Niger Delta

AELN Sensitises Students On Environment …Promises Them Scholarships

Published

4 years ago

June 11, 2021

The Association of Environmental Lawyers of Nigeria (AELN), has taken its awareness campaign to secondary schools in Rivers State, with a firm promise to offer scholarships to students, who successfully gain admission to study Environmental Law and Environmental Management in any of the country’s universities, as a way of motivating them to champion the protection of the environment.
The association, which gave this indication during the awareness campaign at the University of Port Harcourt International Secondary School, Mile 3, Diobu, Port Harcourt on Wednesday, also hinted that it would sponsor essay competitions on the environment in schools in the state.
The campaign which also featured a question and answer session saw the participating students, drawn from SS1 and SS2 classes, enthusiastically answering questions from the lawyers, who had earlier grilled them with thought-provoking tutorials centred on the environment.
Essentially, all the students, who correctly answered the questions posed to them were rewarded with specially customised notbooks, as a mark of appreciation for their efforts.
The National President of the association and Associate Professor of Energy and Environmental Law, Dr Samuel Chisa Dike; Rivers State Chairman of the body, Barrister Promise Iwezor; and the National Public Relations Officer, Barrister (Mrs) Judith Adeniji, took turns to lecture the students on what constitutes the environment and highlighted the need to protect, preserve and keep it clean at all times.
Speaking with The Tide in an interview, the National President, Dr Samuel Dike said the association took the campaign to schools in order to catch them young and to create awareness and actually make the students Green Advocates and ambassadors of environmental protection and cleanliness, as well as inaugurate them as such.
According to him, “the environment is our future and our pride”.
Dike also said that the awareness campaign was equally a way by the body to uplift the society, as government alone cannot do everything, including protecting and cleaning the environment.
He said the association was poised to take the awareness campaign to other schools in the state, and expressed delight that the programme was received with excitement and enthusiasm by the students of the University of Port Harcourt International Secondary School, noting that it was basically “to make them conscious of what we are doing and also make people know that there is need to protect and keep the environment clean.”
On her part, the National Public Relations Officer, Barrister (Mrs) Judith Adeniji hinted that she had taught the students the dangers of oceanic pollution, and stressed the need for young people to be inculcated the habit of not dumping wastes into drainages.
The Rivers State Chairman of the association, Barrister Promise Iwezor explained that the awareness campaign is taken to schools in order to catch them young before they actually get out of hand and control, adding that going by the performance of the students in the school visited, the objective of the programme had been achieved.
Also speaking in an interview, the Principal of University of Port Harcourt International Secondary School, Mrs Ngozi Emechala described the programme as great, saying, “We are now aware of our environment and the students are now aware of how to keep the environment clean and preserve animals like rodents instead of killing them”.
Emechala, who was visibly elated, said she had before now not heard of environmental lawyers but had been so captivated by the programme that she would like one of her children to be an Environmental Lawyer. She said the secret behind the outstanding performance of her students during the programme was the sheer fact that the school has qualified teachers.

By: Donatus Ebi

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

12 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.

Niger Delta

Remember Me As Fighter Against Sexual Harassment – UNICAL VC

Published

13 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The outgoing Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar (UniCal), Prof. Florence Obi, has said she will want to be remembered for fighting sexual harassment and delayed results.

Obi made the remark recently at an event in Calabar, organised by the university to mark the end of her five-year tenure as the 11th substantive Vice Chancellor of the institution.

It would be recalled that Obi, whose tenure expired on November 30, was appointed Vice Chancellor on September 10, 2020, but officially assumed office on December 1, 2020.

She said her commitment to protecting students, especially the female ones, remained one of her greatest achievements as Vice Chancellor.

She said, “I fought against sexual predators and ensured timely release of students’ results to curb frustration within the institution.”

While expressing fulfilment at completing her tenure and thanking God for enabling her finish strong after five years in office, she said she would return to the classroom because teaching remained her passion.

Earlier, she addressed staff and students outside her office during a carnival-like, marching out parade in her honour, thanking them for their support throughout her administration.

She also encouraged them to support her successor to enable him to succeed and take the university to greater heights.

“This institution has recorded significant growth and I am confident that my successor will advance the progress already made”, she said.

The Tide’s source reports that under her leadership, the largest solar power plant in Cross River State was built in UniCal, ensuring stable electricity for the university and its teaching hospital.

Other achievements included upgrading the Faculty of Education to a College, getting Mass Communication accredited and elevated to a Faculty.

Her administration also constructed new hostels, introduced departmental scholarships, built a fire service station, and completed the Law Faculty complex.

Niger Delta

Oborevwori Presents N1.664tn 2026 Appropriations Bill

Published

15 hours ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oboreveori, on Wednesday, presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill of N1.664 trillion to the State House of Assembly.

Presenting the bill during plenary of the Assembly in Asaba, Oborevwori said, “I wish to announce a budget proposal of N1.664 trillion for the services of Delta State Government in 2026.”

He said the amount comprised the sum of N499 billion, representing 30 per cent of total budget for Recurrent Expenditure, and N1.165 trillion representing 70 per cent of total budget for Capital Expenditure.

The Governor added that the 2026 budget size indicated an increase of N685 billion, or 70 per cent over the 2025 Appropriation.

He also said sources of funds for the 2026 budget as proposed would be mainly from statutory allocation, internally generated revenue, mineral derivation, and Value Added, Tax among others.

Giving breakdown of the budget proposal, he said the state was earmarking N450 billion for road projects across the state in the 2026 fiscal year.

He said, ”A well-developed road infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth.

”It facilitates easy movement of goods and services, reduces transportation costs, attracts investment, and improves access to markets and thereby boosting socio-economic development and generating employment opportunities.

”Agriculture is key to economic diversification and sustainable development.

”We shall continue to devote considerable attention and resources to fast-track developments in the agricultural sector towards enhancing food security in Delta State.

”This will also enable economic diversification, promote self-reliance, and generate employment opportunities.”

The Tide’s source reports that the sum of 10 billion has been earmarked for the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in the 2026 Budget.

Oborevwori, who is the immediate past Speaker of the Assembly, commended the House for its partnership and urged members to expedite consideration and passage of the budget to sustain ongoing development momentum.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building “a prosperous, secure, and stronger Delta where no one is left behind.”

In his remarks, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Mr. Dennis Guwor, commended Oborevwori’s administration for the steady strides recorded under the “Renewed Hope for MORE Agenda”.

”Over the past year, we have witnessed sustained investments in critical infrastructure, impactful social interventions, prudent fiscal management of resources, and strategic initiatives aimed at promoting peace, security, and economic stability across the State”, he said.

Guwor also commended the Governor for approving the Consolidated Legislative Salary Structure (CONLESS) and initiating the construction of permanent offices for the Assembly Service Commission.

He assured the Governor of the Assembly’s resolve to undertake a thorough and timely review of the appropriation bill, stressing that the Legislature remains committed to people-centered governance, accountability, and equitable development.

“Your Excellency, I want to assure you that the entire Members of this 8th Assembly are united behind your vision for the transformation of the State.

”While our roles in government are distinct and protected by the Constitution, our objectives remain aligned; delivering the greatest good to the greatest number of the people of the state”, he stated.