Connect with us

News

Nigerians Celebrate Odili At 70

Published

7 years ago

on

Prominent Nigerians from all walks of life yesterday gathered in Port Harcourt to celebrate the 70th Birthday of former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili for being a defender of sustained development of Nigeria.
Former Kano State Governor, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, former Edo State Governor, Lucky Igbinedion, former Kogi State Governor, Idris Wada, former Rivers State Governor, Sir Celestine Omehia, former President, Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi (rtd) and former Akwa Ibom State Military Governor, Col Bako (rtd) were joined by former Ministers, serving Senators, members of the National Assembly, traditional rulers, professionals and renowned jurists to pay glowing tributes to an outstanding political leader.
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike , his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, members of the Rivers State Executive Council, state Judiciary and Legislature members were among dignitaries who celebrated Odili.
In a public lecture organised in honour of the former Rivers State governor by the Rivers State Government under the leadership of Governor Wike, Nigerian leaders hailed Odili for investing his intellect and resources in building the country.
In a lecture titled: “Sir Dr Peter Odili: Defender of the Faith, Defender of the Fatherland”, former Attorney General of the Federation, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN) said the former Rivers State governor was an ornament of Rivers State.
He said: “Formerly, he belonged to Rivers State. He has ceased to be the property of Rivers State. He is now the property of Nigeria and the world”.
Agabi said that Odili was an outstanding humanist, who was courageous and committed to the growth of the country.
He said: “Whatever he has done is for the benefit of mankind. Whatever he has refrained from doing, it is in the interest of society”.
The former Attorney General of the Federation added that the former Rivers State governor used power to advance public good, noting that he never deserted his friends whilst in office. He noted that the array of guests celebrating him is a proof of his loyalty to them.
He called for the unity of the country where all Nigerians can work anywhere, irrespective of their state of origin.
Agabi called for the setting up of a National Integration Centre to build a united country.
He praised Justice Mary Odili for providing the right support for the former Rivers State governor to do exploits and be a blessing to all generations.
In an epilogue, Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Mr Yinka Odumakin said that at 70, the former governor and other men of goodwill should stand and work for revival of the country.
He said: “Except all men of goodwill should stand up to be counted. We may witness a major cataclysm in this country.”
Odumakin said the country has lost track and would descend into full blown dictatorship and anarchy, unless Nigerians check the slide.
Celebrant and former Rivers State Governor, Dr Peter Odili thanked God for his mercies and enabling him with the capacity to transform the society.
He commended Wike for organising the programme to celebrate his 70th Birthday.
He pledged to continue working for the advancement of humanity
Odili stated that the Rivers State governor was a committed nationalist whose message was critical to the development of the nation.
Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Sir Kenneth Kobani said that Odili was an indisputable political leader of Rivers State.
Chairman of the occasion, former President, Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdulahi said Odili has created a place for himself in the history of Nigeria.
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo said in a statement in Government House, Port Harcourt, that Dr. Peter Odili demonstrated an all-inclusive leadership style during his tenure as governor which positively impacted not only the lives of the Rivers People but other Nigerians alike without prejudice.
She described former governor as a statesman and the father of democracy in Rivers State, who used his position to mentor a new generation of leaders like Governor Nyesom Wike to fast track the development of the state.
Banigo, who wished him many happy returns, prayed the Almighty God to continue to bless and keep him in good health.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

6 days ago

on

November 24, 2025

By

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper,  7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin.  This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education.   We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic,  “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
Continue Reading

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council  trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

6 days ago

on

November 24, 2025

By

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
 Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
Continue Reading

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

6 days ago

on

November 24, 2025

By

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.

Continue Reading

Trending