Rivers

RSG, TAF Africa Launch Joint Initiative For Inclusive Governance

Published

8 months ago

December 1, 2025

The Rivers State Government has said that it is committed to strengthening its collaboration with TAF Africa to enhance inclusive governance across all strata, especially for Persons Living With Disabilities (PWDs).

The Head of Service, Dr Inyingi Brown, disclosed this at the opening of a two-day capacity building workshop for 31 Disabilities and Gender Desk Officers, organised by TAF Africa in Port Harcourt.

Brown, represented by the Director of Administration, Office of the Head of Service, Mr Chimenum Mpi, said that the State Government had nominated Disability and Gender Desk Officers across 31 Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in the state.

She emphasised the importance of collaboration between TAF Africa and the State Government on inclusive governance.

She commended TAP Africa for its continued partnership and unwavering commitment to building a society where no one would be left behind.

Brown described the training as a significant step in building a public service that reflects fairness, access, and dignity for all.

“Your work strengthens institutions, shapes policies and, more importantly, gives voice and visibility to PWDs across our nation,” Brown said.

She urged the beneficiaries to translate their experiences to better the State Government and society.

She further advised them to return to their various offices determined to drive real, practical change.

She said that the Office of the Head of Service remained committed to strengthening institutional frameworks that support inclusion.

“We will continue to partner with credible organisations, like TAF Africa, to ensure that public service meets global standards in disability inclusive governance,” she said.

Earlier, the Chief Executive Officer and Founder of TAF Africa, Mr Jake Epelle, said the collaboration between the Rivers Government and TAF Africa would strengthen accountability, promote inclusive policy implementation, and enhance service delivery for citizens with disabilities in the state.

Epelle commended the State Government for the establishment and nomination of the desk officers and approval of the training, which he described as a major milestone in the advancement of disability- inclusive governance in the state.

He said that the training was part of the Disability Inclusive Governance Project in Rivers, funded by the Disability Rights Fund.

He said that the training aimed at equipping the officers with practical knowledge, tools, and strategies to effectively champion disability inclusion within their respective MDAs.

According to him, the swift and affirmative response of the State Government demonstrates a renewed commitment to upholding the rights, dignity, and meaningful participation of PWDs in public life, as well as mainstreaming disability inclusion in government systems, policies, and service delivery.

Epelle said with the establishment of the desks and capacity-building programme, Rivers was charting a transformative path towards a government system that truly reflects disability inclusive.

He affirmed the oganisation’s commitment to supporting the State Government and Rivers people in achieving full compliance with national and international disability rights standards.

The Keynote Speaker, Dr Krakrafaa Bestman, emphasised the importance of inclusivity and diversity in governance.

Bestman underscored the need to include PWDs in decision-making, policy design, service delivery, and accountability.

He also highlighted the need for leaders to move beyond compliance towards excellence in practice, translating policy into measurable impact.

The event was attended by government officials, partners, and members of the Rivers public service with the aim of exploring ways to move from policy to practice in disability inclusion.

By: Grace Nglass

Rivers

Delta CP Seeks More Support From Traditional Institutions

Published

3 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.

Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.

He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.

“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.

“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.

In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.

The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.

The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.

Rivers

IAUE Senate Approves Leadership, Language Center Establishment

Published

3 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.

A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.

It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.

Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.

The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.

It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..

The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.

Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”

In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.

He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.

Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .

In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.

Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.

Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Tasks School Proprietors, Parents On Early Preparation

Published

3 weeks ago

July 3, 2026

The Tide

The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.

Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.

“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.

He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.

According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.

Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.

Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.

The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.

He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.

On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.

Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.

They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.

King Onunwor