Rivers

FG Inducts Apostle Chinyere Into Nigeria’s Books Of Record

Published

3 years ago

January 11, 2023

The Nigeria Books of Record (NBR) Research Centre has appointed the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries (OPM), Apostle Chibuzor Chinyere, as Fellow of the organisation.
NBR was established in 2009 as part of the “Change Begin with Me Campaign” of the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture.
Director-General of the centre, Prof. David David, conferred the honour during a church service at OPM headquarters in Port Harcourt on Sunday.
David said the decision to confer Chinyere as a fellow of the centre was taken in view of his selfless and humanitarian services to the poor and less privileged.
“So, we decided to induct Apostle Chinyere a Fellow of NBR in recognition of his humanitarian assistance to thousands of Nigerians across all religious and ethnic divides.
“Chinyere is among those who are bringing real change in Nigeria by his mission of giving hope to the poor, less privileged and downtrodden in the society.
“The remarkable thing that impresses us about his humanitarian services is that these things are done from the offerings and tithes of members of the church,” he said.
David said through the tithes and offerings that Chinyere built 22 state-of-the-art free nursery and primary schools being attended by more than 45,000 pupils in the country.
“The pupils are provided with four pairs of uniforms, bags, books and other writing materials as well as fed daily in OPM’s free school feeding programme.
“Chinyere built the first free school for children born with Autism and Down syndrome in the world as well as operates two free specialist hospitals in Port Harcourt and Abia state.
“He has built 18 free estates that accommodate both the poor, repentant armed robbers, kidnappers, militants, and prostitutes, among others, as they undergo rehabilitation,” he said.
David said aside from providing accommodation for them, Chinyere also feed, clothe and take care of their general upkeep.
According to him, the preacher has given local and foreign scholarships to over 3,000 Nigerians in universities in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Turkey, Cyprus, Benin and the United Arab Emirates.
“OPM also operates a free restaurant that feeds the poor and less privileged as well as built houses for widows and orphans.
“Currently, the church operates the largest skills acquisition centre in Port Harcourt that has trained over 30,000 Nigerians in the last ten years on different vocational skills for free.
“Recall that Chinyere in 2021 relocated late Deborah’s family to Port Harcourt, bought them a 15 mini flat estates, gave her parents a car, canteen and awarded scholarships to her siblings,” David said.
Receiving the award, Apostle Chinyere expressed delight over the honour and reiterared his commitment to engage in more humanitarian services for the people.
He said that he was motivated to embark on humanitarian works by his passion and commitment to follow the footstep of Jesus Christ – who loves the poor and the suffering.
“We already have more humanitarian services in the pipeline that are designed to touch more lives in 2023.
“One of the things we want to do is to establish a free university where children of the less privileged can go to school without paying a Kobo.
“The things we are already doing and others in the pipeline will be run from the tithes and offerings of members of OPM,” he said.

Rivers

NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

Published

2 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

In response to the recent flood disaster that displaced families, destroyed farmlands, and worsened economic hardship in Ogu/Bolo Community, The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has distributed relief materials to residents of the community.

Presenting the items on behalf of the Managing Director, the Director II, Education, Health and Social Services, Engr. Jeremiah Onolejoloni, said the intervention underscores the commission’s commitment to alleviating the plight of vulnerable communities across the Niger Delta.

According to a statement by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, the gesture followed the devastating impact of flooding on livelihoods in the community.

The Managing Director noted that the commission, in collaboration with the Derek and Davia Foundation, provided financial support to facilitate the distribution of essential food items and household materials to affected residents.

He described the initiative as part of efforts to address pressing needs, adding that it also reflects government’s solidarity with citizens facing economic challenges.

“This intervention goes beyond palliatives. It is a demonstration of government’s presence, compassion and commitment to supporting families in distress, in line with the renewed hope agenda of the President,” he said.

He urged community leaders to ensure fair distribution of the items and encouraged residents to sustain peace and support development programmes.

The Paramount Ruler of Ogu-Bolo, Chief Joachim Amachiri, commended the Commission for the timely intervention, noting that it would provide much-needed relief to victims of the flood.

He reaffirmed the community’s support for NDDC initiatives aimed at improving living conditions in the region.

Also speaking, a consultant on the programme, represented by Dr. George Smile, praised the commission’s responsiveness to disaster-affected communities, disclosing that plans were underway, in partnership with development stakeholders, to extend similar support to neighbouring areas.

Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Rivers

Don Traces Nigeria’s Highway Woes To Design Failures … Proposes Mechanistic-Empirical Design Approach

Published

2 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

A lecturer at the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has called for a fundamental overhaul of Nigeria’s highway pavement systems, stating that poor design practices and weak standards, not just inadequate funding, are at the heart of the country’s persistent road failures.

Delivering the 128th inaugural lecture at the Rivers State University, titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding The Foundation For Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure”, Ekwulo argued that Nigeria’s roads will continue to deteriorate prematurely unless critical engineering principles are strictly applied and enforced.

According to him, recurring defects in the nation’s highways stem from a combination of faulty design processes, substandard construction materials, weak regulatory enforcement, poor drainage systems, and widespread disregard for professional ethics.

He stressed that these systemic failures have undermined the durability of road infrastructure despite significant financial investments.

“Premature pavement failures in Nigeria are not due to lack of funds alone, but largely due to poor design decisions, weak material standards, and absence of accountability,” he said.

Ekwulo proposed the adoption of the mechanistic-empirical design approach, a scientifically grounded method for predicting pavement performance, as a pathway to improving road quality.

He also advocated for the development of a localized framework, the Nigerian Empirical and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS), to reflect the country’s unique environmental and material conditions.

He further recommended stricter quality control measures, including independent audits, the establishment of a national database for material characterization, and compulsory traffic load analysis for all road projects.

The use of modified binders and advanced materials, he added, would enhance pavement resilience.

To ensure sustainability, the Professor called for the implementation of a National Pavement Management System to coordinate maintenance and monitoring efforts nationwide, noting that consistent upkeep is essential to prolonging road lifespan.

Ekwulo emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between academia and industry, urging universities to lead applied research initiatives and pilot projects that can deliver practical solutions to Nigeria’s infrastructure challenges.

Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said universities must play a frontline role in addressing national development issues through research-driven interventions.

He described the lecture as timely, noting that the neglect of core engineering standards has contributed significantly to the country’s failing highways.

The event, held at the Dr. Ezenwo Wike Senate Building in the campus, also featured the formal decoration of Ekwulo as the institution’s 128th inaugural lecturer.

Reiterating his position after the lecture, Ekwulo stated that with proper design methods, quality materials, and strict adherence to global standards, Nigeria’s roads can achieve their intended lifespan of 10 to 20 years or more.

“Without a return to engineering fundamentals and accountability, investments in road infrastructure will continue to yield poor results”, he concluded.

Rivers

CP Reaffirms Commitment To Human Rights, Community Policing In Rivers

Published

2 days ago

April 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has assured residents of the command’s commitment to upholding human rights and delivering people-oriented policing.

He stressed that officers under his watch would continue to operate within the confines of the law, while strengthening community relations.

Adepoju gave the assurance during a sensitisation walk organised by the State Police Command as part of activities marking the National Police Day in Port Harcourt.

He noted that the exercise was aimed at fostering trust and enhancing cooperation between the police and the public.

While expressing appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving a special day for the Nigeria Police to celebrate its achievements, he described the gesture as a morale booster that would spur officers to greater efficiency and professionalism in service delivery.

The CP also commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for initiating a week-long celebration, which he said had provided an opportunity for the police to reconnect with citizens and showcase reforms within the force.

According to him, the large turnout of residents, stakeholders and members of the business community during the exercise was a clear indication of the growing confidence reposed in the police by the people of Rivers State.

He reiterated that the Command would sustain its sensitisation efforts, adding that officers had been adequately briefed to respect the rights of citizens, maintain professionalism and work closely with the media to promote transparency and accountability.

Adepoju disclosed that the week-long activities commenced with environmental sanitation across commands and divisions, alongside public enlightenment campaigns targeted at strengthening police-community relations.

He further revealed that the Command had also embarked on free medical outreach for both officers and members of the public, as part of its corporate social responsibility and commitment to public welfare.

The CP added that financial support would be extended to widows of fallen police officers through the presentation of cheques, in line with directives from the police high command, to cushion the effects of their loss.

In his response, the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in the state, Voke Emore, said the initiative was geared towards rebuilding trust between the police and the communities they serve.

Emore noted that the renewed synergy between the police and residents in Rivers State had created an enabling environment for effective policing, urging the public to continue supporting security agencies with useful information.

Also, a representative of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Mrs. Chima Nnaji, said the group participated in the walk to show solidarity with their spouses.

The event drew attendance from senior police officers, members of the PCRC, and stakeholders from various sectors of the state.

King Onunwor