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Stakeholders Hail Wike’s Approval Of Three New RSU Campuses
Pleasant reactions have continued to trail the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike’s release of N16.6billion for the upgrading of facilities at the Medical College of the Rivers State University and the creation of three new campuses of the institution in Emohua, Etche and Ahaoda areas.
Reacting to the development, renowned economist and Lecturer, Prof Okey Onuchukwu, who spoke with The Tide in a telephone interview, yesterday, said it was a welcome development, given its futuristic ability of developing the area.
Onuchukwu pointed out that areas like Akuku-Toru and Asari-Toru, including the Degema axis would be positively affected when the campuses begin full operation.
He also noted that land in the area would soon appreciate in value, thereby, improving the economic lives of the people.
On whether the initiative was coming late or early, he said it came at the right time.
He further said that it would increase the people’s perception of life and as well boost their taste for education.
In his view, a businessman, Mr Pedro Akpaka, described the initiative as a worthy venture and a morale booster, adding that it would bring education closer to the people, given its presence in the rural areas.
“The initiative is worthwhile. I think is will help to encourage education among the people, since it is located in the rural area”, he said.
According to him, the Governor Wike’s gesture, especially the planned campus in Ahaoda, would create an everlasting bond between the people and Rivers State Government.
Another respondent, Barrister Emperor Nnaoma, averred that the plan would cause hybrid educational growth in all the three targeted areas.
Nnaoma said that most intending students from the three target areas for the new campuses would be tempted to study those courses offered in such campuses for the sake of proximity.
He, however, applauded Governor Wike for the vision, and pleaded with him to consider anywhere in Ikwerre Local Government Area, for the forth campus of the Rivers State University, if there would be such plans.
The Dean, Post Graduate Studies in the Rivers State University, Prof Adolphus Toby, said that the decentralisation policy of the state government to establish three campuses of the state university was a welcome development.
He noted that it would help check social vices amongst the youths.
Toby said that the plan by the state government to establish three more campuses of the state university at Ahoada, Emohua and Etche would take education to the grassroots.
“The Wike administration has shown commitment to education. It is not a question of promise. We are mobilized already,” Toby said.
He said the university community was elated over the development as it would help spread arms of the university across all parts of the state.
On his part, a social commentator and former caretaker committee chairman of Opobo/Nkoro LGA, Sir Boma Brown, said it would stir and attract built environment development.
He said “it will attract urbanisation and industrialization and most of the young people in the rural areas will be exposed to knowledge”.
He, however, advised that technical and vocational education should be introduced in the new campuses.
The Head of Department, Pharmacology, College of Medical Sciences (RSU), Dr. Woke Ekene, said, “It is a very good one. In fact, these are the kind of things we expect from our government. It will bring about development to the communities where the campuses will be cited. It will also reduce unemployment and youth restiveness”.
A Port Harcourt-based legal practitioner, Barrister Kingston Wordu, said, “Education is the bedrock of the society. If Governor Nyesom Wike has decided to invest in education with this sum, then, it is a good step. It means that Wike means well for this state. By the time the projects are completed, you will agree with me that they would be an all-inclusive project and with this university, education in the state will take a higher dimension”.
A Post-Graduate student of Medical Laboratory, RSU, Mrs Festa ThankGod, said, “It’s a welcome development. Taking the campuses to those areas will help stretch development to the areas. Definitely, there will be employment. It will also lessen the crowd in the main campus. But all these can only be achieved if the people in charge will make judicious use of the money”.
A civil servant in the state Ministry of Environment, G.P. Ijeije said, “This is a very solid step towards upgrading the state-owned university. The challenge, however, is that we are not maximizing our space. The main campus can be solidly built with high tech infrastructures, and these other spaces used for agricultural development and the likes’.
A medical doctor, Soibi Onengiye, said, “With this amount of money, RSU will be a state-of-the-art institution that can compete favourably with its overseas counterparts. Governor Wike has the state’s tertiary school system at heart. The only problem is the fear of the system we are in. At least, we can be sure that our children in that institution are in safe hands, among other benefits of employment and development”.
In his reaction, the Paramount Ruler of Okehi Kingdom in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Eze Stanley Munoye Ogbu said, the governor’s gesture has shown his administration’s unparalleled commitment to the development of the education sector in the state.
Ogbu described the move as a welcomed development, noting that the benefiting communities would be impacted economically, socially and politically.
He averred that the present administration in the state has written their name in the annals of the state, adding that the Wike’s administration would be remembered by posterity.
Also speaking, an architect, Chinwendu Nwubi described the gesture as a Valentine gift for the people of the state, saying that the move would fast-track development of the benefiting communities and decongest Port Harcourt metropolis.
Nwubi further opined that most people within the
By: King Onunwor, Amadi Akujobi, Susan Serekara-Nwikhana, Enoch Epelle, Kevin Nengia & Lady Godknows Ogbulu
Featured
RSG Approves Full Rehabilitation of State Secretariat …Unveils Housing Scheme for Civil Servants, Honours Veterans
Rivers State Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Eteh Ibas (Rtd), has approved the complete rehabilitation and modernization of the Rivers State Secretariat Complex to enhance efficiency and productivity in the civil service.
Ibas made the announcement at the 2025 Civil Service Week Gala and Awards Ceremony held at Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, on Wednesday,.
He disclosed that “initiative is designed to transform the secretariat into a modern, efficient and conducive work environment, directly supporting the civil servants who form the backbone of the state’s governance.”
The Administrator also approved the provision of 106 housing units for civil servants in the State.
Ibas paid glowing tribute to retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries, describing them as the bedrock of the state’s administration.
He stated that the awards ceremony was a symbol of deep appreciation for decades of sacrifice, resilience, and commitment.
“These interventions are designed to not only recognize your service, but also to improve your welfare in tangible and lasting ways,” the Administrator stated.
“We must build an administration that is efficient, effective, and truly citizen-centric,” he added.
The Administrator urged serving officers to draw inspiration from their predecessors and strive to make a meaningful impact in the lives of citizens.
He emphasized the importance of embracing innovation, technology, and continuous training to build a civil service equipped for the future.
The Acting Head of Rivers State Civil Service, Dr. (Mrs.) Inyingi Brown, in her welcome address, described the civil service as the “engine room of government” and expressed profound gratitude to the Administrator for his unwavering support and commitment to its modernization.“
“A society that does not honour its heroes is not worthy of emulation,” Dr. Brown remarked, lauding the retirees as torchbearers of discipline and loyalty.
She pledged to build on their legacy through reforms and innovation, projecting that the Rivers State Civil Service would become a model of efficiency and transparency by 2030.
Speaking on behalf of the retirees, President of the Association of Retired Permanent Secretaries, Sir Promise Njowhor,
expressed heartfelt appreciation for the historic recognition.
“For once, since the creation of the State, we are being honoured,” Njowhor said, adding, “Our morale has been lifted.”
He pledged the association’s continuous support for government programmes, describing the body of experienced retirees as a resource available to contribute to state development.
The rehabilitation of the State Secretariat and the new housing scheme represent a major investment in the infrastructure and dignity of public service in Rivers State, signaling a new era of support for the civil servants who drive the government’s policies and programmes.
The Tide reports that the Administrator also conferred awards of meritorious service on retired Heads of Service and Permanent Secretaries in the State
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has won 20 out of the 23 local government areas in the just concluded local government election in the State, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) clinched three local governments.
According to the results released by the Rivers State independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC), yesterday, the APC won the chairmanship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Opobo Nkoro, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana local government areas.
APC also won in Gokana, Tai, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche, Omuna, Akuku Toru, Asari Toru, Degema, Ikwerre and Emohua local government areas.
The Commission, however, said the PDP won in Port Harcourt City, Obio/Akpor, and Ogba Egbema Ndoni local government areas.
Chairman of the Commission, Dr Michael Odey, who announced the results at the Commission headquarters in Port Harcourt, said Ofori Owolabi of the APC scored 28,755 votes to emerge winner of the election for Abua Odual while Solomon Ochomma, also of the APC, emerged chairman elect for Ahoada East after scoring 54,509 votes.
Odey said Eugene Epelle also of the APC scored 84,125 votes to emerge winner in Ahoada West, while Bob Fubara was elected the chairman-elect for Akuku Toru after scoring 63,593 votes.
Similarly APC chairmanship candidate Lucky Otuo Promise emerged chairman-elect for Andoni after scoring a total of 126,181 votes, APC’s George Onengiyeofori emerged winner in Asari Toru after scoring 56,383 votes, while Pepple Blessing Abinye garnered 13,543 votes to emerge winner in Bonny Local Government Area.
Other APC candidates elected include Michael John Williams who scored 16,536 votes to emerge chairman-elect for Degema Local Government; Obarlllormate Ollor (77,452) for Eleme; Dr Chidi Julius Lloyd (114,380) for Emohua; Njoku Boniface (100,649) for Etche; Confidence Deekor (96,478) for Gokana, while Wobodo Charles got 62,746 votes to emerge winner in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
Other APC winners from the APC include Akuro Tobins (32,285 votes) for Okrika; Hon Obasi Uchechukwu (38,530) for Omuma; James A James (38,822) for Opobo Nkoro; Vincent Nemieboka (36,374) for Ogu/Bolo; Hon Mbakpone Okpe (70,080) for Tai LGA, while in Oyigbo, Okechukwu Akara scored 101,495 votes to emerge winner.
Meanwhile, the RSIEC chairman announced Dr Gift Worlu of the PDP with 328,823 votes to emerge winner in Obio Akpor; Shedrack Ogbogu, also of the PDP, scored 51,051 votes for Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Area, while in Port Harcourt City, Sir Alwell Ihunda garnered 235,054 votes for PDP to emerge winner.
The APC also cleared the councillorship seats in Abua/Odual, Andoni, Ahoada East, Ahoada West, Okrika, Ogu/Bolo and Khana, Oyigbo, Bonny, Eleme, Etche,Tai, Khana Opobo/Nkoro and Degema local government areas.
Similarly APC councillorship candidates also emerged winners in Asari Toru, Degema, Akuku Toru, Gokana and Khana while PDP cleared the councillorship seats in Obio/Akpor, Port Harcourt city, and Ogba Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Areas
Meanwhile, the Forum of State Independent Electoral Commissions has passed a vote of confidence on the just concluded local government election in the State.
National Chairman of the forum, Hon. Mamman Nda Eri, said this in an interview with newsmen in Port Harcourt.
Eri said all the chairmen across the country were in Port Harcourt to monitor the election as well as gain experience in an election under emergency rule.
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