News
40 Indigent Students Get Chapel’s Scholarships
Chapel of Redemption, a non-denominational chaplaincy at Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu in Port Harcourt, has awarded scholarship to 40 indigent undergraduate students in the university.
Chaplain of the church, Rev. Maxwell Ehirim said the gesture was part of the Church’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to her immediate environment.
Rev.Ebirim, said the church came to realization that many parents are finding it difficult in paying their children and wards school fees, because of the prevailing harsh economic realities in the country today, hence the scholarship award programme of the church was instituted.
“We need to assist some members of the church who are studying in the university. As a church, we don’t only indulge in prayers; we also take care of our member’s welfare to make life easier for them. My joy is that the students are doing well in their studies”.
According to him, the church is targeting 100 students in the nearest future, as he lamented the dearth of funds.
“This is the 3rd edition of the scholarship scheme of the church and it has been run back to back non-stop. We therefore call on corporates bodies and philanthropies to take some students on scholarship to finish their studies.
“We don’t joke with the welfare of our members, especially the students. Every Friday after mid-week service, we feed them before they leave the church premises. However, the university authority under the leadership of Prof. NlerumOkogbule, has been very helpful and supportive to us. The V.C, is like a father to us,” Ehirim stressed.
Preaching at the Sunday service, the Guest Preacher, Rev. Tunde Godwin, emphasised the need for the students to take their studies seriously and avoid social vices and always endeavor to obey the rules and regulations of the university, because basically that was what brought them to the university.
He commended the church leadership for spotting out 40 indigent students who are members of the church and decided to award scholarships to them in pursuit of their educational aspirations was very commendable and inspiring.
Speaking at the occasion, the Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University, Professor, Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, ably presented by the deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics) Prof. Valentine Omubo-Pepple, expressed gratitude to the leadership of the church for putting smiles on the faces of the indigent students of the university by reason of the scholarship given to them.
He however warned the students to make proper judicious use of the money for which it was given by paying and supporting their academic work in the university.
Prof. Omubo-Pepple promised on behalf of the university that next year, the management of the university, would key-in and support the scholarship programme of the church because its very laudable.
Omubo-Pepple, noted that the school management has of recent, been very much worried about the plights of some indigent students in the university; probably because of the prevailing harsh economic in the country and once more praised the church authorities for such laudable programme and expressed profound appreciation to the chaplain, Rev. Engr. Maxwell Ebirim, for his fore-sight and his desire to always help the poor in the society.
While appreciating the church authorities for the gesture done to their children and wards, one of the parents, Elder, Joseph Ojiwiri, from Omoku community, urged the students to always embrace God in their lives and be appreciative to God and to the church authorities.
He noted that it has not been easy for parents in training their children in higher institutions because of prevailing harsh economy in the country.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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