Rivers
Obuah Tasks Professionals On Campaign For Cleaner State
The Sole Administrator, Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Bro. Felix Obuah, has called on professionals in all strata of society, to join the ongoing campaign against indiscriminate disposal of wastes, as well as comply with the dumping hours of 6pm to 12 midnight, to achieve a cleaner state.
Bro. Obuah who made the appeal while receiving an award as ‘Business Administrator of the Year’ last Thursday in Port Harcourt, said the task before the professionals and all those residing and doing business in the state, was not only to sustain the current clean state of Rivers, but to return it to its famous status as the Garden City of Nigeria.
He charged members of the Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management (IBAKM) who bestowed the prestigious award on him, to join hands with the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike to do the needful and build a greater state that would be celebrated by posterity.
“How do we do this? I think one way of achieving this is by keeping our environment clean and safe all the time.
We cannot achieve this if we allow the roads and streets to be littered with garbage.
We must fight against indiscriminate dumping of wastes in and around our environment. We must ensure that wastes are not disposed outside of the approved dumping hours of 6 pm to 12 midnight”, Bro. Obuah said.
The RIWAMA boss, who spoke through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Pastor Jerry Needam, recalled the sad spectacle of a former Permanent Secretary in the state who was recently arrested by the Agency’s Monitoring Team for littering the road with large quantity of refuse.
“As professional business administrators and knowledge managers, you form the elite and senior citizen’s class, and the society is looking up to you for good examples. I urge you to use your platforms and vigorously campaign for restoration of the Garden City status of our dear state”, Bro. Obuah said.
The RIWAMA Sole Administrator expressed reservation over recent incidents of dumping of new-born babies on the median of roads and described the act as the height of cruelty.
Vowing that the Agency would not hesitate to bring down the full weight of the laws against any culprit caught in the act, Bro. Obuah further appealed to IBAKM to become an Ambassador of RIWAMA and promote clean and safe habits among the citizenry.
In his opening speech, Chairman of the occasion and Hon. Commissioner for Information, Pastor Paulinus Nsirim commended the Institute for the three-pronged activities namely membership investiture, induction and certification/inauguration of the South South branch of the Association of Business Administration and Knowledge Management Professionals.
Represented by the Director of Public Enlightenment and Sensitization in the Ministry, Mr. Celestine Ogolo, the commissioner said the timing of the event was apt while also commended the organizers for making Port Harcourt, the host city.
“The array of inductees shows that the Institute is hitting the right target in the quest to develop the knowledge economy. I urge all inductees to make use of this opportunity to ensure that the knowledge economy is expanded”, he said.
Pastor Nsirim revealed the conscious revolution by the Governor Nyesom Wike administration to build the knowledge industry in the state, pointing at the wonderful attention being given to improve all tertiary institutions in the state.
The Commissioner also charged the professionals as well as members of the public to key into the ongoing advocacy to change the ugly narrative that was painted about the state, stating that Rivers State belongs to all, and that whatever affects the state, affects everyone living and doing business in it.
Earlier in his welcome address, the President and Chairman, Advisory Council of IBAKM, Dr. Gangadhar Joshi outlined the objectives as well as mission and vision of the Institute, assuring that the decision by the inductees to become members was, in his words, “one of the best career development choices you have ever made in life”.
“The Institute of Business Administration and Knowledge Management is a unique and an innovative global professional body duly licensed and statutorily empowered for advancement of business administration and knowledge management profession in Nigeria and the global community”, he said.
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.