Rivers
UI Alumni Want More Funding For Public Universities
The National President (Worldwide) of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association, Professor Gabriel Nyityo, has called for increased funding of public universities in the country.
Nyityo, who said this shortly after the election of Professor Emmanuel Emasealu and others as new executive of the Rivers State Chapter of the Association in Port Harcourt, said public universities need to be properly funded to enable them undertake more researches.
He observed that while some public universities are doing their best, some are set up as public infrastructures in communities.
According to him, “a university is a university, each one thriving in excellence, whether public or private, but in this tradition we first have public universities, and tradition die hard. So, we are always inclined to feeling that public universities are better because they have the capacity, both human and physical resources, and a good number of them are doing very well.
“But then, they are also public universities that are setup like social infrastructure facilities for rural dwellers. Those kind of universities, unless they upgrade, they remain social amenities for rural dwellers and so they are not global.
“However, there are also excellent private universities. Some are very small, but contributing their best and also big and they are also contributing their best.
“Though in Nigeria we do know that much of the research-based post graduate research are being done by public universities, so they are still leaders”, he said.
Nyityo also said while public universities are doing their best, their private counterparts are also doing their best, stressing the need for government to put more money in the public universities to enable them discharge their responsibilities to the society.
He said the University of Ibadan, which is the first in the country, will continue to lead the way in terms of innovation and breakthroughs in technological research, and described the Rivers State Branch as the most vibrant in the country.
Meanwhile, former Senator Andrew Uchendu, , and the former Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Simeon Achinewhu, have hailed the emergence of Prof Emmanuel C. Emasealu as the new Chairman of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Rivers State Branch.
The duo, who spoke shortly after the election, said the Rivers State Chapter of the Association has chosen the right person to pilot its affairs.
They also called for support to enable the new executive succeed.
The election was observed by the President of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Worldwide, Prof Gabriel Nyityo, and other national officers that included the association’s 1st Assistant Secretary, Chief Uchemadu Abosi, and a former UIAA President.
It would be recalled that Prof. Emasealu, who was recently inducted into the Academy of Letters, leads a new Rivers UIAA executive team that includes, Mr. Mitayire Ajari as Vice Chairman; Barr. Goodluck M Ezikwa, Secretary; Barr. Chinedu Asuzu, Assistant Secretary; and Obiageli Egwudike Igwe as Treasurer.
The rest are, Christiana Lango Kalu, Financial Secretary; Kelechi Nwaucha, Public Relations Officer; Victoria Owoleke, Social Secretary; and Barr. Sarah Emmanuel-Apia, Legal Officer.
The new Rivers UIAA Chairman, Professor Emmanuel Emasealu, later told reporters that the association is blessed with professionals and prominent alumni, who have and are still contributing to the development of the state.
“In the first place, I would like to observe that UIAA worldwide was very much represented at this occasion.
“That is a statement, a very loud statement about the seriousness of the association.
“Two, I would like to state that we have a group of committed individuals, notable figures in society”, he stated.
By: John Bibor
A former supervisory councillor for Health in Etche local government of Rivers state, Eld Chimezie Ogbu has been honoured with an excellent service Award by the Adventist men Organisation (AMO), Port Harcourt west mission.
Eld Chimezie Ogbu, received the award for alongside fifteen others for his contributions and support to the association and uplifting humanity.
Elder Chimezie Ogbu left receiving the Rivers west mission AMO Excellent Service Award from the former AMO Director and the former General manager, RSNC, Eld Vincent Ake during the extra ordinary meeting of AMO held at Rumuolumini, Sunday.
Speaking during an extra ordinary and end of year meeting, the Director of Adventist men Organisation, Port Harcourt west mission, Dr Sam Emejuru said the award was in recognition to Hon Ogbu’s contributions and support to the association, noting that Eld Chimezie Ogbu have been one of the sponsors of the Association in the mission.
Dr Emejuru who was a fomer chairman of the state secondary school Board noted invaluable contributions of the recipients to the association and the church at large and urged them to continue to be generous in the development of church and humanity.
In an interview with the tide, Hon Chimezie Ogbu, a serving elder in the seventh-day adventist church, Rumuolumeni District expressed appreciation to the Association, adding that the award will encourage him to do more
He highlighted the importance of investing in God’s vineyard and to help humanity and dedicated the award to God Almighty and members of his family.
Members of landlords of Ceenamore and Iroko Drives in Cedarwood Estate, Rumuaholu, in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, have urged the Inspector General of Police and the State Police Commissioner, CP Olungbenga Adepoju, to urgently act on the petition they sent to him regarding the alleged move by the Managing Director of Niger Delta Technology & property development Ltd, Engr. Stephen Nyegwa, to demolish their estate.
The group alleged that the MD of Niger Delta Logistics Limited had purportedly, through a court judgment notice, claimed that he had gotten an order to demolish the estate.
Speaking to journalists at the estate, Mr. Manuabuchi Elem Chioma, one of the affected landlords, said the call becomes very imperative following the continued harassment by Mr. Nyegwa and his associates, noting that they woke up and discovered that their houses have been marked for demolition.
Also speaking, Barrister Victor Okezie urged the police to act swiftly to save landlords of the estate from the impending problem, stressing that they are ready to comply if there is a confirmed valid court judgment.
Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) and the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) have inaugurated an ultra-modern, specialised Information and Communication Technology (ICT) centre in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, for youth empowerment in innovations.
The fully equipped ICT centre, located at Baptist High School in the city, was inaugurated as part of the close-out ceremony for the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme.
Executive Secretary, NCDMB, Mr. Felix Ogbe, stated this in a statement issued on Friday by the Manager of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs at NLNG, Mrs. Anne-Marie Palmer-Ikuku.
He described the ICT centre as a gateway to knowledge and innovation, as well as a window to future opportunities.
Represented by the organisation’s General Manager of Institutional Strengthening, Mr. Olugbenga Sheba, Ogbe explained that the project was designed to equip young Nigerians with digital skills to prepare them for a technology-driven world.
“The remodelled ICT centre is more than a building. It is a statement of belief that students here can learn coding, design, and innovation that connects them with the wider world.
“It represents our confidence that when given the right tools, Nigerian students can become creators, innovators, and entrepreneurs”, he said.
Ogbe commended NLNG for its continued collaboration with the NCDMB and its steadfast commitment to advancing Nigerian Content objectives.
He added that the partnership demonstrated what could be achieved through meaningful collaboration between government and corporate stakeholders, noting that such investments would help build a stronger and more prosperous Nigeria.
NLNG’s General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Dr. Sophia Horsfall, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to compliance with Nigerian Content regulations and its dedication to improving lives sustainably.
She emphasised that NLNG was passionate about enhancing human capital development and promoting technological inclusion, both of which were aimed at improving employability and industry-relevant skills among young Nigerians.
According to Horsfall, the project aligns with NLNG’s vision of empowering communities through education and technology.
“The upgraded ICT centre, which complies with existing NCDMB regulations, is an investment that provides students with a modern learning environment and equips teachers with improved tools to deliver quality education”, she said.
The Tide reports that the ICT centre has been upgraded to a 40-seater facility and equipped with 20KVA solar and inverter system.
The facility also includes renovated classrooms and administrative buildings, as well as digital smart boards and modern learning tools.
Meanwhile, Palmer-Ikuku, in the statement, announced the graduation of 30 trainees under the Human Capital Development Basic Training Programme jointly organised by both organisations.
She stated that the trainees earned international certifications after completing rigorous training in Engineering, Marine Operations, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE), and Entrepreneurship, among other disciplines.
According to Palmer-Ikuku, the training underscores the shared mission of NLNG and NCDMB to build local capacity, promote technological inclusion, and support Nigeria’s broader vision of sustainable development through education and skill acquisition.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
