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HYPREP Inaugurates Water Project’s WCA In Rivers Community

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The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) in conjunction with the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, has inaugurated members of the Water Consumers’ Association(WCA) for the Alesa community water project, provided by HYPREP.
The inauguration ceremony, which held at Aleto community’s Town Hall in Eleme Local Government Area recently, was performed by the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development, Barrister Patience Omereji, who was represented by the Acting General Manager of Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Dr(Mrs) Queen Amachree.
Eleven members of the Water Consumers’ Association were inaugurated at the event, with Rev Loveday Nwafor serving as the chairman of the association.For gender balance, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey, however, promised to expand the membership by later appointing two females into the body to bring the number to 13.
At the event, the former General Manager of Rivers State Small Towns Water Supply and Sanitation Agency, Engr Martins Mmeo presented a lecture, and highlighted the need for the WCA to ensure that the Alesa-Eleme water scheme is not only owned by the community but also make it sustainable. He also harped on the need for the water to be kept safe and clean at all times.
In his opening remarks, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Deinibarini Zabbey said the inauguration of the WCA marks a new chapter in HYPREP’s shared commitment to ensuring sustainable access to clean water for the people of Alesa, Alode, Agbonchia, Aleto and some Ogale communities.
According to him, HYPREP’s mission is clear: to restore the environment and community livelihoods, strengthen public health, and improve the quality of the Ogoni communities. “Today, we take a critical step in realising an aspect of the recommendations of the United Nations Environment Programme(UNEP) Assessment Report on Ogoniland”, he intoned.
Zabbey noted that the operational sustainability strategy for the water scheme in Ogoniland is robust, as the contractor handling the project runs it for a year upon completion, followed by two years of managing it by HYPREP, after which, the operations and management of the facility are transferred to the WCA and the Rivers State Ministry of Water Resources and Rural Development.
He further hinted that during the two years of HYPREP’s operation of the water scheme, members of the WCA are trained for effective management, including sensitising and mobilising beneficiary communities for ownership.
The Project Coordinator said establishing the WCA, with membership drawn from the benefiting communities is a cornerstone of HYPREP’s operational sustainability plan to sustain operations after completion, adding that it would replicate same across all its water facilities in Ogoniland.
He further indicated that HYPREP recognises that the long term success of its efforts hinges on empowering the community to take ownership and manage the resources and infrastructure it has put in place.
Zabbey reiterated that HYPREP would build the capacity of the WCA members and the wider community to manage and sustain the water facility effectively, contending that the association would be instrumental in ensuring the continued functionality and efficiency of the water infrastructure.
“By taking this responsibility, the people of Alesa and other communities serviced by this water scheme will be equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to maintain their water supply, address issues promptly, and safeguard this vital resource for future generations,” he said.
According to him, HYPREP’s commitment to the WCA includes comprehensive training programmes, technical support and other resources for effective management.
While thanking the leaders and members of the serviced communities and the people of Eleme Kingdom for their support and cooperation, Zabbey said their active involvement has been crucial in reaching this significant milestone, stressing that, “together, we are creating a legacy of community stewardship and wellbeing as we take ownership of and protect the water scheme”.
He, therefore, charged members of the WCA to embrace their responsibility with pride and dedication, saying, “the success of this initiative depends on the community and our collective effort and commitment”.
“The association is more than an organisation; it symbolises our shared vision for participatory shareholder engagement. HYPREP is doing its part, and we expect the communities to complement our efforts”, he said.
A member of HYPREP’s Central Representative Advisory Committee (CRAC), Rev Canon Abraham Olungwe said, in a goodwill message that there had been plethora of water projects in Eleme Local Government Area which he noted had gone moribund after some time.
He indicated that the water projects put in place in the area by HYPREP are durable and sustainable, for which reason, the WCA for the Alesa-Eleme water scheme was being inaugurated, to enable the various benefiting communities to own the water facility.
Olungwe, however, regretted that instead of the people to access and utilise the water provided to them, by paying little tokens as tariffs, they rather prefer to buy water from other sources, saying, this is in spite of the fact that the water provided by HYPREP is of global and international standard.
Also speaking, the King of Eleme Kingdom, Emere Philip Osaro-Obele thanked HYPREP for the water project and the inauguration of the WCA, saying he was happy with what the Project was doing in the area, and urged it to keep the flag flying.
The monarch, who addressed the participants through the Paramount Ruler of Alesa community, Emere J. D.Nkpe appealed to HYPREP to execute more projects in the Kingdom as well as create more employment opportunities for the people of Eleme.
In his speech, the Chairman of the Water Consumers’ Association, Engr Loveday Nwafor gave the historical background of water projects in the area, and listed several technical challenges facing the people, particularly in terms of the provision and supply of potable water to the area.
He solicited for the support and cooperation of the people, and promised that the WCA would deliver on its mandate.

By: Donatus Ebi

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450 Varsity Admins Undergo Specialised Training On Nigeria’s Higher Education

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The Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators (ANUPA) has announced the training of 450 members across the country as part of its ongoing efforts to improve administrative standards in Nigerian universities.
Chairman of the ANUPA branch at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Dr. Don Aalonee, made this known in Port Harcourt, Monday, during a two-day training session for members of the Association.
The theme of the training is, ‘’University Administration: Leveraging Technology and Innovation for Excellence.’’
Aalonee explained that ANUPA organised the training to ensure that administrative officers in the nation’s universities were equipped with up-to-date technological and innovative competencies to enhance their effectiveness.
He expressed confidence that regular capacity building for professional administrators in universities across the country would significantly contribute to the advancement of tertiary education in Nigeria.
“This training is designed to equip members with the relevant knowledge and skills to improve their performance.
“We deliberately selected topics such as Emotional Intelligence, Coaching and Mentorship, Student-Centred Administration, and Collaborative Leadership, in response to the demands of the present times”, he stated.
Other areas of training include Understanding the Role of Administrators in University Governance and Decision-making and Strategies to Sustaining Momentum and Overcoming Resistance to Change.
Aalonee emphasised that many junior administrators in tertiary institutions were yet to fully grasp the workings of the university system due to lack of coaching and mentorship.
“These junior administrators often feel disconnected from the system because their senior counterparts failed to invest in the training of those coming behind them.
“We aim to use this workshop to bridge the gap between the older and younger generations, enabling mentorship that supports mutual growth.
“ANUPA is committed to achieving this, so that when the older generation of administrators retires, they can confidently hand over to capable successors”, he said.
The union Chairman disclosed that about 450 members and delegates from 11 public and private universities were expected to participate in the programme.
He named participating universities to include UNIPORT; Bayero University, Kano; Abubakar Tafawa Belewa University, Bauchi; and Osun State University, Osogbo.
Other participating universities are the Federal University of Technology, Owerri; Bowen University, Osun; and the Nigerian Maritime University, Delta.
Aalonee noted that ANUPA had assembled leading local and international experts to serve as resource persons for the training, including current and former registrars from universities across the country.
The Vice Chancellor of University of Port-Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, said “the world is undergoing rapid transformation, requiring workers to adapt to the evolving global landscape”.
He noted that university administration was equally progressing towards digital transformation, artificial intelligence, global interconnectedness, and emerging model teaching, learning and research.
“Therefore, for university administrators to remain relevant and effective, they must cultivate a mindset that embraces technology, continuous innovation, and adaptive leadership”, he said.
Georgewill commended ANUPA for its vital role in advancing professional development of university administrators through strategic training and capacity building initiatives.
The Director of Student Experience at Cranfield University, United Kingdom, Ms. Alison Whaley, delivered a virtual session on coaching and mentorship.
In her presentation, she affirmed that administrators play a pivotal role in the success of any university.
Whaley stated that the role of a mentor was to assist mentees in developing insight from multiple perspectives, encouraging critical thinking and a developmental mindset.
According to her, mentors and coaches must be willing to devote time, possess leadership qualities, and practice active listening to impact their knowledge and guidance effectively.

Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

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Normalcy Returns In Ekpeye Kingdom After Protest

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Normalcy is said to have returned to parts of Ekpeye Kingdom following a tense standoff between local youth bodies and Power Gas Limited.
A statement by the Director, Information and Public Relations Unit of the Palace of the Eze Ekpeye logbo III, Anamoji B. Felix in Port Harcourt, said the early intervention of His Imperial Majesty, Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo saved the situation.
According to the statement, the protest was spearheaded by youths from Ogbele, Oshiugbokor, and Obumeze communities under the umbrella of the Ekpeye Youth Congress (EYC), which accused Power Gas Limited of marginalisation and failing to maintain a harmonious relationship with the host communities.
But the statement revealed that the timely response of the Monarch, nailed the situation.
The protesters alleged that the company had not initiated or executed any meaningful development projects in the area, despite years of operation within Ekpeye land.
Speaking during a reconciliatory meeting convened at the palace of the Eze Ekpeye Logbo III, the President General of the Ekpeye Youth Congress, Senior Comrade Justice Ewoh, lamented what he described as collective frustration of the youths.
“Power Gas Limited has failed to take our people seriously. For too long, they have neglected their responsibilities to the communities that host them. We demand inclusivity, development, and respect”, he said.
The impasse took a turning point when His Imperial Majesty stepped in and called for dialogue and mutual understanding between the parties.
According to the statement, the Royal Father urged both parties to commit to a constructive path and warned that continued tension could hinder both community development and business operations.
“Our strength lies in unity and dialogue. Ekpeye land must not be a place of conflict but of progress. We must demand accountability respectfully and ensure companies working in our land do not take our hospitality for granted”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Divisional Police Officer of Ahoada, CSP Chukwuma, has appreciated the youths of Ekpeye for conducting themselves responsibly and advised the company to expedite actions to swiftly address the issues raised by the youth congress.
Earlier at the deliberation, the company, through its Community Affairs Unit, denied all allegations levelled against it, saying that “no company in Ekpeye Kingdom has hired more Ekpeye youths than us”.
The company’s delegation, however, pleaded for more time to enable them relate to the top management of the organisation to address the situation.

King Onunwor

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Rivers SOLAD Urges Traditional Rulers To Protect Govt Facilities

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The Rivers State Sole Administrator, Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas (Rtd), has urged traditional rulers to take deliberate steps in securing government facilities within their domains.
Ibas made this appeal during the combined 121st and 122nd quarterly meeting of the State Council of Traditional Rulers in Port Harcourt, recently.
He said the meeting highlighted the need for unity and collaboration between government and traditional institutions to tackle state challenges.
The sole administrator emphasised the crucial role traditional rulers play in peacebuilding and called for joint efforts to address community issues.
He stressed the importance of securing government facilities from theft and vandalism and warned against protecting rulers involved in unrest.
Ibas assured traditional rulers of his commitment to partnering with them to improve the state’s prosperity and wellbeing.
The Chairman of the Rivers Council of Traditional Rulers, Eze Chike Worlu-Wodo, praised Ibas for promoting peace and development in the State.

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