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Nsirim, Dame Jonathan, Others Bag IBAKM Fellowship
The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim, and the former Nigerian first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, were among other personalities conferred with the fellow of the Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management at the 2and Annual International Conference of the institute, yesterday.
Speaking as the chairman of the conference opening at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Nsirim urged participants to address the value system question with a view of proffering solution to its restoration.
He noted that the basic problem facing Nigeria as a nation was the loose of its values.
“I have canvassed at different fora that what Nigeria needs urgently is restoration of our values: Values of honesty, hardwork and discipline.”
He expressed hope that such conferences would be held by different professional bodies to begin to develop a new agenda to pull the country out from the quagmire it is in now.
“The truth of the matter is that the solution to Nigeria’s problem will come from the Nigerian people. We are not going to import people outside Nigeria to bring solutions to our problem.
“If we are going to have a better Nigeria, if the leadership question is going to be properly addressed, if production issue is going to be addressed, if the followership issue will be properly addressed, then Nigerians must collectively begin to bring back our values.
“Until we build a society where everyone acts responsibly, where godfatherism is not the order of the day, where people attain heights based on merit, where tribalism, religion, ethnicity no longer form the yardstick for our leadership recruitment, we may not go far as a people,” he said.
Nsirim stated that Nigeria would be on the path of rapid development, if Nigerians could get it right with the value system.
While declaring the conference open, the former first lady of Nigeria, Dame Patience Jonathan described the conference as important and necessary to set agenda for all stakeholders towards a better society.
She charged participants to deliberate and come up with innovative ideas that would help Nigeria, Africa and the world to recover fast from the economic losses caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Presenting a paper with the theme: “Professional Business Administration and Knowledge Management: Panacea for Economic and Institutional Health and Sustainability”, Prof. Sam Otamiri, delved into the relationship between knowledge management and economic health, and how they are intertwined to amount to sustainability of gains made by an institution.
Otamiri, who is the dean of Faculty of Business Studies at the Ignatius Ajuru University, said a thesis of the paper called “Knowledge-based Economic and Institutional Development Model”, developed by the institute was being applied in some organisations.
Speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof. Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, noted that ideas rule the world, and that knowledge was very important for the transformation of society.
While introducing the award, the Executive Vice President of the institute, Dr. Monday Anyairo, described the institute as a unique professional body which satisfies people with skills, sufficient level of competence wrapped with act of professionalism to be able to adequately discharge their duties and responsibilities.
The conference also witnessed the conferment of a doctoral fellowship of the institute on Dame Patience Jonathan.
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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
