Rivers
RSG Commits To Revamp Rehabilitation Homes
Rivers State Government has promised to revamp the different Rehabilitation Homes in the State for the overall social and mental well-being of the vulnerables.
The Commissioner, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Arugu Ilamu, made the promise during his official tour of the state-owned rehabilitation facilities including the Rehabilitation Centre, Iriebe, Motherless Babies Home, Remand Home and Safe Home, in Borikiri, Port Harcourt, recently.
Speaking to newsmen, Ilamu commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his tireless efforts in ensuring the smooth functioning of the homes stating that the Ministry under his administration would leave no stone unturned in expediting and implementing actions on the needs of the homes.
Ilamu explained that his visit to the homes was necessitated by the Governor Fubara-led administration’s top priority to cater for the welfare of the vulnerable in the State, which he said would be achieved by a firsthand information and knowledge of the happenings in the homes, assuring that the situation in the homes would be improved to meet the standards of rehabilitation homes.
In his words, “Upon resumption of office, I was briefed of our facilities and it is only right that I come and take a firsthand look at the place and get a firsthand knowledge of what is going on here.
“I want to begin by extensively thanking our dear Governor, His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, for providing the enablement to take care of these homes and children. He is doing a wonderful job and we are going to make sure we put in our best to accelerate the solutions to whatever problems we have come to see”.
Ilamu who stressed the importance of good mental state of the rehab patients insisted on fast tracking some of the protracted and lingered cases with a call on the staff of the different homes to shun laxity and live up to their duties.
“All the cases here that we know that want to go home and are qualified, please, do me a memo as fast as possible let’s see how we can fast track it and let them have their peace. This is because when you are not where you are supposed to be, it’s like a solitary no matter the environment. It’s your conscience, your heart, that is the most important thing. So, let’s fast track these cases”.
He noted that some of the facilities particularly the Safe Home were underutilised, saying “we will make sure that cases that are supposed to be referred here come here. So, please, all staff in charge, take this seriously”.
The Commissioner further noted the kind gestures of donors within and outside the state towards the homes regretting however that such efforts were not recorded for recognition and appreciation by the State government.
“I know that there are good Nigerians who help us in this work but they are not mentioned. They are not being appreciated and that should stop. From today, any Nigerian who comes to this home to donate one Kobo, we want to hear their names because we need to appreciate them publicly”.
“That is the only way we can show goodwill. People cannot come and donate things and nobody is telling them thank you. No society grows like that. If people notice that they are being appreciated, they will do more to assist the government because government cannot do it all on its own. We need to start to learn to tell people thank you”, Ilamu stated.
Some of the Rehab Patients who were there on account of drug abuse, drug addiction, accident, anger mismanagement among others insisted that their mental state had improved tremendously, courtesy of the homes.
They further commended the state governor and the ministry for the care and attention accorded them and prayed God to endow the administration with more grace and progress.
Ilamu was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Justina Jumbo alongside other Directors of the ministry.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), through its Directorate of Research and Development, has trained lecturers and Postgraduate Students on scholarly writing and research commercialisation.
The three-day Training Workshop, themed, “Research Commercialisation and Digital Project Supervision”, which kicked-off on October 13, 2026, provided an opportunity to strengthen lecturers’ research capacity, in addition to embracing innovative approaches to academic practice, according to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, which quoted the Director of Research and Development, Professor Nduka Wonu.
The Director noted that the discussions focused on supporting students and lecturers to improve academic writing and publication through effective mentorship and the development of publication-ready research teams.
It also focused on supervising research projects smarter with digital systems by leveraging digital dashboards, cloud collaboration and project tracking tools to improve supervision and feedback.
According to the Director, the discussions further “focused on setting standards for the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence among academics to promote academic integrity and guide the appropriate use of emerging technologies.
“Finally, on writing concept notes and grant proposals, identifying funding opportunities and building partnerships to strengthen research funding, collaboration, commercialisation and societal impact.”
These focus areas, he said, are essential for improving research productivity, strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing the University’s research profile.
Professor Wonu encouraged all to participate actively, share experiences and apply the knowledge gained in teaching, supervision and research activities.
While declaring the workshop open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, praised the Directorate for the training programme, which he emphasised is very important for research ethics and the growth of academic staff.
He encouraged staff to take advantage of research grants, to partner and collaborate with others, and to go into consultancy as a way of earning additional income and improving society.
He also encouraged those in Environmental Science and Oil and Gas related fields to involve industries in their research or work in conjunction with industries for exposure to modern research techniques.
Also speaking, the Local Organising Committee Chairperson, Dr. Anne Chidinma Williams, said the workshop explored practical ways to improve academic writing, develop grant concept notes and proposals, increase the visibility of publications, use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and strengthen digital research supervision.
She encouraged participants to turn knowledge into solutions that benefit the University and society.
Sogbeba Dokubo
The Rivers State Police Command has rescued a 24-year-old woman who was abducted on her arrival in Port Harcourt to meet a friend she met online.
The police also arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate accused of luring victims through online dating platforms.
Confirming the arrests, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Blessing Agabe, said the suspects had allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation.
The victim, identified as Chinyere, reportedly travelled from Delta State to Port Harcourt on October 3, 2026, to visit the acquaintance, but was allegedly kidnapped along Igwuruta-Etche Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The incident was reported to the police on October 4, 2026, at about 9 a.m., prompting the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, to direct operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Diobu, to investigate the case and secure the victim’s release.
The police operatives subsequently rescued the woman and arrested five suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping syndicate.
The suspects were identified as Gift Okeregwu, 23, from Okehi Community in Etche Local Government Area; Okeregwu Onyekachi, 27, also from Okehi; Bright Augustine, 27, from Akukabu Community in Etche; Chijoke Nwalozie, 35, from Akukabu; and Obinachi Rita, 26, the only female suspect.
The suspects were reportedly arrested at different locations following intelligence gathering and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the victim’s abduction.
She said information obtained from the suspects had also provided investigators with leads regarding other kidnapping incidents reported around the Igwuruta and Etche axis.
According to the police spokesperson, the suspects allegedly admitted using online dating platforms to establish contact with prospective victims from within and outside Port Harcourt before luring them into physical meetings and abducting them.
The development has raised concerns over the potential misuse of online dating platforms by criminal elements to identify, deceive and target unsuspecting individuals.
The Command advised members of the public to exercise caution when engaging with strangers online, particularly those who request physical meetings without sufficient verification of their identities.
It further urged residents to inform trusted persons of their movements when meeting people encountered online and to choose public locations for initial meetings as a precaution against possible criminal attacks.
The police reiterated their commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in Rivers State, urging members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal suspects.
King Onunwor
The Rivers State Association of The Deaf has called on the State Government to strengthen the implementation of disability rights laws, and construct more schools for deaf children in the state.
It also called for the expansion of employment and empowerment opportunities for persons with hearing impairments in the state.
The association made the call recently at the 2026 Deaf Awareness Week held at the Women Development and Skills Acquisition Centre, Eastern Bypass, Port Harcourt,
The week has as its theme, “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights: Advancing Deaf People’s Human Rights in Rivers State.”
The programme, organised by the Rivers State Association of the Deaf (RSAD), was aimed at raising awareness about the rights, welfare and challenges of deaf persons and promoting theirinclusion in governance, education, healthcare, employment and other aspects of society.
The South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Association of the Deaf, Henry Obotu, said one of the major challenges confronting deaf persons in Rivers State was their exclusion from government activities and inadequate access to public information because of communication barriers.
Obotu called for the effective implementation of disability rights legislation, stressing that deaf persons should enjoy equal opportunities and participate fully in public life.in public life.
He noted that government announcements and other important information were often disseminated without sign language interpretations, thereby making it difficult for deaf persons to understand issues affecting them.
Obotu urged media organisations to incorporate captions and subtitles into their broadcasts and public information materials to ensure that members of the deaf community were not left behind.
According to him, the establishment of specialized schools and learning centres for deaf persons, their educational and communication needs required appropriate attention and support.
Similarly, the Chairman of the Rivers State Association of theDeaf, Comrade So-oriari T. Beneth, called for greater government support for the deaf community, including skills acquisition programmes, employment opportunities and improved educational facilities.
Beneth expressed appreciation to the state government for its support for the association, but stressed the need for sustained commitment to the welfare and empowerment of deaf persons.
He identified education, economic empowerment and accessibility as key areas requiring government intervention, and urged authorities to provide adequate resources for schools serving deaf students and expand vocational training and employment opportunities.
According to him, investing in the deaf community would enable its members to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the development of Rivers State.
Godslove Justice, Sunday Naomi &Christopher Kelechi
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