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RHI Education Support: Five Rivers Indigenes Among 200 Scholarship Awardees

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The unceasing encouragement given by wife of the Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara to nudging children to take advantage of available opportunities have led to five Rivers university students winning the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) scholarship award among 200 Awardees.

Awarded under the Education Support Programme of the RHI, the scholarship is to help the 200 benefiting Nigerian youths to access qualitative education and also pursue their studies to logical conclusion.

RHi, which is a brainchild of Nigerian First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and coordinated in Rivers State by wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, worked in collaboration with AUDA-NEPAD and African School of Economic to ensure that the scholarships are available to the beneficiaries.

At the unveiling of the recipients of the AUDA-NEPAD, African School of Economics and RHI scholarships programme at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, on Thursday, the five students of Rivers extraction were also presented with their certificates of award alongside the other 195 beneficiaries.

Speaking after the presentation of the scholarship certificates to the five students, wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, who was represented by a former Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon Tonye Briggs-Oniyide, expressed appreciation to the wife of the President, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for paying priority attention to the education of the youths in the country.

She praised the effort of the wife of the President to address the key needs of the people by laying a solid foundation for their future, saying that any initiative aimed at advancing the educational career of the youths would help catalyse the accelerated development of the State.

The team leader of the winning students, Kingsley Eke, who returned to Port Harcourt on Friday, explained that the experience was rewarding for the beneficiaries, who emerged purely on merit.

This, he noted, was because the winners had waited for feedback after they sent in their essays on designated topic, as entry for the completion together with copies of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) score slips and other documents.

Eke said, “I am the team leader that took them to Abuja for the award. At least, they did a lot for them, and the president’s wife promised and emphasised the need for this scholarship award, and at the end, said it will help them now and in the future.

“This went through a process and these winners are the first batch. The next batch will come in September. They are five awardees of the scholarship as seen now as pioneers of RHI, a programme of the First Lady that she is using to enrich and empower Nigerian children.

“The initiative will help them to actualise their educational goals to have competitive academic knowledge. There will be more selections because we are expecting the next batch, maybe soon.”

On her part, an awardee, Alfred Munachimso Precious, expressed excitement over winning the scholarship, adding that the award will propel her to concentrate more on her study without the worries of paying school fees.

“I give God all the thanks for this great opportunity. I didn’t know I was going to get this scholarship award.

“First, we just submitted WAEC, the essay and every other thing they requested, and to God be the glory. Through the opportunity from our First Lady, I got the offer. I am a student of Rivers State University, studying Medical and Laboratory Sciences.

“I want to say to our First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, a great thank you for what she has done. I also want to thank our First Lady, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara for this. I say a very big thank you to her.”

Also, Waribo Walter Fubara, who is studying Human Physiology at the Rivers State University, said it is by the grace of God that he was able to get into RHI Scholarship competition and won, and expressed appreciation to Senator Oluremi Tinubu and Lady Valerie Fubara for the great financial respite to him and his parents.

On his part, Blue-Jack Nelson Tamunotonye, said he is impressed with what he called a straight-forward and transparent selection process that has given him confidence of unimpeded finance to see him through study of Electrical and Electronic Engineering.

He said, “I recently just received a scholarship offer from the RHI Foundation. It aims at selecting the best 200 people in Nigeria, equally divided between the 36 States of Nigeria and the FCT.

“There was a very rigorous selection process, and I am actually very grateful to the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and to the First Lady of Rivers State, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, because without them, it won’t have been possible.”

Also speaking, Bright-Worlu David Chimenem, an awardee, said he is filled with gratitude to the wife of Rivers State Governor for creating the atmosphere for the award and to the First Lady of Nigeria for midwifing the initiative.

Speaking further, another beneficiary, Jack Adolphus Patricia Ibingo, thanked Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu and wife of Rivers State Governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for making her dream of successfully completing educational pursuit possible with the financial support.

She prayed for the initiative to be sustained to give other students, particularly brilliant but indigent children, the opportunity to realise their full potentials educationally.

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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