Rivers
Positive Vision Outcome Excites PHCCIMA President
The President of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (PHCCIMA), Eze Mike Elechi, has expressed joy over the positive outcome of his all inclusive administration vision for the organisation.
Elechi said this during the induction of new members of PHCCIMA and the unveiling of the compendium of the activities of the Chamber since its incorporation into the Rivers State Investors’ Guilde in Port Harcourt recently.
According to him, his plan, for running an all inclusive administration was yielding positive results due to positive outcome of the monthly general forum of the Chamber.
Elechi, pointed out that the forum under his control, gave members opportunities to interface with one another, exchange business ideas and as well, make new friends while networking.
The PHCCIMA President who also is the Managing Director of Vintage Farms and Products, Elele posited that August in retrospect was loaded with so many activities including the well attended ‘Power-To-Power’ business summit that just ended in Port Harcourt.
He also used the medium to commend the Chairman of Power and Energy Trade Group of the Chamber, Engr. Tony Nwogbo and his committee for the success of that event.
The former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Works, further revealed within last month, the Chamber acquired a new 30KVA Generating set to power its operations and enhance work efficiency.
“We also received a high powered delegation led by the Rwandan High Commissioner to Nigeria, His Excellency, Amb. Stanislas Kamanzi where robust business ideas were discussed and the Chamber secured an opportunity to lead a delegation of 50 members on a trade mission to Rwanda”, he said.
Meanwhile, he has charged the new members to see their induction as not only an opportunity to widened the scope of their businesses, but also make contributions by attracting investors for the even development of Rivers State.
He added that the copy of the compendium which chronicled activities of the Chamber will serve as a guide to anyone doing business and intending business operators who may want to pitch their tents in Port Harcourt.
Speaking on the topic; ‘The Role of Non-oil Export in Economic Development In The South South Region”, the Regional Coordinator of Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) , Mr. Joe Itah called for diversification into the non-oil Export sector in order to save the country from imminent collapse.
Itah noted that Nigeria as a country is naturally blessed with abundant potentials apart from the crude oil and gas.
He however, expressed hope that talking with PHCCIMA which he described as the leader of the organize private sector in Rivers State remained the best opportunity for the required attention.
He explained that NEPC is constitutionally empowered with the responsibilities of coordinating, regulating and encouraging business owners to register their businesses and export their products so as to enable them earn the much needed foreign exchange.
The NEPC regional coordinator, also hinted that their organization has assisted some Small Scale business owners that were affected during the Covid-19 era to return to business.
Giving hint on the untapped business opportunities in Rivers State, the Governorship Candidate of the Social Democratic party(SDP), Senator Magnus Ngei Abe who was at the Chamber members forum at the instance of his Deputy, Chief Dr. Patricia Ogbonnaya, said that Rivers State has all it takes to replicate the Arri-Arria market in Aba, Abia State where millions of Rivers youths could have opportunities to either learn trade or get themselves gainfully employed.
Abe who expressed regrets that the dilapidated state of Ogoni axis of East West road has driven out a lot of companies out of the State and added that the state will continue to lead in business activities.
High point of the Chamber August members monthly general forum held on Wednesday 31st day of August, 2022 at the Chamber’s Secretariat Aba road in Port Harcourt was the unveiling and lunching of the PHCCIMA’s compendium.
By: King Onunwor
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.