Rivers

Diaspora Ogoni Group Clamours For Educational Institutions’ Rehabilitation

Published

11 months ago

August 12, 2024

A United States of America (USA)-based group, “Gbaaloo Nyo-Khana”, has called on the Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, to embark on urgent rehabilitation of educational institutions within Khana Community in Rivers State.
According to a communique over the weekend, the group, made up of USA based indigenes of the community, lamented that the primary and tertiary schools in the community, Taabaa Hospital in Nyo-Khana, have been in a state of disrepair for a long time.
They noted that the deplorable condition of these educational and health care institutions are unacceptable and detrimental to the future of the youth in rhe community, and Rivers astate at large.
The communique, signed by the President, Gbaaloo Nyo-Khana Socio-Cultural Community Group, USA, Comrade Lebari Legah Nzidee; Secretary, Comrade Samuel L. Nwibana; and Public Relations Officer, Barineka Akponi, further urged the Governor to direct the Universal Basic Education Board (UBEB) to immediately assess and carry out necessary repairs and renovations in the schools, stressing that “education of children is a priority, and urgent action is needed to restore these institutions to standard”.
On the need for government to site projects in the community, the communique stated that “To curb the rising tide of restiveness and crime among the youth in Nyo-Khana, we strongly advocate for the siting of government projects within our community.
“Such projects will provide employment opportunities, engage our youth in meaningful activities, and help reduce crime rates.
“It is essential that our youth are given opportunities to contribute positively to society and build a better future for themselves and our community”.
Primarily, the group noted also that Nyo-Khana Community has been marginalised and overlooked in the appointment of key government positions in Rivers State.
In furtherance to appeal for peace and unity among political office holders, they called on all politicians and stakeholders in Rivers State, irrespective of party affiliations, to embrace oneness, for the overall happiness of the Nyo-Khana Community, and Rivers State in general.
“Political differences should not hinder the progress and well-being of our people. We urge everyone to work together harmoniously for the greater good of Nyo-Khana and Rivers State.
“As Gbaaloo Nyo-Khana USA, we are deeply committed to the development and progress of our homeland Nyo-Khana, Ogoni, and Rivers State as a whole.
“We pledge our full support to any initiative that will uplift Nyo-Khana and ensure its prosperity, Ogoni, amd Rives State.
“We have no other state to call home, but Rivers State, and we remain steadfast in our desire to see our community thrive within it”, the communique stated.
The group called on the Federal Government to initiate the process of creating a Local Government Area for Nyo-Khana Community, expressing the belief that the Nyo-Khana Community has grown significantly in population and influence, thus making it deserving of its own Local Government Area.
While advocating for a Local Government Area for the community, the document noted that “We hereby call on the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, to initiate the process of creating a local government area for Nyo-Khana.
They decried the non-inclusion in government functions over the years, noting that the community has been marginalised and overlooked in the appointment of key government officials.
“The Gbaaloo Nyo-Khana, USA, during its recently concluded meeting, has unanimously elected new executives to lead our association forward.
In addition to the election of these officials, several important resolutions were reached concerning the well-being and development of the community.
“We strongly appeal to Governor Siminalayi Joseph Fubara to recognise and appoint qualified sons and daughters from Nyo-Khana to positions of responsibility within the state government. This recognition is not only overdue, but also essential for fostering a sense of belonging and participation among our people.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

Rivers

NSE Members Tasked On National Dev

Published

5 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, have been urged to work hard towards contributing to national development. This call was made at the recent induction of new members by the Port Harcourt branch of the Society. The induction ceremony was used to formally welcome new members and celebrate its elevated new fellows.

Speaking during the ceremony held a in Port Harcourt, the Branch Chairman, Engr. Idaeresoari Ateke Harriet, FNSE, called on members of the NSE to actively participate in the Society’s professional and technical activities in order to contribute meaningfully to national development. He congratulated the new inductees, describing their admission as a testament to their hard work and resilience.

Engr. Ateke also commended the new Fellows for their immense contributions to the engineering profession, reminding them that their elevation is a call to greater responsibility as mentors and role models.

The event featured a lecture by Engr. Prof. Steve Odi-Owei, FNSE, on “Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.” The Chairman noted that Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources remain largely untapped, adding that engineers have a crucial role to play in harnessing these resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability.

He thanked the first female President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, other dignitaries, sponsors, and families of inductees for gracing the occasion.

Also, engineers, especially those in Rivers State have been advised to adhere strictly to the core ethics of the profession and to always uphold the professional ethics of the body.

This advice was given by an engineering expert, Basoene Benibo, in an interview with at the sidelines of the induction ceremony and Fellowship celebration of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.

Benibo stressed the need for young engineers in the state to learn and improve on their skills by tapping from the wealth of experience of older professionals in the field to enable them excel.

Benibo, who is a one-time Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, also noted and hailed the efforts of the society in eliminating quackery in the engineering profession.

Some of the new fellows include Prof Jackson Akpa, Pereowei Jose’s and Telema Osima, while the inductees, Engr Mrs Lizzy Onwuso, Engr David Jonathan jnr and Worlu Emmanuel expressed joy in being found worthy to become full NSE members, believing that it would enable them have access to more knowledge, practice rightly and impact the society positively.

Rivers

VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria

Published

5 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro, has expressed deep commitment to the advancement of education and literacy in Nigeria through the library system.

Speaking through his state Chairman Dr. Chidara Okachukwu Nyemezu, at the formal Launching/inauguration of the Vanguard for Library Visibility And Advocacy (VALVA) at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt recently, Omokaro discribed the inauguration of the new body as a significant and passionate movement aimed at shining the spotlight on one of the underappreciated yet critical institution in Nigeria’s educational system and national development.

“We are gathered here not just to launch a group, but to launch a vision and ignite a movement to reinforce a mission to make libraries visible and valuable again for our people”, he said.

Dr. Omokaro stated that the birth of VALVA is based of the recognition that libraries, particularly school libraries, are the bedrock of promoting a reading and research culture that includes innovation and lifelong learning in the society, though the system is grossly underfunded and poorly equipped in many cases.

He recalled the theme of its first week under his watch, “Library System for National Development in 2022”, which he hinted was driven by the state chapters.

He explained that the inauguration of VALVA shows an important mission to promote the visibility and development with impact on schools and other libraries through strategic advocacy that will advance quality education and foster lifelong learning culture in Nigeria.

“The vision is clear to promote the visibility where every school and indeed every community will have access to a functional library managed by a professional Liberian”, he said.

Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the event, the founder of the VALVA, Dr. Juliet C. Akex-Nmec, stressed that no society can grow without a functional and effective library.

She urged government at all levels to ensure the establishment of effective and functional libraries across the country.

Dr. Alex-Nmec, who is also an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, called for the appointment of a Special Adviser on Library matters by the state government in order to assist the government on Library matters.

High point of the event was the formal inaugural of the new body and oath of offices to the new executive.

Akujobi Amadi

Rivers

Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members

Published

5 days ago

July 11, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).

In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.

The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.

Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.

The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.