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Death Of Prof. Briggs, A Devastating Loss -Wike …UNIPORT Declares Five-Day Mourning Over Prof. Briggs’ Death Buhari, Condoles Family
Following the demise of the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs, the management of the institution has declared five days of mourning from Monday, April 10 to Friday, April 14.
The notice was contained in a press statement signed by the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, on Monday.
Georgewill stated that All UNIPORT flags on campus will fly at half mast, during this time.
He said, “Condolence register to be opened in the office of the Vice Chancellor, the entrance into senate building and at the College of Health Sciences.
“We urge all staff, students and stakeholders to pray for the repose of our 5th Vice Chancellor and for strength for his family to remain strong.
“God rest the soul of Emeritus Prof Nimi Briggs and the souls of all the faithful departed in Jesus Mighty name Amen”.
Briggs was the 5th Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt between 2000 and 2005.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of late emeritus Professor of Medicine who passed on at 79.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Femi Adesina, on April 10, 2023, said, “President Muhammadu Buhari shares the pain of loss with family, friends and associates of the 5th Vice Chancellor of University of Port-Harcourt, Prof. Nimi Briggs, 79, extending sympathy to the academia and Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).
“President Buhari notes the historic contributions of the scholar to national development, particularly the educational sector, reaching the pinnacle of his career, with distinctions in service.
“The President believes the Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Pro Chancellor of Federal University, Abakaliki, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa and Chairman, Committee of Pro Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, lived for the good of the country and humanity, urging family and friends to immortalize his legacies.
“The President prays that the Almighty God will grant the soul of the departed a peaceful rest.”
Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said the death of Professor Briggs came to him as a shock.
The governor described the death of the renowned Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, who once served as chairman of both Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and Rivers State Economic Advisory Council, as a sad moment for the Government and people of Rivers State.
A statement signed his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, yesterday, quoted Wike as noting that Briggs was not only an exceptional obstetrics and gynaecology teacher, but also an astute administrator who was committed to the common good of humanity.
The governor, while acknowledging the immense contributions of Prof Briggs while he served in RSIEC and the Rivers State Economic Advisory Council, stressed that his passion, vision and relentless pursuit of better and progressive Rivers State will remain a source of inspiration to generations to come.
“I am very shocked and sad to hear that Emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs has passed on. He was indeed symbol of commitment and dedication to the medical profession, our dear Rivers State and the nation. His contributions to public health and service were immeasurable.
“As the Vice Chancellor of the foremost University of Port Harcourt, Prof Briggs demonstrated that he was absolutely visionary, because he worked tirelessly to promote academic excellence and infrastructural transformation of the institution.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, I wish to express my profound condolences to Prof Briggs’ wife, his children, extended family and friends. I pray God to grant you all the fortitude to bear this devastating loss”, Wike said.
Happy Birthday Chief Barr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike CON
Honourable Minister Federal Capital Territory
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We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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