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

Rivers

NDLEA Loses Officer, Arrests Six Suspects In Bonny Raid

Published

2 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been killed during a raid on a notorious drug enclave at Ama Hausa, Bonny Island, Rivers State, while six suspects were arrested.

The agency said a significant cache of illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk and tramadol, were recovered during the operation.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, the deceased officer, Chief Narcotic Agent, Sadiq Bako Mujahid, sustained severe head injuries when suspected drug dealers mobilised armed hoodlums to attack operatives during the raid.

Babafemi explained that despite the violent resistance, the operatives successfully apprehended the six targeted suspects, including the alleged gang leader, Genesis George Benson.

Other suspects arrested in the strategic operation carried out on Friday, February 6, 2026, were identified as ThankGod Okon, Shamsudden Isah, Muhammed Musa, Adamu Muhammed, and Muhammed Yusuf.

The agency described the Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island as a well-known hub for criminal activities and drug trafficking.

The statement further noted that the operation took a tragic turn when Benson allegedly mobilised armed hoodlums in a bid to evade arrest, leading to a confrontation with NDLEA personnel.

Mujahid was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in Bonny Island for emergency medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the bravery and resilience of the officers who carried out the operation.

Marwa said the operatives refused to be intimidated by criminal elements and ensured that the assailants were subdued and the illicit substances confiscated.

He extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer, his colleagues and the Rivers State Command, warning that any attack on NDLEA personnel would attract dire consequences as the agency remains committed to ridding the country of illicit drugs.

King Onunwor

Rivers

MOSIEND Seeks Potable Drinking Water In Opobo … Decries Absence Of Hospitals

Published

2 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Rivers State Government and Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Barrister James James, to provide potable drinking water for Opobo Communities.

The Group called on the State Government and Council Chairman to provide an affordable hospital in the area for pregnant mothers to deliver their babies.

The Chairman, Ibani/Opobo Clan, Comrade Favour Obani, and his counterpart in Kalama, Evangelist Anderson Africa, representing MOSIEND Eastern Zone, made this known in a radio programme, “Talk of the Town”, on Rhythm 93.7FM.

On lack of potable drinking water in Opobo, Comrade Favour Obani said Opobo people drink from river and well waters and sometimes buy satchet water from Bori Town for their daily consumption.

She expressed regret that Opobo Town had produced prominent personalities, such as the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, Director General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, and the present Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminilayi Fubara, yet lacks potable drinking water and modern hospitals and delivery centres.

Comrade Obani insisted that there is total absence of good governance and government presence in the entire Opobo Communities over the years, despite producing prominent politicians in the state.

On lack of hospitals and maternity in Opobo, Obani said pregnant mothers deliver their babies in untrained traditional birth attendant places which she described as harmful to modern day mothers.

She called on the Opobo Council Chairman, Barr. James James, to build modern market facilities for Opobo women to do business.

“We need empowerment and training of the youths across the communities in Opobo Kingdom”, she stated.

She also decried the absence of filling stations in Opobo, noting that motorists and villagers travel to Bori to buy fuel for their use.

On his part, Comrade Anderson Africa called on Rivers State Government to build shores protection in Opobo Town to protect their fast eroding lands.

According to him, Opobo need shores protection in Queenstown and Kalaibiama to protect the communities from extinction.

On NDDC street light installation in Opobo, Evangelist Africa said the street light is not enough to go round as the community needs more to light-up the communities.

He noted that Opobo Communities did not enjoy electricity during the Christmas celebration as most homes were on darkness.

“We need proper electricity in Opobo, we want to feel the real dividend of good governance and democracy”, he said.

Both Speakers from Opobo Clans blamed their sons and daughters who have held various political offices in the state for the backwardness and under-development witnessed in the communities.

They added that students and pupils in ancient Opobo schools do not have comfortable chairs and desks to write on.

According to them, the only presence of governance in Opobo is the road linking to the Town to Bori.

Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Ariks Air Divert Aircraft From Port Harcourt To Benin

Published

2 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Following a loud bang heard on the left engine of an Arik Airline, Boeing 737-700, with registration number 5N-MJF, the aircraft from Lagos to Port Harcourt has been diverted to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft, operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt, on Tuesday morning, was on descent into the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.

The airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, disclosed this in a statement, saying all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

The statement reads: “Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 (5N MJF) aircraft operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt on February 11, 2026, diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine.

“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident happened and as a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion to Benin.

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

“Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air”, the statement said.

The statement assured that Arik Air is committed to continue serving the public with safety consciousness and for ultermost care for passengers.

Enoch Epelle