Rivers
HostCom Tasks HCDTs On Developmental Projects
Concerned with the absence of proper development in oil producing communities, Host Communities Development Trustees (HCDTs) have been urged to, as a matter of priority, be deliberate in embarking on projects that would impact and uplift the face of communities in their trusts.
The development of the host communities would further create a win-win situation for the tripartite concerned parties of the government, oil companies and the host communities.
The National President, Host Communities Nigeria Producing Oil and Gas, Dr. Benjamin Style Tamaranebi, gave the urge at the Town Hall Engagement with HCDTs and settlors In Rivers State, organized by the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) in conjunction with HostCom Project Management and Adversary Consult, held at Golden Tulip Hotel, Port Harcourt, Weekend.
Delivering his address, Tamaranebi stated that every trust in the oil producing areas have been funded with the aim of translating the funds to sustainable development projects in the communities by the board of trustees.
According to him, each of the trusts has funds running to billions in their coffers insisting that should these funds be properly utilized, the Niger Delta and its communities would have been developed to the standard of oil producing areas.
In his words, “money has been paid to these trusts and each of these trusts have billions in their coffers. No trust in the Niger Delta cannot boost of a billion naira and these funds are meant for development”.
He noted with dismay the act of engaging in frivolous projects, duplication of projects, and siting of projects outside the communities saying, “there should be proper utilization of funds for projects.
“Look for and embark on projects that would impact on the people and site it in the community and not outside. Build and train human beings through scholarships to students and the likes”.
He noted that some of the host communities are richer than even the local government, charging the HCDTs “to utilize the 3% allocation as enshrined in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) so there’ll be change, development and progress in our communities”.
Tamaranebi further explained that the Town Hall Engagement was targeted at interacting with chairmen, secretaries and traditional rulers of HCDTs to become conversant with their challenges, assuring that their issues would be escalated to the NUPRC for proper tackling.
On his part, the Chief Executive, NUPRC, Gbenga Komolafe, noted that the gathering underscored the collective commitment of all stakeholders, including government, traditional rulers, oil companies and the communities themselves, to fostering sustainable community development, inclusiveness and accountability in the Niger Delta.
Represented by the Deputy Manager, NUPRC, Rivers State Chapter, Jerry Mbonu, Komolafe said, “The NUPRC remains dedicated to regulatory oversight, policy support and technical assistance to ensure host communities thrive alongside the petroleum industry.
“Let us seize this opportunity to turn challenges into opportunities and drive sustainable inclusive development in the Niger Delta”, Mbonu said.
In his Goodwill Message, Eld. Iduonibin Obaghama, stated that the fruition of the PIA was the effort of resilient men and women of the region who fought for their rights.
He enjoined stakeholders at the meeting to partner for the development of the host communities saying, “we are all from communities. It’s up to us to develop our communities. That’s all we’ve been saying here”.
Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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The Commissioner of Police (CP) Delta State Command, Mr. Yemi Oyeniyi, has urged traditional institutions to continue to support law enforcement in the country.
Oyeniyi gave the advice on Tuesday at the palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Dr. Emmanuel Sideso, Abe 1, in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Area of the state.
The Commissioner, who was on a familiarisation tour of police formations across the state, including the Effurun area command, solicited continued partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence.
He commended the Ovie of Uvwie for his unwavering commitment to peace, security, and community development.
“I acknowledge the invaluable role of traditional institutions in supporting law enforcement in the country.
“I equally solicit continuous partnership of the Uvwie domain in strengthening intelligence gathering and promoting peaceful co-existence among the people”, he said.
In his remarks, the Ovie of Uvwie, welcomed the Commissioner and his entourage to the domain.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the people to supporting the Nigeria Police and other security agencies.
The royal father urged his subjects to continue to cooperate with the security agencies by way of providing timely and credible information.
The Commissioner, thereafter, proceeded to perform the groundbreaking of the Effurun area command at the instance of the Insp.-Gen. of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu.
The Senate of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has approved the establishment of a University Leadership Assessment Centre as proposed by Professor Veronica Okogbaa of the Department of Educational Management.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Dr. Ngozi Okiridu, said the centre will, among other things, identify and develop high potential skilled leaders and talents.
It will also evaluate participants through multi dimensional approach rather than rely on subjective perceptions, indulge in leadership trainings, and generate income from services with succession planning.
Similarly, Senate also approved the establishment of a centre for languages, digital Humanities and intercultural studies as proposed by the Dean of Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ibiere Ken-Maduako.
The proposed centre, according to he statement, will have seven units namely language teaching unit, where French, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, German, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba and Rivers State indigenous languages will be taught.
It will also have Translation and interpretation unit, indigenous languages documentation unit, Digital Humanities Laboratory, Artificial intelligence and language teaching unit, professional certification unit, as well as Research and Publication unit..
The statement quoted the Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Professor Ken-Maduako, the centre will offer certificate in language proficiency for beginners, intermediate, advanced Diploma programme, translation and interpretation courses, Digital Humanities certification programme, Artificial intelligence and language technology workshops, online and Hybrid learning programmes, weekend and evening public classes, indigenous languages documentation training and Business and professional communication courses.
Professor Ken-Maduako firther said the center “will increase visibility of the University nationally and internationally, generate sustainable internally generated revenue, increase opportunities for grants and donor funded projects, enhance interdisciplinary research output, promote cultural preservation and community engagement, strengthen the University”s profile in innovation and digital transformation, attract research collaboration and international partnerships, and improve graduate employability and digital competence.”
In his speech, the Chairman of Senate and Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, encouraged sponsors of the centre to source for funds for the take off of the centre.
He explained that Directors will be appointed for the self-sponsored centres and reiterated that his administration will continue to support all proposals geared towards the growth of the University as long as they are consistent with the academic brief of the Ivory Tower.
Earlier, Professor Samuel Otamiri commended Professor Veronica Okogbaa for the proposed centre which, he said, is a remarkable development, amd described it as a robust programme that would attract the necessary patronage .
In another development, the Senate welcomed a suggestion by Professor Priye Iyalla-Amadi that Valedictory Senate sessions be introduced and held for retired Professors.
Results from the Postgraduate School as presented by the Dean of the School, Professor Chibuzor Chile Nwobueze, was approved by Senate.
Senate also approved that presented by the Director of the Centre for Continuing Education (CCE), Professor Goddey Wilson, and that of the Graduate School of Business by Dr. Florence Ironawusi.
Sogbeba Dokubo
The National President, Forum of Inclusive Educators and Readers (FIER), Mr. Onyeka Innocent, has admonished school owners and parents alike to learn how to prepare their children/wards ahead time in order to beat challenges irrespective of the angle they may spring up from.
Innocent made this known at the Forum’s meeting held partly in honour of the Spelling B, 2025 winners, in Port Harcourt.
“Soldiers are not trained during war, rather, they are trained and kept in the Barracks, waiting for war”, he said.
He said students must be provided with the necessary educational tools capable of boosting their academic pursuit.
According to him, proprietors of schools must conform with the Government’s authorities and guidance if they are determined to succeed in the project.
Another solution to educational management, he said, is the availability of Education Committees in schools, saying that it will improve the quality of its learning process.
Though he did not rule out decay in the society, he said there are few that still hold fast to determination and sincerity.
The FIER leader said his association was one of the bodies with the zeal to right wrongs in the society, especially in the Education sector.
He noted that his group was also prepared to reduce the number of out-of-school children by ensuring that education was taken to all parts of the Country.
On registration of private schools as directed by the State Government, he said his members are in compliance and assured of a cordial relationship between the Government and his Association.
Meanwhile, the winners of the Competition were Master Fredrick Jeffrey of Daisy Dan School, who emerged first; Badubulachi Maryan of Fertile Vineyard Academy, 2nd; and Itode Samuel of Baridoo Sam Joel School, 3rd.
They winners where rewarded with cash prices of N100,000, N50,000 and N30, 000 respectively.
King Onunwor