Rivers
Registration Opens For 2025 ECL Quiz Competition In Rivers
The highly-anticipated 2025 edition of the Education Champions League Quiz Competition is now open for registration.
The organisers of the prestigious annual event, known for promoting academic excellence, critical thinking, and teamwork, made this known in their August Meeting, in a statement over the weekend.
The statement invites secondary schools across Rivers State to participate in the thrilling intellectual contest.
As a follow-up to the remarkable success of the 2024 edition, where the Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma, emerged champions, the organisers said the 2025 edition of the competition promises to be more exciting, with bigger challenges, new opportunities, and attractive prizes for top-performing schools.
The statement explained that interested participating schools can register their teams on the official ECL website at https://educationchamp.org/registration
The registration for the 2025 ECL quick competition will run from February 1 through February 21, 2025.
The statement reads in part, “As part of the process, schools must submit the names and recent photographs of their student representatives.
“Participating schools can make substitutions later if there are verifiable and compelling reasons”.
Explaining the rationale behind participating in the annual ECL quiz competition, the organisers said, “The ECL Quiz Competition is an avenue to showcase academic excellence – a platform for students to demonstrate their knowledge and analytical skills.
“It also encourages teamwork – providing students with the opportunity to develop leadership, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities.
“Provides recognition for participating schools and gives opportunity to win prizes and establish themselves as centres of academic excellence”.
The organisers said prizes for the 2024 edition include OB Lulu-Briggs Prize – ?10 million, sponsored by High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs, and won by the Federal Government Girls College, Abuloma, Rivers State, the winner of the maiden edition.
The Claude Ake Prize – ?5 million, was won by Seacrest Preparatory School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, the first runner-up and sponsored by Engr Adokiye Tombomieye.
Other prizes were the Boma Erekosima Prize – ?2.5 million, won by Aladumo International School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, as the second runner-up, sponsored by Torlowei Nigeria Limited; and third runner-up prize of ?1.5 million, which was won by Enitonna High School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and sponsored by High Chief Dumo Lulu-Briggs and Engr Adokiye Tombomieye.
They further added that participating schools can get more information from Mrs. Nkechi Amadi at +234 803 931 2400 and Dr. Lynn Ujiagbe at +234 810 854 2288.
The Education Champions League is a premier academic initiative designed to inspire young minds, promote literacy, and foster intellectual competition among secondary school students.
Since its inception, the competition has grown into one of the most recognized academic contests in Nigeria, empowering students and schools to strive for excellence.
The organisers concluded by inviting secondary schools in Rivers State and stakeholders in the education sector to “join us in making 2025 another unforgettable year for education and intellectual engagement. Don’t miss out – register your school today”.
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The Chief Medical Director of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), Prof. Chituru Godswill Orluwene, has identified brain drain and corruption as critical challenges confronting Nigeria’s health sector.
Orluwene, who made this known during a press briefing to mark his first 100 days in office, in Choba, declared that his administration is tackling both issues headlong as part of efforts to reposition the institution.
He noted that the stewardship session was aimed at rendering account of his leadership and setting a transparent benchmark for performance going forward.
“This 100 days is to render stewardship and give account of our activities, while we tackle corruption headlong within the system”, he said.
Addressing concerns over the exodus of medical professionals, the CMD said, poor working conditions have contributed significantly to brain drain, but that ongoing reforms are beginning to address these challenges.
He expressed optimism in the efforts of the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, adding that, Government is repositioning the health sector, especially in remuneration and infrastructure.
On corruption, Prof. Orluwene stressed, “We have taken decisive steps to block all financial leakages and ensure accountability in our operations.”
He disclosed that a staff verification exercise exposed irregularities, stating that “Out of over 4,000 staff on the payroll, only about 2,000 presented themselves for verification.
“As a result, over 1,000 salaries have been stopped due to discrepancies identified during the exercise.”
Highlighting policy reforms, the CMD said, feeding of patients has now been standardized at ?5,000 for three meals, while other charges have been reviewed downward.
On infrastructure, he said “The Accident and Emergency Department was in a poor state before, but today it has undergone massive renovation.”
Speaking on power supply, he revealed: “With the solar power project on ground, UPTH will soon enjoy 24-hour electricity supply. Our goal is to make UPTH a hub for medical tourism in the near future.”
By: King Onunwor
The Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation has revealed that it will consider new proposals by the University of Port Harcourt to engage its staff on refresher training and a state-wide database initiative for vulnerable persons, to ensure efficient service delivery and data-driven planning in the state.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Lauretta Davies-Dimpka, disclosed this when she received a delegation from the University of Port Harcourt, led by a Professor of Social Work and Community Development, Prof. Daniel Uranta, which also include some of his PhD students, during a courtesy visit to her office, Friday.
She described the visit as “timely to get our staff up to speed regarding current standards in social work practice”, and assured the visiting team that their proposals, including a one-month certificate programme for staff and a Child Rights Implementation/Enforcement Committee, would be reviewed.
She added that the ministry’s doors are open for collaboration and partnership, noting that with collaborative effort, social work will achieve greater impact and professionalism in the state.
Earlier, Prof. Uranta said the visit was to formally introduce himself and seek collaboration to strengthen the existing partnership between the university and the ministry.
He proposed four key areas of cooperation: refresher training for ministry staff, a one-month certificate programme on social work for staff, development of a state-wide database for vulnerable persons across the 23 Local Government Areas of the state, and strengthening of a Child Rights Implementation/Enforcement Committee.
The UNIPORT Professor noted that the proposals are aimed at improving case management and welfare response across the state.
The courtesy visit ended on a cordial note, with both parties expressing willingness to collaborate and review the proposals.
The Fishermen Association of Ogoloma Community has commended the Executive Chairman of Okrika Local Government Council, Chief Hon. Akuro Alfred Tobin, for his commitment to grassroots development and the empowerment of local fishermen.
The Association made the commendstion during a courtesy “thank-you” visit by members of the association to the council chairman, following the distribution of fishing equipment aimed at boosting productivity and livelihoods within the riverine community.
Speaking during the visit, Chief Tobin expressed gratitude to the fishermen for their show of appreciation, noting that their success remains a top priority of his administration.
He stated that the empowerment initiative through the provision of fishing canoes, nets, and hooks was designed to enhance economic activities and improve living standards in Ogoloma and other parts of Okrika.
“I am encouraged by your visit and your progress so far. This administration is committed to supporting our local fishermen to thrive. There will be a second phase of the human capital development programme, and we will do even more to uplift the fishing community,” the Chairman assured.
The Chairman reiterated his administration’s dedication to inclusive development, stressing that empowering local industries such as fishing is key to sustainable economic growth in the region.
Responding on behalf of the Association, its spokesperson, Elder Kaizer Kiniminabo, conveyed heartfelt appreciation to the council boss.
He acknowledged the impact of the empowerment programme on the fishermen’s productivity and welfare.
“On behalf of our matron, Hon. Linda Stewart Somiari, and Hon. Royal Ateke, we express our sincere gratitude to the Executive Chairman for his magnanimity and commitment to the well-being of fishermen in Ogoloma. We pray for the continued success of his administration,” Kiniminabo stated.
As a token of appreciation, the association presented gifts, including dry fish and other locally sourced items to the chairman, symbolizing their gratitude and support.
The visit highlights the growing collaboration between local authorities and community stakeholders in fostering development and economic empowerment across Okrika Local Government Area.
By: Michael T. Abraham
