Rivers
UNIPORT Senate Appoints 3 New Deputy Vice-Chancellors
The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has announced the appointment of three new Deputy Vice-Chancellors following the completion of tenure of their predecessors.
The appointments were made during the 488th Extraordinary Meeting of the University’s Senate.
Those appointed are Professor Chukwudi Onyeasor, who emerged as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), taking over from the outgoing DVC after a successful term.
Professor Rosemary Ogu was elected as the new Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), in recognition of her outstanding service to the university and the academic community.
Also appointed was Professor Angela Frank-Briggs, who assumes office as Deputy Vice-Chancellor. Her specific portfolio will be confirmed in due course.
These appointments come as part of the university’s routine leadership transition, in line with its commitment to continuity, excellence, and effective governance.
The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Abraham Georgewill, congratulated the newly appointed DVCs and expressed confidence in their ability to support the university’s vision and uphold its academic standards.
Professor Rosemary Ogu commended the senate for seeing them worthy of the job, promising to put her best to development of the institution.
She also promised to engage her wealth of experience for the vision of the University and upgrade the School’s Standard.
Enoch Epelle
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The Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications says it has secured approval from the government for the fencing of the premises of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, publishers of the Tide Newspaper.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Sir Honour Sirawoo, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on him by Executive of The Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, further said the Ministry has also secured approval for the training of about one hundred information officers.
Sir Sirawoo said the ministry is working hard to start its online publication, adding that to this end, the Ministry’s website, which has been moribund for sometime now, is being revived.
According to him, “We are going to start an online publication. We feel that this ministry can generate revenue just like the media houses.
“Because the only difference between them and us is that we have a full administrative structure, and if we expect them to generate revenue, we should also generate revenue.
“I think they have commenced the process of working on the website.”
The Permanent Secretary further stressed the need for staff of the ministry and its parastataals to be regular at work, adding that the ministry under his watch will not condone absenteeism and lateness to work.
“You know that when you come to work, you must do the right thing even if you are my friend”, he warned.
He said Information Officers at the local government areas must work as a way to realize their expertise, adding that they must report events in their areas to enable the ministry properly inform people about the state.
Meanwhile, Sir Sirawoo has called for collaboration between the NUJ and the ministry.
“We must work together to see that we enlighten people on what is appropriate and what is not appropriate.
“I also want to say that as a union we serve the government of the day, even if you have to critique the government you must get your facts right”, he said.
The Permanent Secretary, who blamed successive leaderships of the union for the dilapidated nature of the NUJ Secretariat, said time has come for the union leadership to work out an arrangement whereby the union’s secretariat can be made to generate revenue and income for the union.
He said one way of doing this is by leasing the edifice to private investors for its management and maintenance.
Sirawoo congratulated the union’s leadership for the peaceful outcome of the just-concluded NUJ election and urged the leadership to work as a team for the realization of set goals.
Earlier, Chairman of the NUJ, Rivers State Council, Comrade Paul Bazia, described the posting of Sir Sirawoo to the Ministry of Information and Communications as a home coming.
Comrade Bazia expressed optimism that Permanent Secretary will do well in the ministry, especially with his background as a cub reporter who rose from the rank and file to a Permanent Secretary.
“You have grown through the ranks from a cub reporter to become a Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor, covered NDDC, and various beats.
“You rose to become chairman of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, Rivers State on two occasions, President of Sports Writers Association of Nigeria, and you have become a Permanent Secretary.
“You have vast experience on the field as a journalist, and you are in deployment to the Ministry of Information and Communications at this time”, he said.
Mr. Bazia said the NUJ under his leadership is working hard to change the narrative of the state, adding in doing this the state-owned media houses must be revived to meet up its responsibilities.
According to the Chairman, “We are going to showcase the areas where the state has strength and where there are investment opportunities.
“We plan to also host a media summit later in the year around September to also look at the opportunities that we have in the blue economy, the tourism sector”, he said.
John Bibor & Edidiong Johnson
Rivers
ANOLGA Sole Administrator’s Wife Distributes Seedlings to Breastfeeding Mothers … Calls for Home Gardens to Promote Sustainable Food Supply
Wife of the Sole Administrator of Andoni, Prof. Amiye Francis, has distributed seedlings to breastfeeding mothers in Andoni Local Government Area (LGA) aimed at promoting sustainable food supply and encouraging exclusive breastfeeding for six months.
The seedlings distributed included pepper, tomatoes watermelon and cucumbers.
In an event to commemorate this year’s Breastfeeding Week held at the Council’s Secretariat in Ngo Town, Prof. Francis advocated for home gardens as a means to ensure a steady food supply for nursing mothers.
She recommended that nursing mothers plant crops like yam, potato, plantain, and pepper in containers or backyards, to promote self-reliance and healthy eating habits.
On his part, the Medical Officer of Health, Andoni Local Government Area, Dr. Mbaba Mbatumu, emphasized the significance of breastfeeding in preventing health related sickness like type 2 diabetes, respiratory infections, and obesity in infants.
Dr. Mbatumu also highlighted the benefits of breastfeeding, including its cost-effectiveness and the bonding it fosters between mother and child, and encouraged mothers to exclusively breastfeed, emphasizing that, “breast milk is essential for infant nutrition and healthy growth.”
To sustain breastfeeding, the health expert advocated for the formation of support groups and encouraged communities to make breastfeeding a norm.
Mbatumu also noted that the focus of this year’s theme is on the critical role breastfeeding plays in creating a sustainable environment and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting breastfeeding practices, in line with WHO and UNICEF recommendations, which include early initiation of breastfeeding, exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and continued breastfeeding up to two years or beyond.
Responding on behalf of other beneficiaries, Zilla Goodness expressed gratitude to the wife of the Andoni Sole Administrator for spearheading the programme, which she noted has not only equipped them with knowledge on breastfeeding techniques, but also empowered them to care for their babies.
The World Breastfeeding Week, observed annually in the first week of August, had as its theme “Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support System”.
Rivers
Oil Resumption: FG Intensifies Confidence-Building Measures With Ogonia … As Assessment Team Tours Facilities
As part of the confidence-building measures agreed upon between the Ogoni people and the Federal Government, aimed at facilitating negotiations for resumption of oil exploration in Ogoniland, a high-level assessment team recently conducted an on-the-spot evaluation of key development facilities in the region.
The team was led by officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), comprising the Director of the Energy Security Directorate at the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), Hon. Ojukaye Flag-Amachree, Goodluck Ebelo, Special Assistant to the NSA, and Prince Austin Kabari, Secretary of the Energy Security Working Group.
Also in the team were Facilitators from the Ogoni Dialogue Committee (ODC), the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and its joint venture partners, as well as representatives from the Rivers State Government.
During the visit, the delegation inspected several critical projects, including the ongoing East-West Road construction, Nchia General Hospital, the proposed Industrial Park, Taabaa General Hospital, Terabor General Hospital, K-Dere General Hospital, the Federal University of Environment Technology, Saakpenwa, the Center of Excellence for Environmental Restoration (CEER), and the Ogoni Specialist Hospital in Tai.
The primary objective was to review the progress in implementing the confidence-building measures outlined in the agreements between the federal government and the Ogoni community.
It also aimed to facilitate planning for future negotiations, rooted in the extensive consultations conducted by the Ogoni Dialogue Committee.
Addressing journalists during the visit, Ojukaye Flag-Amachree emphasized that the assessment was critical in identifying facilities requiring immediate attention, demonstrating the federal government’s commitment to honouring its agreements with the Ogoni people.
He said, “We have gone round all the various facilities. You are aware that the Federal Government and the people of Ogoni have been engaging in dialogue regarding the resumption of oil exploration here.
“Critical facilities were agreed upon to help build confidence in the Federal Government’s genuine initiative. We have conducted this assessment to identify what can be addressed swiftly.”
Said the federal government is “committed to fulfilling our part of the agreement and appreciate the community’s cooperation. We believe that very soon, oil activities will resume in Ogoni, bringing many benefits to the people.”
Chairman of the Ogoni Dialogue Committee, Prof. Don Baridam, praised the federal government, especially the National Security Adviser, for its efforts in implementing the confidence-building measures.
He acknowledged progress and expressed optimism about the upcoming academic activities at the Federal University of Environment Technology.
“When we met with the Federal Government earlier, we outlined several confidence-building measures, including the completion of the East-West Road, the enactment of the university bill, hospital rehabilitations, and youth employment in NNPCL.
“I am pleased to report that the East-West Road construction is going on speedily, amongst other initiatives. This progress makes us feel a sense of belonging”, he said.
Regarding the university’s academic calendar, Prof. Baridam, also the Pro-Chancellor of the university, expressed confidence that the institution would commence its first academic session by October 2025.
“We expect to start classes here at Saakpenwa before the end of October. We will return when the Vice-Chancellor is available to assess progress and finalize preparations”, he assured.
This visit underscores the federal government’s renewed commitment to fostering development, dialogue, and peace in Ogoni, with ongoing efforts aimed at ensuring sustainable growth and a peaceful resumption of oil exploration in the region.
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