Rivers
BoI, CloudNotte Task Educators On Strategic Funding For Dev
The Bank of Industry (BoI) Limited has called on school owners to embrace its robust plan to support schools across Nigeria with patient, innovative, and accessible financing.
The BoI Divisional Head, Medium Small Macro Enterprises (MSME), South-South, Mr. Pacqueens Irabor, made the call during a workshop, tagged “Educator’s Insight”, held in Port Harcourt.
Irabor said the bank’s plan was designed to drive national development and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
He said the workshop was organised by the bank, in collaboration with Cloudnotte Limited, adding that the event had the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools, with over 700 school owners and administrators in Rivers in attendance.
According to him, the programme aims to train and empower school owners with digital knowledge, skills, and tools to access MSME funds to improve learning and teaching in the country.
Irabor said the bank’s 2025-2027 Strategic Plan is focused on impact-driven development financing, structured around six priority themes under the acrostic D-MYGIC – Digital Economy, MSMEs, Youth and Skills, Gender, Infrastructure, Climate and Sustainability.
Schools, he explained, are uniquely positioned to help the bank achieve all the six focused areas of the strategic plan.
He introduced the project “Education Around Sustainable Enterprises” (EASE), a groundbreaking initiative, designed to transform schools from traditional learning centers into business-integrated environments, where students learn by doing.
“Project EASE proposes the integration of entrepreneurial ventures within school premises, such as digital hubs, agribusiness units, creative workshops, and clean energy labs.
“These ventures serve both as practical training platforms for students and additional revenue streams for school proprietors”, he said.
Irabor continued that the bank was ready to provide financing to schools for the acquisition of productive capital, including digital systems and educational software, solar energy solutions and inverters, and assets for commercial ventures and skills hubs.
He said the initiative was a strategic catalyst for achieving several UN SDGs, including SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 5 – Gender Equality, SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 13 – Climate Action.
He listed the benefits of the initiative as hands-on exposure to real-world enterprises for students, access to affordable finance for school owners, new income streams from in-school enterprises, and improved learning outcomes for parents.
Also, the Chief Executive Officer, CloudNotte, an education technology company, Mary Matthew, said the company understood the problems faced by school owners, including access to finance, and deemed it necessary to collaborate with BoI to provide funds to schools.
Matthew stated that the company provides schools with technology and organises capacity building programmes for school owners, leaders, administrators, and decision makers.
She affirmed that CloudNotte’s goal was to position Nigerian schools on a greater pedestal, enabling them to confidently compete globally.
“We are committed to empowering educators with digital tools and innovation to facilitate access to quality and inclusive education for all learners in Africa”, she said.
Matthew advocated for equity education and called on the Federal and State Governments to invest more on education.
“Governments are trying, but they need to do more. The private sectors are trying, but when you look at the government schools, there is much to be done.
“We call on the Federal and State Governments to step up. Government should empower schools and also ensure that they provide them with access to the basic amenities that they need in order to improve the delivery of education in Nigeria”, she said.
She advised school owners to leverage the BoI School MSMEs Loans to grow smart schools.
She also urged them to prioritise spending that drives learning and enrollment, maintaining emergency funds and spending.
On their oart, she advised school owners to use computer-based test (CBT) system for their exams to improve in external exams, such as Joint Admission Matriculation Board examination.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
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The Vice-Chancellor of Rivers State University (RSU), Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has inaugurated and sworn-in eleven newly elected Deans of Faculties, charging them to provide inclusive, transparent and people-oriented leadership across the University.
The ceremony, held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, marked the formal assumption of office by the new Deans following a university-wide election process.
Those inaugurated are Prof. John Ohaka (Faculty of Administration and Management), Prof. David Kiin-Kabari (Faculty of Agriculture), Prof. Barigbon G. Nsereka (Faculty of Communication and Media Studies), Prof. Isaac N. Dokubo (Faculty of Education), Prof. Enwuso Aleruchi Igwe (Faculty of Engineering), Prof. Paulinus W. Ihua (Faculty of Environmental Sciences), Prof. Jones M. Jaja (Faculty of Humanities), Prof. Grace Akolokwu (Faculty of Law), Prof. Ebirien-Agana S. Bartimaues (Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science), Prof. Ndokiari Boisa (Faculty of Science), and Prof. Emmanuel B. Okemini (Faculty of Social Sciences).
In his address, Prof. Zeb-Obipi expressed deep appreciation to the Committee of Provosts and Deans, led by the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Kenneth S. Ordu, for their sustained support and cooperation since he assumed office.
He also commended the Electoral Committee, chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Blessing R. Jaja, for conducting what he described as a free, fair and credible election.
According to him, the professionalism displayed by the committee has prompted Management’s decision to develop a formal Electoral Guidelines and Code of Conduct Handbook to guide future elections within the University.
Congratulating the newly elected Deans, the Vice-Chancellor noted that their emergence reflected the confidence reposed in them by their colleagues.
He urged them to foster unity, uphold mutual respect irrespective of rank, and ensure openness and accountability in the administration of their faculties.
The event climaxed with the administration of the oath of office by the Director of Legal Services, Barr. Tamuno Williams, followed by the signing of the Deans’ Register and the presentation of appointment letters by the Vice-Chancellor.
By: Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso
Fasthire Services, in collaboration with the Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA) and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria (CIPM), Rivers State Chapter, is set to organise a two-day career development and job creation event in Port Harcourt, from February 27-28, 2026.
The event, known as “Fasthire CareerFest 2026”, is expected to attract over 1,000 job opportunities, with employers actively recruiting across various sectors.
CareerFest 2026 is designed to be a high-impact platform that goes beyond a traditional job fair, and will also feature career exhibitions and professional guidance sessions, aimed at helping participants navigate career pathways, professional development, and long-term career planning.
There will be virtual sessions and industry conversations on February 27, and physical conference and job fair in Port Harcourt on February 28.
The hybrid event will feature three core components career and Industry Conference – keynote sessions, panel discussions, and fireside chats with HR leaders, business executives, policymakers, and industry experts.
The organisers said CareerFest 2026 is open to students, fresh graduates, job seekers, professionals, recruiters, business leaders, and anyone seeking career clarity, growth, or new opportunities.
They called on members of the public, employers who have vacancies and want to recruit, and professionals to register and participate in what is positioned as one of the most impactful career and employment-focused events in the South-South region.
The vision for CareerFest was originally conceived by Fasthire Services and has since received strong buy-in and strategic support from PHCCIMA and CIPM Rivers, reflecting a shared commitment to workforce development, youth empowerment, and sustainable employment.
Other strategic partners supporting the event include NTA, 3MTT, Google Developer Group (GDG) Port Harcourt, SMFest, and other companies and organisations that are committed to skills development, innovation, and employment creation.
With strong institutional backing, a clear employment focus, and a growing network of partners, Fasthire CareerFest 2026 is positioned to play a meaningful role in shaping careers, strengthening the workforce, and driving inclusive economic growth in Rivers State and beyond.
The Rivers State Police Command has raised the alarm over a disturbing rise in criminal activities involving individuals impersonating police officers and extorting members of the public across the state.
The Command described the trend as a serious threat to public safety and trust, urging residents to remain vigilant and security-conscious at all times.
In a press release by its Public Relations Officer, CSP Grace Iringe-Koko, in Port Harcourt, the Police said the suspects allegedly operate by dressing in black outfits and posing as law enforcement officers while setting up illegal checkpoints to harass and intimidate unsuspecting citizens.
According to the release, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, CP Olugbenga Adewole Adepoju, also expressed concern over the development and assured the public that decisive steps have been taken to curb the menace.
He said a robust monitoring and intelligence mechanism has been activated to identify, apprehend and prosecute those behind the criminal acts.
Police authorities noted that the actions of these impostors not only amount to extortion and impersonation, but also undermine the credibility of legitimate security operations within the state.
The Command warned that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
The statement further clarified that no police officer or security agent has the legal authority to stop citizens on the road or at checkpoints to search their mobile phones, laptops or other personal electronic devices.
Such actions, the Police said, are unlawful and should be resisted through proper reporting channels.
Residents were also cautioned against complying with demands to accompany any individual to a Point of Sale (POS) operator, bank or other financial outlet for the purpose of withdrawing or transferring money, as this is a common tactic employed by the criminals.
The Police Command also called on members of the public to be alert and to take note of their surroundings, especially when confronted by suspicious persons or hostile checkpoints that do not follow established policing procedures.
To strengthen community participation in tackling the problem, the Command provided several emergency contact numbers for immediate reporting of suspicious activities.
The numbers include the Complaint Response Unit hotlines: 07057605256, 08120822987 and 09035774814.
Additional contact lines include the Police Public Relations Officer on 09014273818 and the Command’s Control Room on 08032003514, all of which are available for prompt response to distress calls.
Security analysts have observed that impersonation of law enforcement officers has become a recurring challenge in urban centres, often thriving where public awareness is low.
They stress that timely reporting by citizens is critical in dismantling such criminal networks.
The State Police Command reassured residents of its unwavering commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property across the state.
It also appealed to the public to continue supporting legitimate police operations with credible information.
The statement further emphasized that cooperation between the Police and the public remains essential to ensuring a safe and secure Rivers State.
By: King Onunwor
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