Rivers

NIMECHE Tasks Govt On Science, Technology Education

Published

2 years ago

November 29, 2023

The Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMECHE) has called for more investment in science and technological education in the country.
State Chairman of the institution, Engr Promise Jumbo said this is necessary to fast track development in the country.
Jumbo said this at the maiden edition of mechanical engineering students’ competition at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt.
The competition was organised by NIMECHE in conjunction with the Department of Mechanical Engineering of the Rivers State University.
Jumbo, who attributed the backwardness of the country to poor investment in science and technological education said time has come for governments to invest massively in the development of the sector.
He said the competition was organised to enable the students showcase their talents as well as encourage the spirit of excellence among them.
Jumbo described Mechanical Engineering as a vast field of engineering discipline and urged the students to put in their best to enable them excel.
He also urged the students not to allow any distractions, adding that it beholves on them to ensure that they put in their best by taking their studies seriously.
He said the participants were selected based on their CGPA.
In his words, “The programme is a maiden competition for final year students of Mechanical Engineering, Rivers State University.
“It is worthy to note that the students were selected based on their CGPAs but, they have over 70 of them and these ones were selected based on their CGPAs.
“So, we are going to administer a questionnaire to them and to get the best three out of them. And prizes will be awarded accordingly,” he said.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Engr. Goodluck Ikenyiri commended the institution for the programme, adding that it will instill the spirit of competition among students of not only the Engineering Department but of all departments in the university.
He commended the state chairman of NIMECHE for the excellent idea and urged other societies to emulate it.
Ikenyiri also called for more students to be involved in subsequent editions.
He urged students to keep themselves abreast of the event to enable them participate in subsequent editions of the competitions.
“If you have internet complier, go to Google. This is a regular thing.
“We are starting it here and with Mechanical Engineering Department in RSU, if you miss it here we will go to the next school” and described it as a surprise package for students.
“It is a surprise package, you may not have known that, there is an award to it but you will soon know at least even if, is a token but is tangible for a student. So we want to encourage you but this first ones you are the luckiest because is simple questions that you will answer and we will take the best three.”
“Secondly, you will be subjected to discussions; the first phase is what the department has done.
“The second is what we want to do which are simple questions. The timing was supposed to be 30mins but we will reduce it to 15mins, 3o questions in 15mins.
“You would have been 10 and out of it we selected five but now you are five and narrow it down we need three to get the awards so, you are a lucky group but we must do it diligently and we will mark it right here, then, finish up the whole thing today”, he said.
Ikenyiri used the occasion to encouraged the students that, the programme is their own and not for them the organisers, it is to help them and anything that is done here, it is sure that they have prizes and it will be better than that of the best graduating student of the department overall as they normally give .
According to him, “the prizes will be given to them on a platter of gold. Therefore, you have to be serious as everything necessary will be done right”.
He thanked the Hrad of Engineering Department of the University for encouraging.

By: John Bibor & Eunice Ubelejit

Rivers

NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

Published

5 hours 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

8 hours 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

8 hours 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