Rivers

NIPR Seeks Nigeria’s Economic Recovery

Published

2 years ago

June 7, 2024

The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) has called on the Federal Government to take policy steps that will lead to economic recovery and transformation.
Chairman, NIPR, Rivers State, Rev. Francis Asuk, made the call at a walk to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the institute in Port Harcourt.
The event themed, “Walk for Economic Transformation”, which started from Polo Club, GRA, to the Isaac Boro Park, had members of NIPR Rivers, NIPR Students Association (NIPRESA), security agencies and corporate bodies joining in.
In his speech, the State NIPR boss, Rev. Asuk said the call became imperative as Nigeria is in dire need of economic recovery to improve on the living conditions of her people.
He observed that Nigerians the world over were succeeding in their professions, but a bad reputation was hampering her economic growth. Consequently, the need for Nigeria to rebuild her integrity, for which the NIPR is taking the lead in ensuring that the country regains her reputation among the comity of nations.
“Today, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations is beginning a road walk for economic transformation for our nation.
“In 2023, we attained 60 years. This celebration is to mark that event and accordingly the NIPR Governing Council, which is the body that oversees the regulation and the practise of Public Relations led by the President of Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku, supported by its members, are taking a road walk across the nation for economic transformation.
“NIPR has taken up the task of ensuring that we rebuild a better reputation for Nigeria”, he said.
Rev. Asuk decried quackery in Public Relations practise and called on organisations to always engage only certified Public Relations practitioners.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Commissioner for Health, Dr Adaeze Oreh, commended NIPR for the laudable initiative.
“These activities of NIPR are geared towards not just marking the institute’s 60th anniversary, but the commitment to it, and sustainable development which we are driving in advancing our Governor, Siminalayi Fubara’s health for all for Rivers people.
“The Governor’s health for all project is geared towards empowering the health, well-being and sustainable development for the good of the State”.
The NIPR Diamond Anniversary celebrations also featured a tree planting exercise in line with the Green Nigeria Initiative.
Stakeholders from the Rivers State Government, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh; Commissioner for Power, Solomon Eke; Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill; and traditional Rulers, Eze Upata of Upata Kingdom, Eze Felix Otuwarikpo; and Eze Gbaka-Gbaka of Evo Kingdom, King Leslie Eke, were on hand to plant trees of transformation at the NIPR Garden at the Isaac Boro Park.
Others include: the Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Olatunji Disu; Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps, Rivers State, Basil Igwebueze; Chairman National Orientation Agency, Young Ayotamuno; Head Corporate Communications, Indorama Petro chemicals, Dr. Jossy Nkwocha, and his counterpart at NLNG, Andy Odey; as well as fellows of the institute, who also joined in the tree planting exercise.
The NIPR 60TH Anniversary celebrations continued with a public lecture titled “60 years of Public Relations practice in Nigeria: Milestones, New Trends and Prospects” delivered by Prof. G. B. Okon at POWA Complex, Old GRA, yesterday.

Rivers

NDDC Provides Lifeline To Flood-Hit Ogu-Bolo Community

Published

1 day 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

1 day 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

1 day 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