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Rivers Health College Now Mobilises For NYSC
The Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology, Rumueme, Port Harcourt, now mobilises its graduates for the one-year National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.
The Provost of the college, Prof Franklin Nlerum, disclosed this during the matriculation of fresh students into various academic disciplines of the college.
He equally disclosed that the college now runs diploma and national diploma programmes, and admits students through the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB).
Addressing journalists in his office, the provost said, “Matriculation is a period when we officially enter students’ names into the college diaries. It’s an occasion for the students, their parents and the college to celebrate the beginning of another admission. We admitted 878 students that matriculated today. This is higher than the number we have ever enrolled in this institution. It’s an indication that the college is growing.”
Nlerum attributed the growth of the institution to the law enacted by the Rivers House of Assembly and accented to by the Rivers State governor.
“The law removed the college from the Ministry of Health to the Ministry of Education where all the higher instructions in Rivers State belong. The college now runs diploma and national diplomas, admits students through JAMB, and mobilises students for NYSC.
“We are doing well; the national board accredits all our courses for technical education. We were able to accredit all our expired programmes. The Rivers State Governor, Chief NyesomWike, offered financial assistance to achieve this feat. However, there are still areas that need to be covered”.
Nlerum charged the matriculating students to concentrate on their studies and key into the academic excellence the college offers.
“We have inculcated in them that in this college we do not have time to play around, and they have also keyed into it. What I am expecting from them is, having matriculated today, they should know it’s no more business as usual; they should concentrate on their studies. Very soon we are going in for our internal examinations. I encourage them to study and be ready for their examinations”.
Miss Sunday Faith Soraniabasi of the Department of Medical Imaging Technology and Mr Sunday Ledito Joseph of the Department of Dental Health Science matriculated that day.
Both affirmed commitment to their studies and to abide by the institution’s rules and regulations.
In a related development, the Community Development Committee (CDC) Chairman of Orowo community Rumueme, the host community of the institution, Comrade AmadiThankGod, while responding to questions from journalists during the event, said the citing of the college in the community had attracted many fortunes to the community.
“As you can witness, the Orowo community chiefs and elders were invited by the college authority to witness the admission of the new students. Orowo community has benefited a lot from the school in admission, contracts, staff employment, etc. Any indigene of this community attending this school here is on scholarship. I can attest that more than 30 indigenes of this community are in different grades of employment in this college. In fact, we are having cordial relationship with the school authority.”
Amadi used the opportunity to call on the Rivers State Government to build more hostels and classrooms and rehabilitate the dilapidated ones.
“However, the college needs the attention of the Rivers State Government. As the number of students is increasing, infrastructure like hostel accommodation and classroom blocks are no longer insufficient. Most of the buildings are dilapidated, and the infrastructure is decaying. This is a college, not a secondary school. Even some secondary schools have more and better infrastructure than this. We appeal to the government to come to the aid of the college”.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.