Rivers

IWD: Invest In Yourselves, Gov’s Wife Urges Women

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2024

The wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara has called on Rivers women and indeed all women to use the theme of 2024 International Women’s Day, ‘Count Her In: Invest In Women. Accelerate Progress’ to focus and pay more attention on themselves on how to better their lot by maximizing their potentials.
Speaking at an event organised by the International Association of World Peace Advocates (IAWPA), a world class organisation with the United Nations ECOSOC special consultative status, for the official observance of this year’s Women’s Day at the White Jade Event Centre in Port Harcourt recently, Mrs Fubara noted that the Day’s theme was apt and timely and charged women to always uphold the deliberate act of investing in themselves, be it in furthering formal education, developing new skills set or learning a trade.
According to her,” women must endeavor to shun idleness, gossip, malingering and always find something positive and productive to do regardless of age, social and financial capabilities, you all have something to offer”.
The Governor’s wife, who was represented by the State’s Commissioner for Women Affairs, Dr Roseline Uranta had noted that everyone, irrespective of gender deserved a fair share of life, to let out their voices and be heard. Women, she said, have from time immemorial been great pillars in achieving remarkable heights in the society.
“The International Women’s Day therefore, is of important essence to celebrate all women for the roles they play in bringing, nurturing and sustaining life. It’s a day that provides us the platform to discuss women’s economic inclusion, limited participation in political and public life, lack of access to education for the girl-child, gender-based violence, child marriage, child trafficking, harmful cultural practices and other challenges facing women”.
“It’s a day, she continued, ‘ to reflect on the progressive achievement, an opportunity to call for change, to celebrate the acts of courage and every achievement made by ordinary women, who made extraordinary things”.
Mrs Fubara added that in order to achieve gender equality, which is one of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations and one of the essence of Women’s Day, governments and society must ensure that the right responsibilities and opportunities of women do not elude them. Investing in women must be seen and taken as a human rights issue and considered as a social tool towards eradicating poverty.
The event which was organized by IAWPA to essentially celebrate women from different walks of life witnessed an impressive attendance by men, women, groups, corporate and social organisations.
Over 65 persons, including the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, Rivers State First Lady, Mrs Siminalayi Fubara, Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof Ngozi Odu and Senator Ipalibo Harry Banigo were among those recognized with awards and received the class of 2024 Eminent Peace Ambassadors, Mayor of Peace and Justices of Peace appointments by IAWPA.

By: Gabriel Nwanetanya

Rivers

NSE Members Tasked On National Dev

Published

5 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, have been urged to work hard towards contributing to national development. This call was made at the recent induction of new members by the Port Harcourt branch of the Society. The induction ceremony was used to formally welcome new members and celebrate its elevated new fellows.

Speaking during the ceremony held a in Port Harcourt, the Branch Chairman, Engr. Idaeresoari Ateke Harriet, FNSE, called on members of the NSE to actively participate in the Society’s professional and technical activities in order to contribute meaningfully to national development. He congratulated the new inductees, describing their admission as a testament to their hard work and resilience.

Engr. Ateke also commended the new Fellows for their immense contributions to the engineering profession, reminding them that their elevation is a call to greater responsibility as mentors and role models.

The event featured a lecture by Engr. Prof. Steve Odi-Owei, FNSE, on “Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.” The Chairman noted that Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources remain largely untapped, adding that engineers have a crucial role to play in harnessing these resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability.

He thanked the first female President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, other dignitaries, sponsors, and families of inductees for gracing the occasion.

Also, engineers, especially those in Rivers State have been advised to adhere strictly to the core ethics of the profession and to always uphold the professional ethics of the body.

This advice was given by an engineering expert, Basoene Benibo, in an interview with at the sidelines of the induction ceremony and Fellowship celebration of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

Benibo stressed the need for young engineers in the state to learn and improve on their skills by tapping from the wealth of experience of older professionals in the field to enable them excel.

Benibo, who is a one-time Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, also noted and hailed the efforts of the society in eliminating quackery in the engineering profession.

Some of the new fellows include Prof Jackson Akpa, Pereowei Jose’s and Telema Osima, while the inductees, Engr Mrs Lizzy Onwuso, Engr David Jonathan jnr and Worlu Emmanuel expressed joy in being found worthy to become full NSE members, believing that it would enable them have access to more knowledge, practice rightly and impact the society positively.

Rivers

VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro, has expressed deep commitment to the advancement of education and literacy in Nigeria through the library system.

Speaking through his state Chairman Dr. Chidara Okachukwu Nyemezu, at the formal Launching/inauguration of the Vanguard for Library Visibility And Advocacy (VALVA) at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt recently, Omokaro discribed the inauguration of the new body as a significant and passionate movement aimed at shining the spotlight on one of the underappreciated yet critical institution in Nigeria’s educational system and national development.

“We are gathered here not just to launch a group, but to launch a vision and ignite a movement to reinforce a mission to make libraries visible and valuable again for our people”, he said.

Dr. Omokaro stated that the birth of VALVA is based of the recognition that libraries, particularly school libraries, are the bedrock of promoting a reading and research culture that includes innovation and lifelong learning in the society, though the system is grossly underfunded and poorly equipped in many cases.

He recalled the theme of its first week under his watch, “Library System for National Development in 2022”, which he hinted was driven by the state chapters.

He explained that the inauguration of VALVA shows an important mission to promote the visibility and development with impact on schools and other libraries through strategic advocacy that will advance quality education and foster lifelong learning culture in Nigeria.

“The vision is clear to promote the visibility where every school and indeed every community will have access to a functional library managed by a professional Liberian”, he said.

Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the event, the founder of the VALVA, Dr. Juliet C. Akex-Nmec, stressed that no society can grow without a functional and effective library.

She urged government at all levels to ensure the establishment of effective and functional libraries across the country.

Dr. Alex-Nmec, who is also an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, called for the appointment of a Special Adviser on Library matters by the state government in order to assist the government on Library matters.

High point of the event was the formal inaugural of the new body and oath of offices to the new executive.

Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members

Published

5 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).

In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.

The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.

Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.

The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.