Rivers
Experts Decry Abusive Digital Technology Use … Call For Opportunities Maximisation
Experts have decried abusive use of the digital space by youths and adolescents, and made a strong case for maximisation of opportunities digital technology offers to improve their lots in the society.
The Keynote Speaker at the opening ceremony of the 4th Nigeria Conference on Adolescent and Youth Health Development held on Thursday, 14th August, 2025 in Port Harcour, Dr. Amina Ahmed El-Imam, made this known in her presentation.
El-Imam, who is also the Commissioner for Health, Kwara State, spoke on yhe theme of the conference, “The Evolving Adolescent and Youth in a Digital Age : Building Resilient Young People in a Changing World.”
In her presentation, she said, “digital addiction can lead to decreased physical activity and poor mental health.”
While acknowledging that “enhanced communication using digital technology fosters social connectivity and opens doors for innovation”, she said it has its downsides, such as “cyber bullying, fraud, misinformation, stress, and anxiety.”
She, therefore, advocated that youths must build resilient through “digital literacy, responsible use of digital technology, mental strength and emotional intelligence.”
Resilience, she explained, is “the capacity of anybody to adapt positively to adversity and change”.
Welcoming participants to the event, the President of Society for Adolescent and Young People’s Health In Nigeria (SAYPHIN), Professor Adesegun Fatusi, said this year’s conference “focuses on one of the greatest developments, dynamics and dilemmas in the annals of the world and development of young people – digital technology.”
A renowned Professor of Community Medicine, Fatusi, described the conference as the biggest convening of stakeholders in the adolescent and young people’s health and development field in Nigeria,
“Digital technology has so much potential for good and yet an open door to so many challenges”, he said.
Fatusi continued that the conference is designed to see how participants can be “better positioned to harness the amazing opportunities that digital technology presents for a better future for our young people and nation, equip them with new knowledge, skills and partnerships to address huge challenge that comes from compulsive and abusive use of digital technology by some young people”.
To ensure that the interventions from the conference are pragmatic and implementable, the Chairperson, Local Organising Committee of the Conference, Professor Omosivie Maduka, said, “we are organising this conference with the adolescents and youths across Nigeria. This is to know the challenges they face and solve them collectively.”
The conference, which was organised by the SAYPHIN, was attended by youths and adolescents in Nigeria, academics, policymakers and supported by development partners, such as UNICEF, UNFPA, and Girl-Effect.
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The President General of Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide, Eze Godspower Woke Onuekwa, has reiterated that the Ikwerre people have no affiliation with the Igbo ethnic group.
Onuekwa made this statement during the August Meeting of the Okpo Club, hosted by Professor Samuel C. Dike in Port Harcourt, weekend.
He expressed concern that despite the numerous challenges facing the Igbo people, they continue to focus disproportionately on asserting a perceived Ikwerre-Igbo affiliation.
According to him, Ikwerre has its own unique historical and cultural identity, and should be free to associate with any ethnic group of its choice based on mutual respect and free will, not coercion or imposed affiliations.
The Ogbakor Ikwerre leader also stated disappointment that some Ikwerre natives still claim Igbo ancestry, even in the face of overwhelming evidence of their distinct heritage.
In a bid to strengthen the intellectual foundation of the Ikwerre nation, Onuekwa called for a deliberate push to produce at least 700 professors in the near future.
He emphasized that such a move would elevate the Ikwerre people’s status in Nigeria’s competitive academic and socio-political landscape.
“Some tribes in Nigeria already have up to 600 professors. With the current momentum in academia, Ikwerres may soon surpass that figure if we remain focused”, he stated.
Also speaking at the event, Chairman of the Okpo Club, Dr. Promise Iwezor, pledged to provide visionary and inclusive leadership that will drive the group and the entire Ikwerre nation towards its academic and developmental goals.
Iwezor emphasized the need for unity, commitment, and collaboration from all stakeholders, stating that these are key ingredients in overcoming any obstacles to progress.
The host of the meeting, Prof. Samuel C. Dike, a renowned Environmental Law expert, expressed appreciation to members who braved unfavorable weather conditions to attend the event, especially OCJ Okocha, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
He reaffirmed his commitment to the growth and success of the association.
The Tide gathered that the Okpo Club’s 2025 End-of-Year Meeting and Thanksgiving will include a special honor for Emeritus Professor, Semion C. Achenehu, and Hon. Blessing Eddie-Amadi, in recognition of their outstanding contributions to academic advancement in Ikwerre land.
By: King Onunwor
The Evo III of Evo Kingdom, HM King Leslie N. Eke, Chairman Supreme Forum of Ikwerre Government Recognized Traditional Rulers, Eze Gbakagbaka, has again called for greater unity, peaceful coexistence, and a renewed national focus on development that benefits all Nigerians.
Eke made this known during a media interaction at his palace in Woji, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area at the weekend.
Speaking in a calm and thoughtful tone, the revered Eze Woji XII/Nyerisi Mbam Oro Evo, noted that the strength of any nation lies in the unity of its people.
He also encouraged Nigerians from all walks of life to embrace tolerance, understanding, and dialogue as a way forward for sustainable peace and progress.
“Nation building is a collective task. Every citizen has a role to play, whether in leadership or followership. We must all begin to see ourselves as partners in progress, not as rivals or opponents”, he said.
Eke, who is also the President of the Association of Christian Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, highlighted the importance of traditional institutions in fostering communal harmony and development.
The Evo apex King noted that governments at various levels have made efforts, stronger collaboration with traditional rulers would help deepen trust and improve policy implementation at the grassroots.
On youth development, he advised the younger generation to remain focused, innovative, and positive-minded.
He stressed the importance of education, skill acquisition, and good character as tools for personal and national advancement.
“Our young people are full of potential,” he said. “With the right support and encouragement, they can become drivers of change and not just beneficiaries of it.”
On achievement in infrastructure and social development in Rivers State, he said it’s commendable, but expressed hope that more communities, especially in peri-urban areas, would feel the direct impact of government programmes.
Responding to questions from journalists, the monarch emphasized that peace and development go hand in hand.
He urged families, schools, religious bodies, and community leaders to teach values that promote honesty, respect, and responsibility.
Eze Eke reassured the people of Evo Kingdom of his continued commitment to justice, fairness, and the general wellbeing of all residents.
He pledged to work closely with government agencies and stakeholders to ensure his domain remains peaceful and progressive.
He concluded with a message of hope, expressing confidence in Nigeria’s future.
“Let us not lose hope”, he said, “with patience, dialogue, and determination, we can overcome our challenges and build the Nigeria of our dreams.”
By: King Onunwor
The Chairman, Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RESIEC ), Dr. Michael Odeh, has said the Commission will do all within its reach to ensure that the Saturday August 30, 2025 Local Government Council elections will be hitch free and set a model for democratic governance in the state.
Odeh said this during an interactive session with Civil Society Organizations (CSO) in the state at the Commission’s Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
He said RESIEC will provide a level playing field for all political parties towards achieving its determination to conduct a free, fair and credible elections.
While appealing for civic education, he called for more attention at the rural areas in order to put them on notice about the up-coming elections.
“The meeting will strengthen our relationship with the CSOs in voter education. CSOs are the voice that amplifies voter education. In fact, their roles can’t be overemphasized”, he said.
Also speaking, the RESIEC Commissioner in Charge of Budget, Statistics, Research and Training, Prof Lezaasi Lenee Torbira, said the budgetary provisions for the smooth conduct of the elections have been provided.
Torbira noted that printing the non-sensitive materials and other logistics have been handled.
“We have held meeting with all stakeholders. Training of field officers and others have been done”, he said.
Meanwhile, the leader of the groups and organizer of the programme, A. M. Issac Green, reassured the commission of its support towards the achievement of its target.
By; King Onunwor
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