Rivers

VC Blames Cultural Resistance For Student Loan Scheme Under-Subscription

Published

9 months ago

May 27, 2025

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, says the Nigerian student loan programme records low participation in the South-South and South-East regions because of deep-rooted cultural resistance.
Speaking at a Strategic Engagement and Sensitisation Campaign by the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) in Port-Harcourt, Georgewill said families in these regions are reluctant to associate their children with debt, even as the loan was interest-free.
He, therefore, advised the government to make the programme a repayable grant, noting that this would make parents feel their children are not going to school through loan.
“Despite our advocacy, the word `loan’ is really discouraging students from participating in the scheme.
“We can coin it to be a repayable grant which will make parents feel their children are not going to school through loan”, he said.
On the allegations of fraud associated with the scheme, he said they were baseless and the purveyors were misguided.
The Vice Chancellor cautioned against such reports, adding that it could potentially damage a critical national initiative.
He said the University of Port Harcourt has maintained a clean record since the programme’s inception.
According to him, UNIPORT charges N78,000 tuition per year which is one of the lowest among federal universities.
He said the low tuition fee made it easier for many families to afford the payment, without subscribing to the loan scheme.
Georgewill disclosed that of the institution’s student population of 40,000, only 1,800 were currently benefiting from the loan scheme.
A former National Secretary, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), David Bariereka, corroborated the Vice Chancellor, that UNIPORT had not been the subject of any official complaint regarding misappropriation of NELFUND disbursements.
The Managing Director, NELFUND, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, reiterated the agency’s commitment to transparency.
Represented by Dr. Zino Ugboma, Director, Administration, NELFUND, Sawyerr said media narratives on the alleged fraud were prematured and could do more harm than good.
“The system may not be perfect, but we are trying to make it as humanly effective as possible.
“Sabotage and misinformation can ruin what should be a transformative programme for the country”, he said.
Sawyerr warned against sensationalism and urged stakeholders to focus on refining the system for the benefit of Nigerians.
He disclosed that the number of students that signed up for the loan on NELFUND portal in UNIPORT had increased to 4,000, making the school the highest among institutions in Rivers State.
“As of this morning, we have about 600,000 students nationwide who have registered for the programme. Uniport’s 4,000 students are a major part of that success.
“Of all the higher institutions in Rivers State, Uniport has the highest number of registrants”, he said.
The Tide’s source reports that the NELFUND’s officials also visited Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. (IAUOE), Port Harcourt, for its sensitisation campaign.

Theresa Frederick & Charity Amiso

Rivers

NDLEA Loses Officer, Arrests Six Suspects In Bonny Raid

Published

2 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

An operative of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has been killed during a raid on a notorious drug enclave at Ama Hausa, Bonny Island, Rivers State, while six suspects were arrested.

The agency said a significant cache of illicit substances, including cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine, skunk and tramadol, were recovered during the operation.

The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, by the Director, Media and Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, Abuja, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

According to the statement, the deceased officer, Chief Narcotic Agent, Sadiq Bako Mujahid, sustained severe head injuries when suspected drug dealers mobilised armed hoodlums to attack operatives during the raid.

Babafemi explained that despite the violent resistance, the operatives successfully apprehended the six targeted suspects, including the alleged gang leader, Genesis George Benson.

Other suspects arrested in the strategic operation carried out on Friday, February 6, 2026, were identified as ThankGod Okon, Shamsudden Isah, Muhammed Musa, Adamu Muhammed, and Muhammed Yusuf.

The agency described the Ama Hausa area of Bonny Island as a well-known hub for criminal activities and drug trafficking.

The statement further noted that the operation took a tragic turn when Benson allegedly mobilised armed hoodlums in a bid to evade arrest, leading to a confrontation with NDLEA personnel.

Mujahid was immediately rushed to the General Hospital in Bonny Island for emergency medical attention but later succumbed to his injuries.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig.-Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd), commended the bravery and resilience of the officers who carried out the operation.

Marwa said the operatives refused to be intimidated by criminal elements and ensured that the assailants were subdued and the illicit substances confiscated.

He extended condolences to the family of the deceased officer, his colleagues and the Rivers State Command, warning that any attack on NDLEA personnel would attract dire consequences as the agency remains committed to ridding the country of illicit drugs.

King Onunwor

Rivers

MOSIEND Seeks Potable Drinking Water In Opobo … Decries Absence Of Hospitals

Published

2 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Rivers State Government and Chairman of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Area, Barrister James James, to provide potable drinking water for Opobo Communities.

The Group called on the State Government and Council Chairman to provide an affordable hospital in the area for pregnant mothers to deliver their babies.

The Chairman, Ibani/Opobo Clan, Comrade Favour Obani, and his counterpart in Kalama, Evangelist Anderson Africa, representing MOSIEND Eastern Zone, made this known in a radio programme, “Talk of the Town”, on Rhythm 93.7FM.

On lack of potable drinking water in Opobo, Comrade Favour Obani said Opobo people drink from river and well waters and sometimes buy satchet water from Bori Town for their daily consumption.

She expressed regret that Opobo Town had produced prominent personalities, such as the former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Gabriel Toby, Director General, NIMASA, Dakuku Peterside, and the present Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminilayi Fubara, yet lacks potable drinking water and modern hospitals and delivery centres.

Comrade Obani insisted that there is total absence of good governance and government presence in the entire Opobo Communities over the years, despite producing prominent politicians in the state.

On lack of hospitals and maternity in Opobo, Obani said pregnant mothers deliver their babies in untrained traditional birth attendant places which she described as harmful to modern day mothers.

She called on the Opobo Council Chairman, Barr. James James, to build modern market facilities for Opobo women to do business.

“We need empowerment and training of the youths across the communities in Opobo Kingdom”, she stated.

She also decried the absence of filling stations in Opobo, noting that motorists and villagers travel to Bori to buy fuel for their use.

On his part, Comrade Anderson Africa called on Rivers State Government to build shores protection in Opobo Town to protect their fast eroding lands.

According to him, Opobo need shores protection in Queenstown and Kalaibiama to protect the communities from extinction.

On NDDC street light installation in Opobo, Evangelist Africa said the street light is not enough to go round as the community needs more to light-up the communities.

He noted that Opobo Communities did not enjoy electricity during the Christmas celebration as most homes were on darkness.

“We need proper electricity in Opobo, we want to feel the real dividend of good governance and democracy”, he said.

Both Speakers from Opobo Clans blamed their sons and daughters who have held various political offices in the state for the backwardness and under-development witnessed in the communities.

They added that students and pupils in ancient Opobo schools do not have comfortable chairs and desks to write on.

According to them, the only presence of governance in Opobo is the road linking to the Town to Bori.

Chinedu Wosu

Rivers

Ariks Air Divert Aircraft From Port Harcourt To Benin

Published

2 days ago

February 13, 2026

The Tide

Following a loud bang heard on the left engine of an Arik Airline, Boeing 737-700, with registration number 5N-MJF, the aircraft from Lagos to Port Harcourt has been diverted to Benin Airport as a precautionary measure.

The aircraft, operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt, on Tuesday morning, was on descent into the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident occurred.

The airline’s Corporate Communications Manager, Adebanji Ola, disclosed this in a statement, saying all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

The statement reads: “Arik Air’s Boeing 737-700 (5N MJF) aircraft operating flight W3 740 from Lagos to Port Harcourt on February 11, 2026, diverted to Benin Airport after the operating crew heard a loud bang on the left engine.

“The aircraft was on its descent to Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, when the incident happened and as a precautionary measure, the crew had to make a safe diversion to Benin.

“There were no injuries to passengers and crew as all 80 passengers on board were safely disembarked.

“Arrangements have been made to transport the affected passengers to their final destination.

“We sincerely apologise to the affected Port Harcourt passengers whose journey has been disrupted. The safety and well-being of passengers is always our priority at Arik Air”, the statement said.

The statement assured that Arik Air is committed to continue serving the public with safety consciousness and for ultermost care for passengers.

Enoch Epelle