eze Igbu Orlukwor II, Eze Ehie II, HRH Eze Prince Ike Ehie, has cautioned youths in   his kingdom and Ekpeye at large on the need to  abstain from illicit drugs consumption.
Ehie said this recently while fielding questions from newsmen in commemoration of the 2025 World Drug Abuse Day at his liaison office, Ahoada.
He emphasized that drug abuse was dangerous to the body system as it had harmed many physically, mentally and otherwise.
The Monarch noted that people should always take ‘drugs’ based on prescription by qualified medical and health personnel.
He said youths’ alleged disrespect for constituted authorities, mental challenge and various types of illnesses can be linked to the consumption of illicit drugs.
The Royal Father further noted that except government agencies saddled with the requisite responsibilities synergized with traditional institutions and other like-minded organizations, much may not be achieved against the campaign and fight against illicit drug consumption.
According to him, most youths today can do nothing without taking hard drugs, which he said makes them ‘high’ and hyper elated.
The Orlukwor Monarch wondered how the youths would take over the mantle of leadership at both communities and federal levels with such uncultured behaviour and repugnant attitudes.
The World Day of Drug Abuse,  was tagged, “Breaking The Chains, Prevention, Treatment And Recovery For All”.
King Onunwor
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