Rivers
NIMECHE Tasks Govt On Science, Technology Education Dev
Rivers State Chapter of the Nigerian Institution of Mechanical Engineers (NIMECHE) has urged for more investment in science and technological education in the country.
State Chairman of the NIMECHE, Engr. Promise Jumbo, said this is necessary to fast track development in the country.
He stated this at the maiden edition of the Mechanical Engineering Students Competition at the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rivers State University (RSU) in Port Harcourt.
The competition was organised by NIMECHE in conjunction with the Department of Mechanical Engineering, 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 organized to enable the students showcase their talent and 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.
Noting that the participants were selected based on their CGPA, he said, “the programm 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 Engineering Department, but of all departments in the University.
He commended the State Chairman of NIMECHE for what he called the excellent idea, and urged other societies to emulate it.
Ikenyiri also called for more students to be involved in subsequent editions, urging students to keep themselves abreast of event to enable them participate in subsequent editions of the competitions.
“We are starting it here and with Mechanical Department in RSU. If you miss it here, we will go to the next school”, he stated, describing 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, even if it’s a token. But, for a student, it’s tangible.
“So, we want to encourage you. This first one, you are the luckiest because you’ll simple questions, 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 30 mins, but we will reduce it to 15mins, 3o questions in 15mins.
“You would have been 10 and out of it we selected 5, but now you are 5 and we will narrow it down. We need 3 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 explained.
Ikenyiri used the occasion to encourage the students, saying the programme is their own and not for the organizers.
“The prizes will be given to you on a plater of gold. Therefore, you have to be serious as everything necessary will be done right”, he advised.
He thanked the Head of Engineering Department of the University for encouraging the students to participate in the competition.
Ikenyiri charged the students to always comport themselves well anytime they are called upon, whether in Mechanical or Engineering programmes, adding that they should “dress well because that is the first criteria”.
Highlights of the event was the presentation of cash prizes to winners of the competitions.
Promise Kelvin Iray, who emerged the overall winner, went home with a cash prize of #70,000, while Moi Jessse got #50,000 and Obele Elera Benson cashed home #30,000, after emerging first and second runners-up respectively.
Meanwhile all participants got #10,000 consolation prizes and certificates.
Speaking after his emergence, the winner of the competition, Promise Kelvin Irayi, a final year student of Mechanical Engineering, said the competition was not a popular one and that he searched for it online but didn’t see any link.
He said, the HoD required them to be present and he decided to try, and, “to the glory of God, I emerged as the winner of the competition”.
He encouraged his fellow students to put in their best to enable them win in subsequent editions.
By: John Bibor & Eunice Ubelejit
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso