Rivers

IAUE Gets Additional 17 Professors

Published

2 years ago

July 1, 2024

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State, now has a total of 114 Professors following the promotion of 17 new ones to the position, recently.
The promotion of the 17 new Professors followed the recent consideration and subsequent ratification of their promotion by the University Governing Council on Monday June 24, 2024 as recommended by the Appointments and Promotions Committee (A and PC) Academic Part 11.
The Chairman of Senate, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, disclosed this during the statutory Senate Meeting held last Wednesday at the Postgraduate Hall.
Those promoted to the professorial cadre are: Udechukwu Jonathan Ogon of the Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling. Professor of Educational Measurement and Evaluation, in the Faculty of Education.
Faculty of Humanities has: Glory Worukwo of the Department of English and Communication Art, who is Professor of Syntax and Phonology; Amala Peace Ibala of the Department of English and Communication Art, Professor of African Literature; and Grave Nelson of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Professor of Graphic Design and Art History.
The Faculty of Management Sciences has Anucha Victor Chima of the Department of Marketing, Professor of Marketing (Green Marketing).
In the Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, there are: Wokoma Okorinama Abarinkia of the Department of Biology, Professor of Environmental Management; Ojekudo Nathaniel Akpofure of the Department of Computer/Mathematics, Professor of Applied Mathematics; Pepple Tamunosisi Furo of the Department of Chemistry, Professor of Science Education (Chemistry); Ogbonda Clement of the Department of Physics, Professor of Solid State; and Eke Peter Ogochukwu of the Department of Physics, Professor of Applied Geophysics.
In Faculty of Social Sciences are: Sylvanus Amadi of the Department of Economics, Professor of Monetary Economics; Nye Oruwari of the Department of Economics, Professor of Public Finance; Naluba Nwiekpugi Goddy of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Professor of Regional Development Planning; Goddey Wilson of the Department of Political Science, Professor of Public Administration; Idoniboye-Obu Sakiemi Abbey of the Department of Political Science, Professor of Comparative Politics; and Michael Chukwunwike Uzorka of the Department of Sociology, Professor of Sociology of Development.
Concluding the 17 is Ann Ifeoma Asouzu of the Department of Home Economics, Hospitality and Tourism, Professor of Home Economics Education (Food and Nutrition), in the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education (Voctech).
There were also 22 upgrades to the position of Associate Professor (Reader).
Of the 22, the Faculty of Education leads with a total of six persons: Benebo Solomon Willielmina of the Department of Early Childhood and Primary Education, Reader in Early Childhood Education; Oji Emmanuel of the Department of Adult Education and Community Development, Reader in Community Development; Ephraim Kpeno Amon of the Department of Adult Education and Community Development, Reader in Environmental Adult Education.; Obindah Fortune of the Department of Educational Psychology Guidance and Counselling, Reader in Educational Psychology; Asuk Unyejit William of the Department of Educational Psychology Guidance and Counselling, Reader in Educational Measurement and Evaluation; and Emenike Amadi O. of the Department of Educational Management, Reader in Educational Management.
This is followed by the Faculty of Social Sciences, which had five upgrades: Ojima Davis of the Department of Economics, Reader in Public Finance; Asuru Chikanele of the Department of Economics, Reader in Development Economics; Nzidee Williams of the Department of Economics, Reader in Monetary Economics; Ajoku Bright Chika of the Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Reader in Regional Development Planning; and Deedam Dorka Godbless of the Department of Sociology, Reader in Sociology of Development.
The Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences took yhe next turn with four upgrades: Wagbara Onwudiwe Samuel of the Department of Chemistry, Reader in Science Education (Chemistry), Festus Chioma of the Department of Chemistry, Reader in Inorganic Chemistry Coordination/Organo Metallic; Orisa Charity of the Department of Human Kinetics, Health and Safety Education, Reader in Public Health Education,; and Owo Wisdom James of the Department of Integrated Science, Reader in Science Education (Chemistry).
Faculty of Management Sciences came next with three upgrades: Okpolosa Onyebuchi Mathew of the Department of Accounting, Reader in Financial Accounting, Nwekeala Benard of the Department of Marketing, Reader in Entrepreneurial Marketing, and Njoku Charity Chinasa of the Department of Office and Information Management, Reader in Human Resource Management.
Faculty of Humanities and that of Vocational and Technical Education (Votech) took the rear with two upgrades each: Nwombu Ugochukwu Kingsley of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, Reader in Arts Education; and Michael Blessed Thomas of the Department of History and Diplomatic Studies, Reader in Intergroup Relations and Socio-Political History Humanities), while Technical Education has Chiorlu Divine Onyema of the Department of Technical Education, Reader in Industrial Technical Education (Electrical/Electronics); and Robinson Reagan Nnabio of the Department of Technical Education, Reader in Industrial Technical Education (Electrical/Electronics).
While congratulating those elevated, the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, urged all to be their brother’s keeper.
He assured that he will continue to do good and be nice to all irrespective of their hatred, and prayed for those trying to tarnish his image with cheap blackmail, emphasizing that he is not moved or bothered as “a clear conscience fears no accusations”.
Professor Onuchuku informed that the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, has approved the recruitment of staff for the institution, 1,100 for teaching staff of Professorial cadre to Graduate Assistants, and 400 For non-teaching staff from Clerical to Administrative Officers.
He expressed gratitude to the Governor for the kind gesture and remarked that the Governing Council is working assiduously towards the exercise, adding that advertisement will soon be put up for Council to receive applications from would-be candidates
The Chairman of Senate enjoined staff to continue to carry out their duties diligently and reiterated that students who do not meet up the seventy percent class attendance will not be allowed to write examination.
The Senate approved results from the Faculties of Education, Humanities, Management Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, and Social Sciences.
Others include results from Community Service, Siwes and Centre for Continuing Education (CCE).

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

Niger Delta

CSOs, Bille Community Urge Solution To Persistent Underwater Gas Eruption

Published

8 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and the people of Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State have called for government’s urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.

The groups, under the aegis of the Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA), in Port Harcourt.

The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Mr. Kentebe Ebiaridor, said the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.

Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as “inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident”.

He said discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.

According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease (OML) 18 should be held accountable.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) had in a statement issued on March 20 by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said the commission had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in Bille Community.

Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.

Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Dr. Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency, if urgent steps were not taken.

Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the results of the tests reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.

He also said CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.

A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Mr. Commission Deinbo, had, on March 20, said residents had continued to witness unusual signs on the waterways in the area.

Deinbo said the signs included boiling and bubbling from the ground and river, sometimes within residential areas, as well as fire outbreaks, which the residents had always managed to contain.

He appealed to relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.

In a response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Mr. Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would relate its concerns to the appropriate quarters.

Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and concerns to community development in the state.

By: Wokoma Emmanuel & Theresa Frederick

Rivers

Dep Gov Seeks Collaboration, Transparency Between RIVCHPP, PHCMB

Published

11 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has called for renewed commitment, transparency, and stronger collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector, particularly between the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and the Primary Health Care Management Board.

She made the call today, during the First Quarter Review Meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care, held at Government House, Port Harcourt.

She emphasized the importance of honesty in addressing challenges within the healthcare system, urging all parties to remain open and truthful in their engagements.

According to her, transparency is critical to identifying and resolving underlying issues affecting service delivery.

“If we are not truthful, we will not cure the disease, but merely cover it up,” she stated.

The Deputy Governor recounted a personal experience at a primary health centre, where a patient, despite being duly registered under the RIVCHPP scheme with completed biometric capture, was still asked to pay for services.

She explained that intervention by relevant authorities later confirmed the patient’s eligibility, thereby exposing a communication gap between the scheme and healthcare providers.

Prof. Odu warned that such incidents could discourage community members from enrolling in the scheme and ultimately undermine its objectives.

“When this happens, we are disenfranchising our people. The message that goes back to the community is that even when you register, you are still made to pay,” she stated.

While commending the leadership and staff of the Primary Health Care Management Board, the Ministry of Health, development partners, and other supporting units for their efforts, Prof. Odu cautioned against complacency.

She urged stakeholders to continuously strive for improvement, raise standards, and ensure lasting positive impact within the healthcare system.

Rivers

Experts Converge To Tackle N’Delta Business Challenges

Published

11 hours ago

April 10, 2026

The Tide

As part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s economy, about 600 experts are billed to converge in Port Harcourt in a business conference to uplift middle-class businesses in the Niger Delta region.

The convener of the convergence, Lanre Oluseye, who disclosed this during a press briefing in Port Harcourt, said the conference, scheduled to hold in Port Harcourt for the first time, would equip middle-class businesses with the knowledge required to overcome challenges and scale up their businesses.

He explained that the convergence was conceived in response to challenges stalling business growth, particularly at the mid-level.

Oluseye noted that while Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) benefited from various interventions, middle-class businesses were often neglected despite facing significant constraints.

He added that the conference would bring together accomplished professionals and business leaders to mentor mid-level entrepreneurs on how to overcome barriers and attain greater heights.

“Convergence is a conference where thoughts, ideas and strategies come together to create a catalyst that enables business people to move to the next level.

“It is a platform that accelerates growth by bringing great minds together to chart a course for others to follow.

“Our objective is to move the Port Harcourt-based middle-class businesses to cross the barriers that are holding them down”, he said.

Oluseye continued that the conference, slated for April 18, would attract about 600 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) and middle-level managers to address business challenges in the Niger Delta through innovative ideas and strategies.

He emphasised that the event would not be a mere social gathering, but a knowledge-driven platform designed to transform participants and provide networking opportunities to enhance their businesses.

He assured that participants would gain new insights, build valuable networks and engage with like-minded professionals.

Oluseye further said that top industry leaders expected at the conference included the Managing Director/CEO of Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG), Leye Falade; former Minister of Finance, Kemi Adeosun; and the MD/CEO of Aradel Holdings Plc., Gbite Falade.

Others are Tope Aladenusi of Deloitte Africa; the Partner, Chief Economist and Lead, Strategy and West Africa, Segun Zaccheaus; and a global thinker and futurist, Olakunle Soriyan.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso