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Ibas Reaffirms Commitment To Quality Education In Rivers
The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, has reiterated the state government’s unwavering commitment to delivering quality education at all levels in the State.
He assured that no child will be left behind or denied the opportunity for academic advancement.
Ibas made the declaration last Saturday during the 35th Convocation Ceremony and 50th Anniversary Celebration of the University of Port Harcourt, held at the Chief Nyesom Wike Convocation Arena in Choba, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.
This was contained in a statement by the Administrator’s Senior Special Adviser on Media, Hector Igbikiowubo.
As part of the day’s events, the Administrator commissioned the Convocation Arena—an iconic structure completed under the administration of former Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike.
Ibas outlined the state government’s broader education strategy, which includes sustained infrastructural investment and increased funding for state-owned universities and sister institutions.
These efforts, he noted, aim to strengthen the institutions’ capacity to serve as centres of academic excellence and engines of hope.
“As Administrator of Rivers State, I reaffirm our unwavering commitment to education as a cornerstone of sustainable development. We will continue to support learning institutions from foundational to tertiary levels, ensuring that no child is left behind and that our universities remain globally competitive,” he said.
Ibas commended President Bola Tinubu’s visionary leadership and commitment to national rebirth, saying his far-reaching developmental strides have continue to inspire confidence across the country.
“On behalf of the government and people of Rivers State, I extend heartfelt gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, for his visionary leadership, commitment to national rebirth, and far-reaching developmental strides that continue to inspire confidence across the country,” Ibas said.
“His unwavering support for the education sector, and for efforts in Rivers State under the current emergency administration, has created an enabling environment for projects such as this to flourish,” he said.
The Administrator who described the University’s 50th Anniversary as “historic,” lauded UNIPORT’s enduring legacy of academic distinction, research innovation, and societal impact.
He encouraged the university community to build upon the foundation already laid with a renewed commitment to enhancing its global relevance.
“Today, we gather to mark five decades of academic distinction, research innovation, national service, and global relevance. Fifty years is a major milestone in the life of any institution.
“In that time, the University of Port Harcourt has grown from modest beginnings into one of Nigeria’s most respected citadels of learning, producing leaders, thinkers, scientists, professionals, and patriots who continue to shape the destiny of our nation,” he said.
Ibas also acknowledged the contributions of notable personalities awarded honorary doctorates at the event, including the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike; Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri; and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of TETFund, Alhaji Aminu Masari.
He praised them for their outstanding service to the nation and support for educational advancement.
Addressing the graduating students, Ibas congratulated them on their achievements and urged them to channel their knowledge and skills into practical, impactful contributions to society.
He also encouraged them to become change-makers and responsible leaders in their various fields.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, expressed pride in the institution’s 50-year journey of academic excellence and service to the nation since its establishment in 1975.
He announced that, as part of the anniversary celebration, the university is conducting its 35th Combined Convocation Ceremony, conferring a total of 13,861 degrees.
This includes 9,788 Bachelor’s degrees, 2,131 Master’s degrees, 208 Postgraduate Diplomas, and 934 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has intercepted 1.63 million pills of tramadol concealed in two long trailers heading for Kano as it intensified efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria corridor.
The agency also arrested an 80-year-old suspected drug dealer in Rivers State, a businesswoman linked to cannabis shipments from Canada, a Chadian woman, a couple and other suspects in coordinated operations across Lagos, Edo, Kogi and Rivers states.
The NDLEA’s Director of Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement, yesterday.
According to the statement, the latest intelligence-led operation came barely one week after NDLEA operatives recovered 558,900 pills of tramadol concealed in the false-bottom compartment of a truck that entered Lagos through the Togo-Benin Republic route.
Babafemi said, “Ongoing efforts to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking syndicate smuggling tramadol from Togo, through Benin Republic into Nigeria have yielded another success with the interception of two long trailers used to move One Million Six Hundred and Thirty (1,630,000) pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in fabricated compartments of the trucks across multiple borders into Lagos.”
He added that one of the two trailers was intercepted on July 2 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, where operatives recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor.
Babafemi said, “One of the two trucks already heading to Kano was tracked and located on 2nd July 2026 along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway where NDLEA officers recovered 853,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the trailer and arrested the 22-year-old driver Jabir Kabiru.”
He further disclosed that another trailer was intercepted two days later on the same route.
“Two days later, 4th July, NDLEA operatives acting on processed intelligence successfully tracked and recovered the second trailer from the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway while heading to Kano. A total of 777,000 pills of tramadol 250mg concealed in a fabricated compartment beneath the cargo floor of the truck were evacuated and the 22-year-old driver Muhammed Nuhu arrested,” the statement read.
According to Babafemi, investigations established a link between the three intercepted consignments.
He said, “Investigations revealed that all three trucks and consignments intercepted on 21st June, 2nd July and 4th July belong to the same transnational drug trafficking syndicate operating along the Togo-Benin Republic-Nigeria axis.”
The agency also intercepted 4.70 kilograms of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos.
Babafemi said, “Two consignments of Canadian Loud, a synthetic strain of cannabis, with a combined weight of 4.70 kilograms have been intercepted at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Ikeja, Lagos. The cargoes, which arrived the Lagos airport from Canada in cartons with ‘Odugwu’ boldly written on them, came aboard British Airways and Ethiopian Airlines flights on 24th June and 3rd July respectively.”
He said two cargo agents, Ali Rotimi Samson and Orimolade Oluwagbenga, were initially arrested in connection with the shipments, while another suspect, Edeh Onyeamachi Stanislus, was apprehended after arriving at a logistics company to take delivery of the consignments.
The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has denied claims that it has commenced registration for a purported ?50,000 National Support Allowance.
The ministry, in a public notice posted on its official X handle, yesterday, described messages, links and websites advertising the alleged programme as fraudulent.
It urged Nigerians to disregard such claims and verify information only through official government channels.
“The Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction has NOT commenced registration for any ?50,000 National Support Allowance,” the ministry said.
It added, “Disregard fraudulent messages, links and websites claiming otherwise. Verify any info only through official govt channels.”
The alert is in response to a circulating scam flyer that falsely claims the program is ongoing under President Bola Tinubu’s directives.
The fake advertisement, which includes text in Hausa and English, directs victims to a suspicious website (kluspz.com) for applications.
The ministry’s warning comes amid heightened concerns over digital fraud targeting vulnerable populations seeking social support.
Similar scams have previously surfaced around programs like N-Power, prompting questions from citizens in replies to the official post.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has expressed its preparedness for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
NLC President, Comrade Joe Ajaero, hinted at this while making his remarks at the commissioning of the Comrade Godwin Abumisi Pensioners Legacy House and Multipurpose Hall in Abuja.
Ajaero said it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
He advised workers and pensioners to get prepared for the ideological and economic battles that lie ahead.
According to the NLC president, “The Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP) is one of the proud affiliates of the Nigeria Labour Congress. Therefore, your struggle is our struggle, and your welfare remains a priority for the organised labour movement.
“We are currently in the preparatory stages for a major national struggle for a comprehensive review of the national minimum wage.
“However, let me state unequivocally that it is no longer acceptable to discuss the welfare of workers without also discussing the welfare of those who have completed their active years of service.
“Accordingly, the Nigeria Labour Congress will not only push for a new national minimum wage but will also demand the establishment of a national minimum pension. It is a historical injustice that men and women who devoted their youth, strength and productive years to the service of this nation should be condemned to live below the poverty line after retirement.”
Ajaero noted that the cost of living has risen astronomically as food, healthcare and transportation have become increasingly unaffordable.
“We cannot continue to allow our senior citizens to survive on pensions that have become poverty wages. Every retiree deserves to live with dignity after decades of faithful service to the nation,” he said.
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He urged pensioners across the country to remain united and prepared as the process begins, adding: “This Legacy House should not merely be seen as a physical structure; it should become a centre for mobilisation, strategic engagement and solidarity as we prepare for the struggles ahead.”
The NLC president pointed out that the working class has always understood that “those who exploit workers are united in advancing their interests. We too must remain united in defending our collective interests and ensuring that government fulfils its obligations to both serving workers and retirees.”
He said the completion of the project should serve as a clarion call to all workers and lovers of the masses.
“We must not only build physical structures but also build a strong movement capable of compelling government to honour its commitments,” he said.
Ajaero further stated: “We will continue to demand the immediate payment of all outstanding pension arrears and the implementation of a pension regime that guarantees every retiree a life of dignity and security.
“Together, we shall continue to fight until every Nigerian worker and pensioner receives the justice, respect and welfare they deserve.”