Rivers
Union Celebrates 10th Anniversary, Confers Awards
About 10 cooperative societies, under the umbrella of Ekpeye United Cooperative Union thronged the premises of Green River Project (GRP) Extension Office, Ukpeliede in Ahoada-West Local Government Area, to mark the 10th anniversary of their conglomerate.
The occasion was also used to honour three stakeholders.
The Tide reports that GRP is a department of Nigerian Agip Oil Company, concerned with the promotion of agriculture in its host communities.
Speaking, the Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Victor Akwujuru of the Rivers State University, noted that the occasion warranted the jubilation that coloured the atmosphere.
He said that it was heart lifting to see cooperative societies cropping up in a rural area, to tackle food insecurity and joblessness.
Prof. Akwujuru, who doubles as an estate mamgerment expert and renowned farmer, expressed hope that the existing cooperative societies would sustain the tempo of their hard works while new ones emerge to join them.
The chairman charged the respective cooperative societies to look at the long term, rather than the short term benefits of their works.
In his address, the president of Ekpeye United Cooperative Union, Mr Ihuowo. Alabo Monday said. “Operating as a group of this nature has not been very easy in the Ekpeye communities’ environment.
I therefore extend my kudos to members, for refusing to live by stereotyped environmental bondage and forging ahead to build an enviable cooperative organisation. Our vows mean as much today as they did more than a decade ago’’.
The president thanked the GRP for their support and encouragement to the union, through capacity building, timely provision of farm inputs, building and commissioning of agricultural infrastructure, providing access to micro credit and financial assistance through awards as well as provision of extension officers, including, Mr Iyke Moses, Mr Felix Ogbonna and Chief Charlie Samuel.
Ihuowo, post humously recognised the contributions of the founding members of the union, namely, the former secretary and treasurer, Late Chief Amanukpo Robinson and Late Deacon Gibson Echikwa, respectively.
He noted that the union had recorded a number of success stories and in this context, a dividend of N10,000 each was presented to all the cooperative groups in good financial standing.
The president, who is also an accountant, announced the union’s target to establish a revolving loan of N1million annually for farmers or groups at an interest rate of less than 10 per cent.
He appealed to the management of GRP to avail the union the opportunity to participate in and nominate youths for skills acquisition programmes, as well as revival of the micro-credit scheme to individual cooperative societies.
Ihuowo called on secondary school authorities in the LGA to participate in GRP programmes as obtained in other zones and states of Nigeria.
While the beneficiaries of dividends included, Umanunye Cooperative Society (Ukpeliede), Young Farmers Cooperative Society (Akala-Olu), Uzodhu Cooperative Society (Idu-Ekpeye), Obuma cooperative Society (Enito 1), Ogoda-Ahoada Women Cooperative Society (Ogoda), the individual awardees were; Dr Joyce Ordinioha, Dr Okezie Ebiriker and Mr Ihuowo Alabo in appreciation of their invaluable services to the union.
Dr Ordinioha, who spoke on behalf of the awardees said, they would be spurred to render more services to the union and the public at large.
By: Agimo Benson
The management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.