News
RSG Campaigns Against Food Wastage …Plans School For Disabled
The Rivers State Government has pledged to put in place measures that will help the state to preserve its natural resources from extinction and curb food wastage.
The Commissioner for Empowerment and Employment Generation, Dr Ipalibo Harry said this while declaring open a three-day seminar on the environment, orgainsed by the African Centre for Environmental Protection (ACEP) in conjunction with the Rivers State Environmental Sanitation Authority in Port Harcourt.
Dr Harry described the environment as very critical to human survival, noting that the government was working hard to ensure that the environment was preserved for future generations.
He described as apt, the theme of this year’s World Environment Day celebration, which is ‘ Think, Eat and Save”, explaining that it was a lesson to people to think before they harvest, transport as well as eat.
In a similar development, the state government has said that it is mounting campaign to check food wastages by pupils and students in schools.
Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence –Nemi, said this during the second day of the seminar, noting that the theme of the celebration was designed to enable people fashion ways to check food wastages.
Dame Lawrence-Nemi reeled out statistics from the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) to buttress the importance of the campaign.
According to her, given the high rate of poverty in our country, there was need for an urgent call for the eradication of wastages of food in our society.
She also said that, given the enormous imbalance in lifestyles and the resultant devastating effects in the environment, “this year’s theme encourages you to become more aware of the environmental impact of food choices you make and empowers you to make informed decisions”.
Meanwhile, the Edo State Commissioner for Environment, Mr Clement Agba, yesterday said that over 1.3billion tons of food produced annually in sub-Saharan Africa was wasted.
Agba stated this during the 2013 World Environment Day in Benin, adding that the impact of food wastage had many consequences which went beyond financial.
“If food is wasted it means that all resources and inputs used in the production of all the food are also lost.
“For example, it takes 1,000 litres of water to produce a litre of milk.
“The resulting greenhouse gas emissions from the cows and throughout the food supply chain, all end up in vain when we waste food,” he added
Meanwhile,Rivers State Government will soon commence the construction of a school for students with special needs at the Greater Port Harcourt City.
This is coming one year after Governor Chibuike Amaechi ordered the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation to liase with the Ministry of Education to relocate the school from its former site in old township area due to lack of space and facilities.
Speaking to newsmen after the official handover of the site between Kpondo and Aluu communities in Ikwerre Local Government Area by representative of the sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt, Mr Noel Elenwo, Education Commissioner, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi and her counter part in the Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon. Joe Poroma, assured that work will commence soon.
Lawrence Nemi disclosed that her ministry has already commenced designs for the new school for those with special needs.
She said: “Let me on behalf of the Ministry of Education and my colleague, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, thank His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for giving hope to the physically challenged in the state and also the Sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt, Dame Aleruchi Cookey-Gam. I am gladdened in my heart today that I and my colleague are here (site for the school) today.
According to her, Amaechi’s vision for students with special needs in the state will now become a reality.
On his part, the Commissioner for Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Hon. Joe Poroma said the students with special needs in the state will have a new beginning with the school.
“It’s a great day in the lives of those that are physically challenged in our state. It has always been the dream of this administration to come up with a dream home, as you may as well call it school for those that are physically challenged in the state. Today is a new beginning; we’ve come here to inspect the land, and I promise everybody in this state that by the time this administration comes to an end, there’s going to be a befitting school for those that are physically challenged”, Poroma submitted.
The representative of the Sole Administrator of Greater Port Harcourt City Development Authority, and Manager of the Survey Department, Mr. Noel Elenwo, said the land for the special school falls within the educational layout of the Greater Port-Harcourt City, and is about 3.48 hectares.
John Bibor
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi