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NAPPMED Harps On Members’ Welfare

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The Nigerian Association of Patent and Proprietors Medicine Dealers (NAPPMED) in Rivers State has elected and inaugurated a new executive body, following the nullification of the previous one by a Rivers State High Court.
The election which was conducted under the supervision of the National Organising Secretary, Alhaji Musa Waziri, witnessed a large turn out of members.
Speaking with the press after the election and inauguration, Alahaji Waziri stated that he came to Rivers State to conduct free, fair and peaceful NAPPMED election for which he commended the peaceful disposition of NAPPMED members in Rivers State to achieve successful and peaceful election.
Waziri who doubled as chairman of the Electoral Committee advised the newly elected state officers to always see the welfare of their members as priority, saying that the interest of NAPPMED members should override their personal interest.
On his part, the newly elected and inaugurated state president, Rev. Cyril Pollyn, said that he was impressed with conduct of the election by the national representative saying that the election was free, fair and peaceful.
He thanked the electoral committee for the job well done as well as all the members for electing him for the second tenure, promising to carry all the members along.
Meanwhile the patron of NAPPMED in Rivers State Chief. Victor Wagor, while speaking with the press also explained the circumstances behind the re-election of the state officers.
According to him, the State High Court nullified the previous exco last year based on the fact that, the election was done at the time the matter was still in court saying that the national body has directed that election should be re-conducted as ordered by the court, therefore the election was conducted by the national body through the national organising secretary, Alhaji Musa Waziri.
The State patron also described the election as credible, transparent and peaceful.
He congratulated the state president, Rev. Pollyn, for his re-election as NAPPMED State president, advising all the aggrieved members to embrace the new leadership so that the association in Rivers State will move forward.
In the same vein, the secretary of (NAPPMED) in Rivers State Mr Uchechi Godwin, also described the election as peaceful and credible and congratulated the national president for creating an enabling environment for the peaceful election in Rivers State.
The state secretary also thanked members for the successful election of the State President, Hon. Pollyn and his cabinet, however advising them to provide leadership that would bring peace, unity and progress in the association.

By: Kevin Nengia

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Rivers

RSU Admits 11,083 Students For 2024/2025 Academic Session

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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

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Fubara’s Kinsman Denounce The Suspension Of Democratically Elected Officials

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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.

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Rivers Youths Urge Sole Administrator To Convene Summit

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Youths under the banner of “Rivers Ijaw Youths” have urged the Rivers State Sole Administrator,  Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete  Ibas, (rtd) to convene a youth summit.
President of the youth body, Chief Maxwell Deinma, in a live radio chat in Port Harcourt said the youth summit is expected to avail the Sole Administrator the needs and aspirations of youths in the state, and also reduce tension.
Deinma lamented that youths in the state have over the years been sidelined in terms of employment and empowerment, hence the the call for the new administrator to use his tenure to correct the narrative.
In addition to that, he stated that a youth summit will also give the administrator  area of focus and blueprint on how to empower the huge young population in the state.
He advised the new administrator to avoid engaging in partisan politics by staying neutral and focusing on his assignment of ensuring that peace returns to the state.
“I will urge him to have just three areas of focus: he should ensure that youths, peace, and development should be given attention in the next six months”, he said.
The Rivers Ijaw Youths leader challenged Ijaw elders to discard their selfish interests and pursue the general interest of Ijaw people.
He attributed the political tension in Rivers State to the failure of Ijaw leaders to speak in one voice.
Expressing displeasure over the emphasis on politics, while ignoring other areas of development, Chief Deinma argued that politicians in the State have jettisoned key developmental matters of state concern and are after their personal interests.
“Such attitude over the years”, he noted, “is responsible for the backward development of Rivers State economically”.
To reverse the trend, he stressed the need for government to focus on agriculture, entertainment and other areas of comparative advantage to transform the state.
Kevin Nengia
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