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Wike, Fubara Feud: Opobo Elder Statesmen Preach Peace …Urge Minister To Reciprocate Gov’s Peace Overture

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2 years ago

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A socio-political group in Rivers State, Opobo Elders Statesmen, has added its voice to the seeming feud between the Governor of the State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor and Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike, and canvasses the need for amicable settlement and resolution through peaceful dialogue, understanding and fair play. This is even as they appealed to the Minister to reciprocate Governor Fubara’s peace overture.
The group, which made its position known in a statement signed by its Chairman of Board of Patrons, Alabo Dr Reuben Meitamuno Saturday Jaja; and the Chairman of the Board of ExCO, Alabo Edwin Jacob Cockeye Brown, said from history, Opobo is known to be an Ijaw tribe of Ibani extraction with the track record of promoting peace and freedom through dialogue and constructive engagement in resolving conflicts.
“ Because we know that in every interaction between humans, problems or disagreements are inevitable, and must be resolved through peaceful dialogue, understanding and fair play,” it said.
It further noted that several groups had emerged pitching tents in the defence of the Governor and the Minister respectively, along ethnic and political lines, contending that the actions and utterances of these individuals and groups have impacted on the temperaments of both, in what it said is in a bid to bring about the timely resolution of the friction.
According to the group, “Even the silence and inaction of the others on the fence are also contributing to the resolution of the matter.”
To this end, it thanked all the individuals and groups, who have played various active roles in dousing the tension resulting from the conflict in the State, particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Elder statesman, Chief Edwin Clark for mediating in the matter.
The group equally expressed delight that Governor Fubara has followed the path of reconciliation during his meeting with the Minister at the Rededication Service of the 2023/2024 Legal Year of the Rivers State Judiciary at St Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Port Harcourt, on Thursday, November 9, 2023 where he noted that he has not “sent anybody to malign anybody,” saying, “the path of peace followed by the Governor is the manifestation of the quintessential peaceful nature and character of the Opobo man for which we are not surprised, and commend very much”.
It further indicated that both the Minister and the Governor are Opobo sons.
“ The Minister is an adopted son of Opobo who has made enormous contributions to the development of Opobo Kingdom. Consequently, we have actively related with all the stakeholders at the state and national levels to pursue the path of peace and fair play without heating up the polity. In the light of the above, we appeal to His Excellency, the Minister of FCT, the holder of the prestigious Opobo Kingdom title of Amafurotubo of Opobo Kingdom ( an Ijaw title meaning “ indigene or native” of Opobo Kingdom) conferred by His Majesty King Dr Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, CFR, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo Kingdom with the symbolic Golden Key which regularly enables him entry into and exit out of the Opobo Kingdom, to reciprocate by accepting the Governor’s peace initiative in the spirit of Opobo brotherhood and family,” it said.
The group also condemned the unprofessional conduct of some members of the Police Force in the State during the protest that followed the impeachment saga, which led to injuries and deaths, and prayed the souls of the dead to rest in peace with the Lord.

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Rivers

NSE Members Tasked On National Dev

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6 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, have been urged to work hard towards contributing to national development. This call was made at the recent induction of new members by the Port Harcourt branch of the Society. The induction ceremony was used to formally welcome new members and celebrate its elevated new fellows.
Speaking during the ceremony held a in Port Harcourt, the Branch Chairman, Engr. Idaeresoari Ateke Harriet, FNSE, called on members of the NSE to actively participate in the Society’s professional and technical activities in order to contribute meaningfully to national development. He congratulated the new inductees, describing their admission as a testament to their hard work and resilience.
Engr. Ateke also commended the new Fellows for their immense contributions to the engineering profession, reminding them that their elevation is a call to greater responsibility as mentors and role models.
The event featured a lecture by Engr. Prof. Steve Odi-Owei, FNSE, on “Opportunities and Challenges in Nigeria’s Blue Economy.” The Chairman noted that Nigeria’s maritime and aquatic resources remain largely untapped, adding that engineers have a crucial role to play in harnessing these resources for economic growth and environmental sustainability.
He thanked the first female President of NSE, Engr. Margaret Aina Oguntala, FNSE, other dignitaries, sponsors, and families of inductees for gracing the occasion.
Also, engineers, especially those in Rivers State have been advised to adhere strictly to the core ethics of the profession and to always uphold the professional ethics of the body.
This advice was given by an engineering expert, Basoene Benibo, in an interview with at the sidelines of the  induction ceremony and Fellowship celebration of the Port Harcourt Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers.
Benibo stressed the need for young engineers in the state to learn and improve on their skills by tapping from the wealth of experience of older professionals in the field to enable them excel.
 Benibo, who is a one-time Chairman of the Port Harcourt Chapter of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, also noted and hailed the efforts of the society in eliminating quackery in the engineering profession.
Some of the new fellows include Prof Jackson Akpa, Pereowei Jose’s and Telema Osima, while the inductees, Engr Mrs Lizzy Onwuso, Engr David Jonathan jnr and Worlu Emmanuel expressed joy in being found worthy to become full NSE members, believing that it would enable them have access to more knowledge, practice rightly and impact the society positively.
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VALVA Restates Commitment Education Advancement, Literacy In Nigeria

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6 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The President and Chairman of Council, Nigerian Library Association (NLA), Dr. Dominic Amenaghawon Omokaro, has expressed deep commitment to the advancement of education and literacy in Nigeria through the library system.
Speaking through his state Chairman Dr. Chidara Okachukwu Nyemezu, at the formal Launching/inauguration of the Vanguard for Library Visibility And Advocacy (VALVA) at Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic in Port Harcourt recently, Omokaro discribed the inauguration of the new body as a significant and  passionate movement aimed at shining the spotlight on one of the underappreciated yet critical institution in Nigeria’s educational system and national development.
“We are gathered here not just to launch a group, but to launch a vision and ignite a movement to reinforce a mission to make libraries visible and valuable again for our people”, he said.
Dr. Omokaro stated that the birth of VALVA is based of the recognition that libraries, particularly school libraries, are the bedrock of  promoting a reading and research culture that includes innovation and lifelong learning in the society, though the system is grossly underfunded and poorly equipped in many cases.
He recalled the theme of its first week under his watch, “Library System for National Development in 2022”, which he hinted was driven by the state chapters.
He explained that the inauguration of VALVA shows an important mission to promote the visibility and development with impact on schools and other libraries through strategic advocacy that will advance quality education and foster lifelong learning culture in Nigeria.
“The vision is clear to promote the visibility where every school and indeed every community will have access to a functional library managed by a professional Liberian”, he said.
Speaking with journalists at the sideline of the event, the founder of the VALVA, Dr. Juliet C. Akex-Nmec, stressed that no society can grow without a functional and  effective library.
She urged government at all levels to ensure the establishment of effective and functional libraries across the country.
Dr. Alex-Nmec, who is also an Associate Professor of Library and Information Science, Rivers State University, called for the appointment of a Special Adviser on Library matters by the state government in order to assist the government on Library matters.
High point of the event was the formal inaugural of the new body and oath of offices to the new executive.
Akujobi Amadi
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Rivers

Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members

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6 days ago

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July 11, 2025

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The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).

 

In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.

 

The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.

 

Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.

 

The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.

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