Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Nma Odu, has urged children to emulate the godly values, sacrifices and dedication of their parents, saying such virtues create legacies worthy of celebration.

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?Prof. Odu stated this during the 70th birthday celebration of Mrs. Compassion Dapa, at the White Jade Event Centre in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

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?The Deputy Governor congratulated the celebrant on attaining what she described as the “seventh floor,” noting that reaching 70 in good health and vitality was a remarkable milestone.

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?Prof. Odu, who described the celebrant as a woman of strong faith and prayer, said her life demonstrated the blessings that come from trusting in God and living in the fear of Him and commended her for raising nine children who had distinguished themselves in their various endeavours.

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?She also encouraged other parents to live exemplary lives so their children could one day speak proudly of them, as the Dapa children had done in honour of their mother and their late father.

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?“Let all of us that are here borrow a leaf from that, so that your children can proudly speak of you the way these children speak of their mother and their late dad,” she said.

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?The Deputy Governor described Mrs. Dapa as a woman whose presence brightened every gathering, praying that God would continue to sustain, strengthen and prosper her as she advances into her eighth, ninth and tenth decades.

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?In his remarks, the Chairman of the Occasion and former General Manager, Sustainable Development/Public Affairs, Total E&P Nigeria,  Dr. Vincent Nnamdi, described 70 as a significant milestone, saying the gathering reflected the love and appreciation of Dapa’s family for her sacrifices and upbringing.

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?He recalled his own mother’s influence on his character, stressing the important role mothers play in shaping their children’s lives.

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? In his welcome remarks, the celebrant’s son, Engr. Uche Dapa expressed appreciation to family members, friends and guests for honouring his mother, noting that their presence made the celebration complete.

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?He likened his mother’s steadfast love and presence to the enduring beauty of a sunset, describing her as “compassionate and very kind. Deep and yet very open. Tender and also very firm at the same time.”

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Primary and secondary schools across Rivers State will resume the 2026/2027 academic session today, the State Ministry of Education has announced.

The announcement was contained in a Public Interest Announcement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Dr. Mina Tele Ikuru, and dated September 3, 2026.

According to the statement, the resumption applies to all primary and secondary schools in the State, with both public and private institutions expected to commence academic and non-academic activities on the approved date.

The ministry directed all schools operating in the State to adhere strictly to the prescribed guidelines for the new academic session.

It further directed private schools to comply with the government-approved academic calendar for the 2026/2027 academic session.

The Permanent Secretary urged school proprietors, administrators, parents and guardians to take note of the approved resumption date and ensure compliance.

The ministry stressed the importance of all schools commencing activities as scheduled, as students and staff prepare for the first term of the new academic year.

The announcement brings to an end the long vacation, with pupils, students and teachers across the State expected back in classrooms from today.

Amadi Akujobi

Ndi Igbo Community in Rivers State has thrown its support behind the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, for the forthcoming 2027 election in the State.

The community made their position known at the ‘After August Meeting Solidarity Rally’ of its Women’s Wing at the Catholic Institute of West Africa, CIWA ground at the weekend.

Speaking at the event that was chaired by the immediate past Commissioner for Transportation, Rivers State, Prince Collins Onunwo; with the Rivers APC Women Leader, Hon Darling Amadi, as Guest of Honour, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Sam Nwaokolo, Eze Ndi-Igbo Gburugburu, Rivers State, said that his people have spoken with one voice that they would not want to play opposition politics in the state and have decided to endorse the candidature of Hon Chinda.

According to him, “The people said they wouldn’t want to be in opposition, and as a leader, I must follow my people; they said that for being residents and stakeholders in Rivers state, they cannot afford to play opposition politics. And as a father I will concur to that.

“I advise them not just to talk but follow with actions and we have sent a letter to convey the heartbeat of Ndi-Igbo community in Rivers state to O.K Chinda and Chief Nyesom Wike”.

Also, the President General of Ndi-Igbo Community in the State, Chief Emmanuel Anya, threw his support behind the Eze and the Community.

“What we have done is to showcase that Ndi-Igbo in Rivers is not a group to take lightly. We have the number, the people and the reach to make effective contributions in the State.

“This event is a special programme for our Igbo women; this is after they have returned from their August meeting, they celebrate amongst themselves and appreciate themselves.

“Ndi-Igbo community in Rivers State has decided not to play opposition politics. Ndi-Igbo leaders in Rivers state sampled popular opinions and said this is the direction we are going”, he stated.

The Woman Leader of the Community, Mrs Constance Onyerimma on her part, said she was toeing the path of her campaign promises to reposition Ndi-Igbo women in the state with a view to accessing welfare and empowerment opportunities.

She also said that the Community had decided to queue behind Chinda in the race for the state Government House.

“Today, apart from making our position known in the forthcoming state election, we empowered about 50 persons with Sewing Machines, Deep Freezers, Grinding machines, Generators, Hair Salon’s accessories of different kinds, Coolers and cash empowerment. All the women leaders in all the local governments received their special empowerments”, the Woman Leader said.

Earlier, Chairman of the occasion, Prince Onunwo, while declaring the event open, praised the love, zeal and resilience of the women, which he said were evident at the event, which was held as scheduled even under heavy downpour.

He charged them to exhibit obedience at all times, especially to their leader, whom they have demonstrated huge love for.

Highlights of the event include the ceremonial handing over of a key to the Government House to Rt. Hon. Kingsley Chinda through the chairman of the occasion.

Others were presentation of empowerment materials, parade by local government women’s wing chapters of Nd?gbo in Rivers state, cultural dances, drama presentation and teaching of ?gbo language.