News

Over 4,000 Rivers West Women Unite For Fubara

Published

3 years ago

January 25, 2023

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Fredrick

About 4,000 women from eight local government areas that constitute the Rivers West Senatorial District, last Sunday, defied the scorching sun, walked from Western Ahoada County High School to St. Paul’s State School field, Ahoada Town, to reiterate their support for the Governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Sir Siminialayi Fubara.
The walk, tagged “Rivers West Women Unite for SIM”, had an array of female stakeholders and politicians, who made far reaching statements on the stance of women as regards the current political era.
Notable amongst those who delivered solidarity messages were the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, and Rivers West Senatorial Candidate, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo; PDP Deputy Governorship candidate, Prof Ngozi Ordu; House of Representatives candidate for Asari-Toru/ Akuku-Toru Federal Constituency, Hon. Boma Goodhead; Dame Victoria Awuse; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs.Ukel Oyaghiri; Chairman of Bonny Local Government Area, Dame Anengi Barasua Claude-Wilcox; wife of PDP State Chairman, Mrs. Ene Akawor, and PDP State Woman Leader, Hon. Marian Ogbonna.
In their respective speeches, they spoke on the need for women to collect and protect their Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs), in readiness for the general election in February and March.
They expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, for his continuous support for the political aspirations of women in the state, which has culminated to the emergence of a female deputy governor, female senator, female members of the national and state Assemblies, female commissioners, female special advisers, female judges of federal and state High Courts, female Magistrates, female local government chairman, female vice chairmen of all the local government areas, and other key appointments.
They said Wike’s gender friendly posture and policies have been an immense boost for women.
Earlier in her address, Convener of the walk and Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Tonye Briggs Oniyide, said the walk was to create awareness in the area, and also tell the world that the women from the senatorial district were ready to cast their votes for the party’s Governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara and other candidates of the party during the general election.
Oniyide, who doubles as deputy director of the Mobilisation (Women) Directorate of the State Campaign Council, said women came from Abua/Odual, Ahaoad East, Ahoada West, Asari-Toru, Akuku-Toru, Bonny, Degema and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA), to participate in the walk as a show of commitment to the Consolidation of the New Rivers Agenda that would bring about infrastructure and manpower development in the state.
Some prominent women who participated in the walk, included member representing Okrika State Constituency, Hon. Linda Somiari Stewart; Deputy Director of the Mobilisation (Women) Directorate of the State Campaign Council, Hon. Alali Irimagha; former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Blessing Nsiegbe; former Commissioner for Special Duties, Mrs. Emily Solomon; former Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Nancy Nwankwo; wife of the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Mrs.Ugar Ikuinyi-OwajiIbani, wife of the Chief of Staff, Mrs. Grace Woke; wife of the Head of Service, Dr. Matilda Rufus Godwin; Hon. Daisy West, Hon. Alaso Obi, Ada Omuma, Hon. Victoria, Nwokocha Chikeka; Hon Gloria Boma Harry; Mrs.Onyi Ile; and Hon. Okorite Adiele; amongst several others.
Key members of the State Campaign Council, including the Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly and Director of the Mobilisation Directorate, Hon. Edison Ehie; Zonal Coordinator, Rivers West Senatorial Zone, Chief David Briggs; Commissioner for Water Resources, Prof Kaniye Ebeku;member of the state House of Assembly and candidate for Asari-Toru State Constituency 2, Hon. Lolo Opuende; and others were on hand to give the women morale support.
On the sidelines of the walk was the exercise session, which was followed closely by scintillating performances by Jikume Bethlehem (Oshikiri 1 of Africa), Muma Gee and Holy.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.