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Security Guards Shut Model School Over Pay

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Academic activities have been disrupted at the state primary schools I & II Olanada, in Port Harcourt, one of the model primary schools built by the Rivers State Government, as security guards of the school locked the gate, preventing the headmasters, teachers and pupils from entering the premises.

The Tide gathered that the chief security, Wachukwu Banabas, who claimed to have been employed by a security outfit, Hercules Company, said he was employed in April, 2011, and since them payment of his salaries had been a problem.

He said the security outfit had not paid him and his colleagues from June till date.

Mr Barnabas explained that he made telephone calls to the office of the Director of the security outfits, Mr Chibueze, but he would always tell them to wait.

According to the security guard, the situation had made them to borrow money to sustain themselves, adding that the money lenders have disgraced them even threatened to arrest them.

One of the guards, Mr Sunday Mike said that his landlord was threatening to arrest him over his inability to pay his rent, adding that before they locked the school gate, they informed the supervisor of the company, and he told them their normal words, “they should wait.”

Barnabas maintained that they decided to take such action in order to draw the company’s attention to their plight, adding that the gate would remain locked until they were paid.

The headmistress of the school, Edith Eweze said that the security men locked the school gate since last Thursday and no place for them to set examinations for the pupils.

Eweze said on Monday, the pupils were taken to the teachers’ residence to write their examinations, adding that such situation poses danger to their security.

She maintained that efforts to see the Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Nemi, proved abortive as she was advised to come back, and therefore called on Rivers State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi to come to their aid.

One of the teachers, Mrs Blessing Amadi noted that the school was supposed to have finished examinations but lamented the delay due to lack of classroom.

She therefore appealed to the state government to wade into the ugly situation so that the children’s education would not be jeopardized.

Our correspondent gathered that the headmistress was directed by a community leader, to take the pupils to the community town hall to enable them conclude their examination while promising to call the attention of the owner of the security outfit.

Meanwhile, Rivers State Ministry of Education has denied owing the manager of the security outfit, that has failed to pay the guards.

The permanent secretary of the ministry, Dr Richard Ofuru, told The Tide that the guards were under the employ of the contractor responsible for their salaries.

According to him, the contractor should pay the security guards immediately as they were performing essential and critical assignment and queried why he would not pay his staff when he had been paid by the ministry.

He said the model schools were open for academic activities, emphasizing that the challenge of workers hag been resolved in other model primary schools like the UBE Borokiri in Port Harcourt township.

He revealed that efforts made to open the gate of state school Olanada I and II proved abortive as the security guards insisted on their pay.

He appealed to parents, teachers and pupils to remain calm as government was taking measures to reopen the school for academic activities.

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Education

RILTA laud appointment of new Chairman 

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The Rivers state Indigenous language Teacher Association (RILTA) has landed the appointment of the new chairman,Hon Sam Ogeh   by the state government.
The group in a statement signed by
Dr. Ovuchi J. Agwnu
President and
HRH Eze Sir Ishmael Nweke
Secretar and made available to the tide desk in port Harcourt,the group described the appointment as a welcome development and urged the new chairman to bring his long years of wealth of experience in public service to bear in his new assignment.
The group further assured him of their resolved to work with the his team to enable them succeed and assured him of their total loyalty.
The statement reads thus “
On behalf of the Rivers State Indigenous Language Teachers Association (RILTA), we extend heartfelt congratulations to you on your appointment and assumption of office as the Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board. This prestigious appointment is a testament to your dedication, expertise, and leadership qualities.”
“Your vast experience and passion for education will undoubtedly drive transformative changes in our basic education sector. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of your leadership on the educational landscape of Rivers State.”
We pray for divine guidance, wisdom, and strength as you embark on this noble assignment. May your tenure be marked by excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of our children and educators.”
“Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved appointment. We stand ready to support you in your endeavour to elevate the standards of basic education in Rivers State.”
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

University lecturer advocates for societal needs based research as Algorithms,  Pathway To Sustainable Growths

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A lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Professor Daniel Matthias,has advocated
for a university-industry- government partnership in order to strengthen collaborations for internships, applied research, and product development, adding
 that research outcomes should align with societal needs, especially in healthcare, environment, education, and governance.
He further  recommended the strengthening of research in emerging technologies through the establishment of dedicated research centres in AI, IoT, Blockchain, and Renewable Energy. He also advocated linking computer science with health, agriculture, and engineering as interdisciplinary projects.
Professor  Matthias, stated this when he delivered the 118th Inaugural Lecture of the University  recently in port Harcourt with the  topic “From Algorithms to Impact: Harnessing Emerging Technologies For Socio Economic Transformation.”
He described Algorithm as a, “Finite, step by step set of institutions designed to solve a specific problem or perform a task”, said they are fundamental to both Computer Science and everyday life, where they serve as recipes, driving directions, or the instructions a computer used to sort data, make recommendations on social media or rank search engine results. They take input, process it through a sequence of logical steps, and produce and output.”
The university don emphasized that Africa has the most youthful population globally with entrepreneurial spirit and therefore stands at a pivotal moment to harness the potential of the technologies enabled by the algorithm to drive sustainable development.
“Africa, with its youthful population and entrepreneurial spirit, stands at a pivotal moment to harness the potential of these technologies. By addressing infrastructure deficits, fostering digital literacy, and creating supportive policies, the continent can leapfrog traditional development pathways and establish itself as a global innovator,” Prof Mathias stated.
The erudite scholar averred that though Africa has its challenges in infrastructure deficits such as access to technology, logistics and transportation, educational barriers in the areas of quality education and digital literacy, limited investment and informal economies, the continent has promise of potential growth with the development and use of Algorithms.
He attributed the potential promises to demographic advantage, ecosystems, noting that Africa has the potential to leapfrog traditional stages of technological development by adopting mobile and digital solutions directly. Furthermore, he said that focusing on renewable energy and sustainable practices can help Africa address energy shortages while promoting environmental stewardship.
“By bridging the gap between technical knowledge and societal needs, we can create technologies that not only solve problems, but also empower communities, foster inclusion, and drive sustainable development. Collaboration, advocacy, and mentorship are essential to ensuring that technology serves as a tool for equity, empowerment, and a better future for all,” the university Don stated.
In his  remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obibi congratulated the lecturer, describing the lecture as “fantastic” and the lecturer, as “our rare gift to Africa and the world in the field of Computer Science.”
He acknowledged that most of the recommendations of the lecturer were in consonance with what the university was doing in terms of developing a policy on the use of AI and making the university community to be digital compliant.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

NUC Commences  Verification Of 73 Degree Programmes Of Federal University Of Environment in Ogoni

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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has commenced resource verification of 73 degree programmes across seven faculties at the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, in Ogoni, Rivers State.
The verification exercise began today and is a critical step towards securing approval for the institution’s academic programmes, with the NUC team assessing facilities, staff strength, and curriculum to ensure compliance with national standards.
Welcoming the NUC officials, the Vice Chancellor of FUET, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom expressed gratitude for the visit and emphasised the institution’s commitment to meeting the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commence academic activities in the September 2025 academic session.
“You are aware that this is a newly established university, created through the Act parliament and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 3rd February 2025. Just about 5 weeks ago, the Honourable Minister of Education inaugurated the Governing Council and principal officers, with a clear mandate to ensure academic activities commence this September,” Prof. Mmom said.
He commended the Rivers State Government for facilities at Saakpenwa and Koroma, as well as the people of the Koroma community who gifted the university 99.3 hectares of land.
 He noted that renovation and infrastructural work have been fast-tracked despite the absence of federal budgetary allocation for the institution’s takeoff.
Prof. Mmom disclosed that the university had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with nearby institutions, including the Rivers State University, Rivers State Polytechnic, and University of Port Harcourt, for temporary academic and infrastructural support.
 He also highlighted ongoing preparations, including the provision of dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, ICT centres equipped with over 170 computers, and staff quarters.
Speaking on behalf of the NUC team, Professor John Ohaka explained that the verification exercise is part of ensuring readiness for takeoff in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“All we are doing here today is to assess the level of preparedness and ensure that the university starts on a strong footing. What we need now is quality education to drive sustainable development, and this exercise will help position FUET to compete globally,” he said.
Ohaka praised the university management for its hospitality and assured that the team would thoroughly inspect the facilities across both campuses to make recommendations where necessary
The seven proposed faculties under verification include: Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and Faculty of Management Technology. Others are Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and Faculty of Education.
The Federal University of Environment and Technology, located in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, is one of the newest federal universities established to expand access to tertiary education and promote research in environmental and technological studies.
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