Education
Community seeks government intervention over Herders Occupation Of School
The people of Omerelu community in Ikwerre local government Area of Rivers state have called on the state government interventions over an alleged Herdsmen taken over the premises of community Secondary School in the area.
This state of the secondary school have left the students of the community displaced.
Speaking to journalists at Omerelu on the occupation of the school by the herdsmen , an opinion leader from the community , Mr Obinichi Amadi, briefed journalists shortly after the commissioning of the Egbeda–Omerelu Link Road by the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, recently .
Amadi claimed that the problem has persisted for months, but was renewed by commissioning of the road renewed which he said, called for urgent government attention.
According to him, the school which is strategically located along the newly inaugurated road has become unsafe as roaming cattle and herdsmen now occupy its classrooms, open fields, and access routes.
Reports have it that some students who attempted to access the premises in recent weeks confirmed that dilapidated buildings, broken desks, and the presence of herders have made learning impossible.
The Community leader further described the development as both an educational and security crisis.
“The takeover of the school by suspected herdsmen poses a direct threat to children and undermines the developmental prospects expected from the newly completed link road. We want Governor, Siminalayi Fubara to come to our aid”, he said.
He also pointed out that the school which was established to serve the Egbeda–Omerelu corridor, has suffered long-term infrastructural decay, creating the vacuum that allowed herdsmen to encroach on the premises.
He further explained that the community has repeatedly appealed for intervention and is now placing renewed hope in the Governor following the commissioning of the road.
“The irony is stark: while the state government has enhanced access into Omerelu with a modern road, the only major secondary school along that axis is non-functional and overrun by intruders. The road should lead not just to mobility but to meaningful development,” he said.
Meanwhile, student representatives lamented the collapse of their learning environment, citing leaking roofs, collapsed walls, overgrown bushes, and the absence of security as reasons many parents have withdrawn their children for safety.
Parents as it was learnt had warned against closing the school completely and added that it could force them to send their children to distant communities for education purposes.
As the newly commissioned road receives accolades, the people of Omerelu are issuing a clear and urgent call saying that the Government Secondary School, Omerelu must be rescued, rehabilitated, and returned to its students.
It was also gathered that the once-thriving citadel of learning has been in this deplorable state for nearly two decades.
By: King Onunwor
Continue Reading
The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt Rivers state has approved a special two-year amnesty for students admitted between the 2010/2011 and 2018/2019 academic sessions who were unable to complete their programmes within the stipulated period.
This was contained in a statement by the university public relations officer,Dr Sammy Kpenu and made available to the tide over the weekend in port Harcourt.
The statement stated that eligible students are expected to submit formal applications addressed to the Vice Chancellor through their respective Heads of Department for review and necessary consideration.
The statement further stated that the approval provides a renewed opportunity for affected students to return, regularize their academic status, and successfully complete their studies.
According to the statement the amnesty also offers a fresh opportunity to students who had issues related to overstaying or other challenges that forced them to discontinue their programmes, to return and complete their academic pursuits.
The statement however said that the deadline for submission of applications end on 31st May, 2026 and therefore urge the affected students to take full advantage of the window the amnesty provided to realise their academic dreams.
The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education will hold its 44th Convocation Ceremony on May 8 and 9, 2026, the University Senate has announced.
Executive Governor of Rivers State and Visitor to the University, Siminalayi Fubara, approved the dates.
The award of First Degrees and presentation of prizes will hold on Friday, May 8, while Postgraduate Degrees will be conferred on Saturday, May 9.
Chairman of Senate, Okechuku Onuchuku, announced the schedule during an emergency Senate meeting on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at the University’s Postgraduate Hall, Rumuolumeni.
Onuchuku also said the University Council had ratified the promotion of 35 academic staff to the rank of Professor and 41 others to the rank of Reader.
*The newly promoted professors are:*
*Administration and Management Sciences*: Ikechi Prince Obinna, Consumer Behaviour and Sustainability Marketing; Chukwu Godswill Chinedu, Consumer Behaviour and Sustainability Marketing; Joy A. Mekuri-Ndimele, Consumer Behaviour and Sustainability Marketing; Dumo Nkesi Opara, Human Resource Management and Organisational Behaviour; Lawrence Amadi, Entrepreneurship and Strategic Marketing.
*Agriculture*: Eunice Ngozi Ajie, Agricultural Economics; Godswill Ibom Wilcox, Production Economics.
*Education*: Emmanuel Okwu, Library and Information Science; Love Nwamadi, Counselling Psychology; Ali Beatrice Onyebuchi Amadi, Early Childhood and Primary Education; Jerome Ibejika Wosu, History and Policy of Education.
*Humanities*: Grace Hart Lawrence, African Religion and Cultural Heritage.
*Natural and Applied Sciences*: Worokwu China Roland, Science Education (Chemistry); Constance Izuchukwu Amanah, Algorithms and Software Engineering; Comfort Emma-Elechi, Community Health Education and Promotion; Wokocha Gideon Azubuike, Science Education; Glory Godspower-Echie, Science Education; Nwala Longinus, Science Education (ITS); Daso P. Ojimba, Mathematics Education; Nchelem Rosemary George, Mathematics Education; Dagogo Franklin Ibim, Applied Geophysics.
*Social Sciences*: Leelee Nwiibari Deekor, Development Economics; Nzidee Williams, Development Economics; Iwarimie B. Uranta, Political Theory and Methodology; Dennis Reuben T. Ukpere, Rural Development and Resource Management; Poroma Lekia Celestine, Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management; Ngeh David Baride, Sociology of Development; Ebenezer Levi Odike, Sociology of Development and Social Work; Goodnews Wabah, Medical Sociology; Nwikpugi Bright Poronakie, Regional Development Planning; Ikechi Omenihu Okwakpam, Environmental Management.
*Vocational and Technical Education*: Paulinus Emennu, Industrial Technical Education (Mathematical Option); Joseph Onwuakalaegbule.
*Print style notes:*
1. *Lead first*: Who, what, when upfront — dates in para 1
2. *Dateline*: PORT HARCOURT in caps
3. *Numbers*: Figures above nine written as numerals, per AP style
4. *Attribution*: “said” used, titles before names on first reference
5. *Tight lists*: Semicolons separate full entries to save space
6. *No fluff*: Cut “executive”, “dedicated to”, “featured” — verbs carry weight
By: Akujobi Amadi
-
Editorial2 days agoEnough Of Xenophobic Attacks On Nigerians
-
Nation2 days agoRSU, Otonti Nduka Foundation Holds Centenary Conference, Unveil Book on Values in Nigeria
-
Oil & Energy2 days agoRivers PETROAN Elects 12-Member Executive
-
Politics2 days ago
APC Group Protests Ex–Presidential Aspirant’s Disqualification From Rivers Senatorial Race
-
Politics2 days ago
Reps Speaker Secures APC Return Ticket For Fifth Term
-
Environment2 days agoMOSOP – Tinubu Not Sincere With Ogoni People For Oil Resumption
-
Sports2 days agoOparaodu Urges Rivers United To Win Katsina United
-
Sports2 days ago” Nigeria’s best domestic players are not in NPFL”