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Violence Against Women: Banigo Urges Synergy
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. (Mrs) Ipalibo Harry Banigo has charged stakeholders in the women and children affairs to step up awareness on the issue of gender based violence against women in the state.
Dr. Banigo stated this at a stakeholders meeting held at her instance in Government House, Port Harcourt, on how to reduce the prevalence of cases of gender violence against women and stigmatization.
The Deputy Governor explained that the interactive meeting was to proffer solution on how to bring help and hope to those abused in different forms with a view to ameliorating their predicament.
She further noted that the forum afforded Stakeholders the opportunity to appreciate what each Ministry and Organization are doing and how to harmonize issues of public enlightenment and enforcement of existing legislation.
“The issue of gender base violence is huge and over- whelming. I want us to come together and see how best to salvage the situation because it is so bad. It is happening before our own eyes and we have to do something about it”. She stated.
Dr. Banigo lauded the various Organisations for working in different ways to reduce the menace of violence against women and children, adding that the coordinated involvement of the State Government would bring succour to the communities.
In their separate presentations, the immediate past President of Medical Women Association of Nigeria, Rivers State branch, Dr. Adebiyi Obelebra, Field Coordinator, Doctors without Borders, Dr. Imri Schattmez and FIDA representative, Ms. Enelusace Dan-Jumbo, said 332 cases of violence against women were reported between February and November 2015 in the state.
They noted that several cases of gender abuse are not being reported because of the culture of silence, feeling of guilt and stigmatization, and called for appropriate punishment for the perpetrators of violence against women and children.
High point of the meeting was the setting up of a three man Committee made up of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Special Adviser, Legal to the Deputy Governor and a representative of the World Health Organization to produce a communiqué that would form the basis for actualising the action plan.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Deputy Governor has felicitated with the sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and Chairman of the State People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Bro. Felix Obuah on his birthday anniversary.
Dr. Banigo, In a statement by her Press secretary, Paul Damgbor said Bro. Obuah has impacted many lives even before his political exploits in the State Stressing that his nickname ’’GO ROUND” was a true reflection of his gregarious, transparent and wide acceptance by the people.
The Deputy Governor lauded Bro. Obuah for redeeming the Party image and sanitising the state from the environmental mess and financial burden left behind by the previous administration who refused to pay refuse contractors for about 3 months and prayed God to continue to grant him good health and wisdom to serve humanity.
She urged Rivers people to support the RIWAMA boss in the renewed move by the state government to restore the glory of PH as the Garden city of Nigeria by keeping their environment clean always.
Meanwhile, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Mrs. Caroline Wali has called on the citizens of Etche, Omuma, Okrika and Ogu-Bolo Local Government Areas to take advantage of the week long Mass Administration of Medicine (MAM) as Preventive Chemotheraphy for Soil Transmitted Helminths (Intestinal Worms) and Lymphatic Filariasis (Elephantiasis) in these L. G. As.
The MAM exercise which is done in collaboration with the World Health Organization, (WHO) is for all residents of these areas from Five years and above.
According to the Permanent Secretary, the Directly Observed Treatment (DOT) which is on-going in these LGAs is important as the de-worming of citizens is the first step towards breaking the transmission of these neglected tropical diseases in the State.
Rivers State Deputy Governor, Prof. Ngozi Odu, has called for renewed commitment, transparency, and collaboration among stakeholders in the health sector in the State.
The deputy governor particularly urged synergy between the Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP) and the Primary Health Care Management Board towards improved healthcare delivery in the State.
?Prof. Odu made this call during the 2026 First Quarter Review Meeting of the Task Force on Primary Health Care at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday.
?She stressed the importance of honesty and urged all parties to be truthful and open in addressing challenges within the system.
?According to her, transparency remains critical to identifying and resolving underlying issues affecting healthcare delivery, noting that “if we are not truthful, we will not cure the disease, but merely cover it up.”
The deputy governor recounted a personal experience at a Primary Health Center where a patient, despite being duly registered under the RIVCIPP scheme with completed biometric capture, was still asked to make payment for services.
According to her, intervention by relevant authorities later confirmed the patient’s eligibility, exposing a communication gap between the scheme and healthcare providers.
Odu warned that such incidents could discourage community members from enrolling in the scheme, thereby undermining its objectives.
“When this happens, we are disenfranchising our people. The message that goes back to the community is that even when you register, you are still made to pay,” she stressed.
?While commending the leadership and staff of the Primary Health Care Management Board, Ministry of Health, Development Partners as well as other supporting units, for their efforts, ty deputy governor stressed that performance should not lead to complacency.
She urged stakeholders to continuously strive for improvement, raise standards, and leave lasting positive impacts within the system.
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The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has announced the opening of examination slip printing for candidates registered for the 2026 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
JAMB made the announcement yesterday, urging candidates to visit its website to download their slips ahead of the examination.
“Examination Slip Printing is now available. The slip contains details of the venue, date and time of your examination and gives you access to the examination hall,” the board said.
Candidates are to visit jamb.gov.ng and click on “2026 Slip Printing” to print their slips.
The development comes after JAMB dismissed a viral press release falsely claiming the examination had been postponed.
The board described the notice as “malicious and fake” and urged candidates to disregard it.
The 2026 UTME is scheduled to hold from Thursday, April 16, to Saturday, April 25, 2026.
The examination follows a mock test conducted on Saturday, March 28, which recorded technical difficulties at some Computer-Based Test centres.
Of the 224,597 candidates who registered for the mock, 152,586 sat for the test across 989 CBT centres nationwide.
JAMB said over 20 centres were delisted for technical inadequacies.
The board also warned candidates against fraudsters on WhatsApp claiming to facilitate score inflation, describing such claims as “false and criminal”, and threatening cancellation of registration or withholding of results for any candidate found involved.
Over two million candidates, according to JAMB Registrar, Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, registered for this year’s UTME.
News
RSU Unveils Five-Year Strategic Dev Plan …Calls For Collective Commitment To Institutional Excellence
In a decisive step towards redefining its future, the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has formally unveiled its Third Five-Year (2026-2030) Strategic Development Plan.
The development plan is a comprehensive roadmap designed to strengthen the university’s position as a leading institution in Nigeria and beyond.
The unveiling took place during a high-level engagement with the Governing Council, Principal Officers and the university congregation, at the Convocation Arena, recently.
Delivering his remarks at the unveiling ceremony, the Pro-Chancellor of the university and Chairman of Council, Hon. Okey Wali, SAN, charged all members of the university community to align their activities with the strategic direction of the institution, emphasizing that the success of the plan depends on collective commitment.
He noted that the plan is not merely a document, but a working framework that requires discipline, accountability and unity of purpose.
According to the Pro-Chancellor, only through coordinated efforts from all stakeholders can the university fully realize its vision.
“I hereby invite the Visitor to the University, donor agencies, friends and well-wishers, and all stakeholders to support and fund the implementation of this strategic plan. We are confident that this plan will take RSU to greater heights in the comity of higher institutions,” he said.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described the Strategic Development Plan as a document that would enhance the university’s corporate strengths, mitigate current weaknesses, leverage its corporate opportunities and address perceived existential threats.
“This Five-Year Strategic Plan sets out RSU’s goals, strategic objectives, expected outcomes and impact, including intervention strategies,” he said.
On his part, the Chairman of the Strategic Development Planning Committee, Prof. Emeritus Joseph A. Ajienka, noted that the 2026-2030 Strategic Development Plan represents a bold reaffirmation of the university’s founding ideals of excellence, creativity, innovation and inclusivity, aimed at positioning the institution to respond effectively to contemporary challenges in higher education.
Prof. Ajienka, who is also a member of the Governing Council, disclosed that the plan was developed through an extensive and inclusive consultative process, which he said reflects contributions from Faculties, Departments, Satellite Campuses and Administrative Units.
At its core, the plan seeks to advance the university’s vision of becoming a “unique and uncommon” institution that is structurally and philosophically oriented towards solving practical societal problems and ranking among the top ten universities in Nigeria.
The strategic framework identifies six key challenges confronting the university, including funding constraints, infrastructure deficits, limited research collaboration, and service delivery inefficiencies.
A statement by the university’s Acting Director, Corporate Affairs, Victor G. Banigo, further stated that the university has articulated four broad strategic goals supported by eight targeted objectives.
A central priority of the plan, according to him, is the strengthening of governance and administrative systems, alongside deliberate efforts to expand the university’s funding base. Others include enhanced alumni engagement, strategic partnerships and innovative fundraising initiatives aimed at ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
“Equally significant is the commitment to upgrading physical infrastructure across all campuses. Plans are underway to modernize lecture halls and laboratories, expand student accommodation, improve campus security and deploy advanced ICT systems to support teaching, learning and research.
“Recognizing that human capital is the backbone of institutional success, the university has placed strong emphasis on staff development, recruitment and productivity enhancement. Through targeted training programmes, mentorship initiatives and performance management systems, the plan aims to foster a highly skilled and motivated workforce.
“In addition, the university is poised to deepen its focus on research, innovation and entrepreneurship. By reviewing academic curricula, strengthening industry partnerships and establishing innovation incubation centers, Rivers State University seeks to translate research outputs into practical solutions that address societal needs and drive economic growth,” he said.
The PRO disclosed that the implementation of the strategic plan is projected at ?110 billion, reflecting the scale of transformation envisioned.
“While the university is committed to funding a significant portion internally, additional resources will be mobilized through government support, donor agencies, alumni contributions, and public-private partnerships.
“This multi-channel funding strategy aligns with the university’s broader goal of building a resilient and self-sustaining financial model capable of supporting long-term development,” he explained.
To ensure effective implementation, he said, “the plan incorporates a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, complete with performance and impact indicators. A mid-term review is scheduled within the first two years to assess progress and make necessary adjustments.
“Furthermore, the establishment of a dedicated Strategic Planning Office will provide oversight, coordination and accountability in executing the plan across all units of the university.”
According to the statement, “As the university embarks on this transformative journey, the message from leadership is clear: the Strategic Development Plan is a collective mandate.
“For staff, students, alumni and stakeholders, it represents an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the growth and advancement of the institution. For the university, it is a pathway to consolidating its legacy while embracing innovation and global relevance.
“With a clear vision, defined priorities and a united community, Rivers State University stands poised to translate this strategic blueprint into measurable progress, advancing knowledge, empowering people and shaping the future of higher education in Nigeria.”