Niger Delta
Rep Member Lauds Oba’s Appointment As NOUN Chancellor
The member representing Ovia Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Rep. Dennis Idahosa (APC -Edo), has lauded the appointment of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, as Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), saying it has opened new vista for the institution.
In a statement issued last Saturday in Benin, he commended President Muhammadu Buhari, for the appointment.
Idahosa, who is the Chairman of the House Committee on Legislative Compliance, said the appointment came at a time when the distance learning institution was in dire need to turn around its fortune and become one of the best around the continent and indeed the world.
He noted that not only would the Oba’s wealth of experience come in handy in this quest, his fatherly role was also needed to galvanise this growth.
Idahosa said NOUN seemed to have been weighed down with a number of challenges, but expressed optimism that the appointment would bridge the gap among the conventional universities system in Nigeria.
The lawmaker particularly stressed the need for NOUN to improve on students access and use of ICT for efficient learning process.
“I can’t appreciate the President enough for this appointment because what he has succeeded in doing is to put a square peg in a square hole.
“Oba of Benin’s wealth of experience will count at this critical time when the demand for quality education, especially at the tertiary level, is in high demand.
“The demand for university education, especially for the busy Nigerians who desire university education was what necessitated the setting up of NOUN.
“The university has done a lot to bridge the gap between the conventional universities, but more still needed to be done for NOUN to operate at the standard of which it was established.
“This is exactly where the appointment of our revered Oba comes into play. His knowledge of what is obtainable in other clime and experiences in the Nigeria university system will come in handy.
“I can only appeal to the management team of the NOUN, who have also been doing their best for the progress of the institution, to cooperate and work with the traditional ruler for the betterment of all”, he said.
The Federal Government had announced the appointment of Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, as the Chancellor of NOUN.
The appointment was communicated to the Oba when Prof. Olufemi Peters, the Vice Chancellor of the University and other management staff paid him a courtesy visit at the palace in Benin.
During the visit, Prof. Olufemi had given insight into the workforce plan of the school and assured the Oba that fortunes of the university would improve tremendously with him as the Chancellor.
“The reason this university was established by the Federal Government is to bring university education to as many Nigerians, wherever they are and whatever their circumstances or social hindrances may be.
“We are in every state of this country, serving every area. We have over 120,000 students. It is the biggest university in Nigeria”, he had stated.
In his response, the traditional ruler accepted his appointment and commended President Muhammadu Buhari for finding him worthy of the position.
Oba Ewuare II promised to bring his wealth of experience to bear in the discharge of his duties and leverage on his experience during his diplomatic sojourn, to improve teaching and learning in the university with the support of its management team.
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.