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Wike, Fubara Feud: Opobo Elder Statesmen Preach Peace …Urge Minister To Reciprocate Gov’s Peace Overture

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3 years ago

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A socio-political group in Rivers State, Opobo Elders Statesmen, has added its voice to the seeming feud between the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and canvasses the need for amicable settlement and resolution through peaceful dialogue, understanding and fair play. This is even as they appealed to the Minister to reciprocate Governor Fubara’s peace overture.
The group, which made its position known in a statement signed by its Chairman of Board of Patrons, Alabo Dr Reuben Meitamuno Saturday Jaja; and the Chairman of the Board of ExCO, Alabo Edwin Jacob Cockeye Brown, said from history, Opobo is known to be an Ijaw tribe of Ibani extraction with the track record of promoting peace and freedom through dialogue and constructive engagement in resolving conflicts.
“ Because we know that in every interaction between humans, problems or disagreements are inevitable, and must be resolved through peaceful dialogue, understanding and fair play,” it said.
It further noted that several groups had emerged pitching tents in the defence of the Governor and the Minister respectively, along ethnic and political lines, contending that the actions and utterances of these individuals and groups have impacted on the temperaments of both, in what it said is in a bid to bring about the timely resolution of the friction.
According to the group, “Even the silence and inaction of the others on the fence are also contributing to the resolution of the matter.”
To this end, it thanked all the individuals and groups, who have played various active roles in dousing the tension resulting from the conflict in the State, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark for mediating in the matter.
The group equally expressed delight that Governor Fubara has followed the path of reconciliation during his meeting with the Minister at the Rededication Service of the 2023/2024 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, November 9, 2023 where he noted that he has not “sent anybody to malign anybody,” saying, “the path of peace followed by the Governor is the manifestation of the quintessential peaceful nature and character of the Opobo man for which we are not surprised, and commend very much”.
It further indicated that both the Minister and the Governor are Opobo sons.
“ The Minister is an adopted son of Opobo who has made enormous contributions to the development of Opobo Kingdom. Consequently, we have actively related with all the stakeholders at the state and national levels to pursue the path of peace and fair play without heating up the polity. In the light of the above, we appeal to His Excellency, the Minister of FCT, the holder of the prestigious Opobo Kingdom title of Amafurotubo of Opobo Kingdom ( an Ijaw title meaning “ indigene or native” of Opobo Kingdom) conferred by His Majesty King Dr Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, CFR, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom with the symbolic Golden Key which regularly enables him entry into and exit out of the Opobo Kingdom, to reciprocate by accepting the Governor’s peace initiative in the spirit of Opobo brotherhood and family,” it said.
The group also condemned the unprofessional conduct of some members of the Police Force in the State during the protest that followed the impeachment saga, which led to injuries and deaths, and prayed the souls of the dead to rest in peace with the Lord.

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Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions 

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3 days ago

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July 3, 2026

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The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.
Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited  continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.
He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.
“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.
“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.
In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.
The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.
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IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment 

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4 days ago

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July 3, 2026

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The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.
It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.
Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.
The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.
It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..
The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.
Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s  profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”
In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.
He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.
Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .
In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.
Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.
Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation 

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4 days ago

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July 3, 2026

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The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.
Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.
“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.
He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.
According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.
Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.
Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.
The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.
He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.
On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.
Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.
They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.
King Onunwor
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