Rivers

Human Capital Dev, My Greatest Achievement – Awortu

Published

3 years ago

December 1, 2023

The Chairman of Andoni Local Government Council, Barrister Erastus Awortu, has described investment in human capital development as key economic enabler and a low hanging fruit towards achieving sustainable development.
Speaking at a dinner in Port Harcourt in honour of 15 Cadets of Andoni, who graduated recently from the Charkin Maritime Academy, under the sponsorship of Andoni Local Government Council, the council chairman said his greatest achievement in office was human capital development.
He urged the cadets to be of good conduct in their future endearvous and shun all acts inimical to the advancement of their career, so that the good effort of the council and of their parents and guardians will not go in vain.
“For me, human capital development is my greatest project and I know, God willing, and by His Grace, all of you will grow to become good ambassadors of Andoni, and the multiplier effect is enormous.
“You are working on a vessel, you are a big shot in a company, you must remember where you are coming from. If you have opportunity to employ people or to recommend people for employment, you must remember Andoni people who are qualified, and I know very soon you will all be going aboard ships for your proper training aboard the vessels and then your certification.
“We urge you don’t allow anything to distract you, when you go aboard the vessels, if you misbehave and you are blacklisted, all of your training will be in vain when you are kicked out. You have a duty to ensure that all the effort we have made as a local government does not go in vain”, he said.
On the forth-coming 3rd edition of the Andoni Unity Carnival, Awortu said his administration is making concerted effort to continuously showcase to the world the enormous tourism potentials of Andoni and the investment opportunities therein.
He said, “The idea behind the Carnival is to expose Andoni to the world and to let the world know that there are lots and lots of potentials and investment opportunities in Andoni.
“We have over the last two years made concerted efforts to expose the kind of wonderful beach line we have in Andoni, many people don’t even know that you can drive to Ikuru town, Ekede and all that and commune with the Atlantic.
“And, in the case of Andoni, our very fertile forest houses the elephant. As you know, elephant is the biggest animal, and there are other animals that are under the elephant.
“The forest we have in Andoni has an array of exquisite wildlife that everybody would want to see. They say knowledge is power, because people don’t know about what is happening or what we have in Andoni, they are not able to access Andoni, they are able to look for Andoni, so we are making concerted effort to let the world know what we have in Andoni”.
On his part, the Rivers State Commissioner for Youth Development, Dr Chisom Gbali, lauded the Andoni Council chairman for what he called his “exceptional achievement on human capital development”, especially on youth development.
He said this would have a huge multiplier effect on the local economy of Andoni in the foreseeable future.
“Chairman, you are crediting this people today, you don’t know what you are doing, you have watered the ground, they will cause erosion in Andoni, a peaceful erosion, a positive erosion, that is what you have done.
“The beneficiaries may be few, but the ripple effect is what we call spiral circle. Spiral circle is when you develop people, they will come back, they will reach and develop other people, and what you see is turning out the best in the society.
“Chairman, I want to tell you that you have made history today. You are not just making infrastructure, you are not just making Andoni hospitable, but you are building on the youth. The best way, any government that wants to move forward must start with the training of the youth”, he said. Also speaking, the Founder and Proprietor of Charkin Maritime Academy, Dr. Charles Wami, assured the Cadets of Andoni of his continued support to them until they attain the peak of their career in Seamanship and Seafaring.
He said, “I appeal to all of you, try and be Charkin Ambassadors, try and project that goodwill from your local government chairman, don’t let us down, try your best, we will try as much as possible to ensure that your programme continues from Cadetship to Sea-time Training which is almost around the corner.
“When you are back from Sea-time Training after one year, you come back to school for your OOW, after which you go back to the sea.
“Seamanship and Seafaring is a continuous learning. You will continue to learn until you get to the peak of your career”.
On her part, Speaker of the 9th Legislative Assembly of Andoni Local Government, Hon. Sheila Jacob Nte, thanked the council chairman for creating an enabling atmosphere that engendered good working relationship between the executive and the legislative arm.
She urged the Cadets not to forget their background wherever they found themselves in their career and live a life worthy of emulation so that efforts and resources expended on their training will not amount to a waste.
Some traditional rulers, including Okan-Ama Agwut-Obolo, Alfred Otobo-Alama (III), and Okan-Ama Okoloile, Sir Matthias Stanley (Ikwut VI), were among guests who graced the occasion.

Niger Delta

IAUE Trains Lecturers On Scholarly Writing, Research Commercialisation

Published

3 days ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), through its Directorate of Research and Development, has trained lecturers and Postgraduate Students on scholarly writing and research commercialisation.

The three-day Training Workshop, themed, “Research Commercialisation and Digital Project Supervision”, which kicked-off on October 13, 2026, provided an opportunity to strengthen lecturers’ research capacity, in addition to embracing innovative approaches to academic practice, according to a statement by the Public Relations Officer of the University, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, which quoted the Director of Research and Development, Professor Nduka Wonu.

The Director noted that the discussions focused on supporting students and lecturers to improve academic writing and publication through effective mentorship and the development of publication-ready research teams.

It also focused on supervising research projects smarter with digital systems by leveraging digital dashboards, cloud collaboration and project tracking tools to improve supervision and feedback.

According to the Director, the discussions further “focused on setting standards for the responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence among academics to promote academic integrity and guide the appropriate use of emerging technologies.

“Finally, on writing concept notes and grant proposals, identifying funding opportunities and building partnerships to strengthen research funding, collaboration, commercialisation and societal impact.”

These focus areas, he said, are essential for improving research productivity, strengthening institutional capacity and enhancing the University’s research profile.

Professor Wonu encouraged all to participate actively, share experiences and apply the knowledge gained in teaching, supervision and research activities.

While declaring the workshop open, the Acting Vice-Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, praised the Directorate for the training programme, which he emphasised is very important for research ethics and the growth of academic staff.

He encouraged staff to take advantage of research grants, to partner and collaborate with others, and to go into consultancy as a way of earning additional income and improving society.

He also encouraged those in Environmental Science and Oil and Gas related fields to involve industries in their research or work in conjunction with industries for exposure to modern research techniques.

Also speaking, the Local Organising Committee Chairperson, Dr. Anne Chidinma Williams, said the workshop explored practical ways to improve academic writing, develop grant concept notes and proposals, increase the visibility of publications, use Artificial Intelligence responsibly and strengthen digital research supervision.

She encouraged participants to turn knowledge into solutions that benefit the University and society.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Niger Delta

Police Rescue Woman, 24, From Online Dating Kidnappers … Arrest Five Suspects

Published

3 days ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Police Command has rescued a 24-year-old woman who was abducted on her arrival in Port Harcourt to meet a friend she met online.

The police also arrested five suspected members of a kidnapping syndicate accused of luring victims through online dating platforms.

Confirming the arrests, the State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Blessing Agabe, said the suspects had allegedly confessed to their involvement in the crime during interrogation.

The victim, identified as Chinyere, reportedly travelled from Delta State to Port Harcourt on October 3, 2026, to visit the acquaintance, but was allegedly kidnapped along Igwuruta-Etche Road in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The incident was reported to the police on October 4, 2026, at about 9 a.m., prompting the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, to direct operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, Diobu, to investigate the case and secure the victim’s release.

The police operatives subsequently rescued the woman and arrested five suspects allegedly linked to the kidnapping syndicate.

The suspects were identified as Gift Okeregwu, 23, from Okehi Community in Etche Local Government Area; Okeregwu Onyekachi, 27, also from Okehi; Bright Augustine, 27, from Akukabu Community in Etche; Chijoke Nwalozie, 35, from Akukabu; and Obinachi Rita, 26, the only female suspect.

The suspects were reportedly arrested at different locations following intelligence gathering and investigations into the circumstances surrounding the victim’s abduction.

She said information obtained from the suspects had also provided investigators with leads regarding other kidnapping incidents reported around the Igwuruta and Etche axis.

According to the police spokesperson, the suspects allegedly admitted using online dating platforms to establish contact with prospective victims from within and outside Port Harcourt before luring them into physical meetings and abducting them.

The development has raised concerns over the potential misuse of online dating platforms by criminal elements to identify, deceive and target unsuspecting individuals.

The Command advised members of the public to exercise caution when engaging with strangers online, particularly those who request physical meetings without sufficient verification of their identities.

It further urged residents to inform trusted persons of their movements when meeting people encountered online and to choose public locations for initial meetings as a precaution against possible criminal attacks.

The police reiterated their commitment to combating kidnapping and other violent crimes in Rivers State, urging members of the public to provide credible information that could assist security agencies in identifying and apprehending criminal suspects.

King Onunwor

Rivers

Deaf Community Seeks Disability Laws Enforcement, Better Education

Published

3 days ago

October 30, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Association of The Deaf has called on the State Government to strengthen the implementation of disability rights laws, and construct more schools for deaf children in the state.

It also called for the expansion of employment and empowerment opportunities for persons with hearing impairments in the state.

The association made the call recently at the 2026 Deaf Awareness Week held at the Women Development and Skills Acquisition Centre, Eastern Bypass, Port Harcourt,

The week has as its theme, “Declaring Deaf People’s Human Rights: Advancing Deaf People’s Human Rights in Rivers State.”

The programme, organised by the Rivers State Association of the Deaf (RSAD), was aimed at raising awareness about the rights, welfare and challenges of deaf persons and promoting theirinclusion in governance, education, healthcare, employment and other aspects of society.

The South-South Zonal Coordinator of the Nigerian Association of the Deaf, Henry Obotu, said one of the major challenges confronting deaf persons in Rivers State was their exclusion from government activities and inadequate access to public information because of communication barriers.

Obotu called for the effective implementation of disability rights legislation, stressing that deaf persons should enjoy equal opportunities and participate fully in public life.in public life.

He noted that government announcements and other important information were often disseminated without sign language interpretations, thereby making it difficult for deaf persons to understand issues affecting them.

Obotu urged media organisations to incorporate captions and subtitles into their broadcasts and public information materials to ensure that members of the deaf community were not left behind.

According to him, the establishment of specialized schools and learning centres for deaf persons, their educational and communication needs required appropriate attention and support.

Similarly, the Chairman of the Rivers State Association of theDeaf, Comrade So-oriari T. Beneth, called for greater government support for the deaf community, including skills acquisition programmes, employment opportunities and improved educational facilities.

Beneth expressed appreciation to the state government for its support for the association, but stressed the need for sustained commitment to the welfare and empowerment of deaf persons.

He identified education, economic empowerment and accessibility as key areas requiring government intervention, and urged authorities to provide adequate resources for schools serving deaf students and expand vocational training and employment opportunities.

According to him, investing in the deaf community would enable its members to become self-reliant and contribute meaningfully to the development of Rivers State.

Godslove Justice, Sunday Naomi &Christopher Kelechi