News
RHI Education Support: Five Rivers Indigenes Among 200 Scholarship Awardees
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.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol
-
Niger Delta3 days agoWarri Airport Manager Disputes Air Peace Bird Strike Claim
-
News3 days agoNigeria Won’t Surrender Any Territory To Criminals -Tinubu
-
News3 days agoFG Begins Trial Of Over 600 Terrorism Suspects
-
Rivers3 days ago79th IAUE Inaugural Lecture: Prof Anero Advoctes Tuition-Free Education For Children
-
Politics3 days agoParties’ Deregistration: How Justice Lifu Overruled Appeal Court Justices
-
Politics3 days agoADC: Okonkwo Rejects Amaechi As Presidential Running Mate, Withdraws Support
-
Politics3 days ago2027: Tinubu’s Projects Give APC Edge In South East – Yilwatda
-
News3 days ago
Forum Expresses Confidence In APC Candidates’ Performance In Rivers