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‘Value Of Wealth In Waste Enough To Lift Economy’

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The Director General, Small and Medium Scale Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Dr Olawale Fasanya, has said the value of wealth that lies in waste management is enough to contribute more than 35 per cent to the Nigeria’s economy.
Speaking on Monday, during events marking the 2023 World Home Economics Day at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Fasanya said this can be achieved with the right approach.
He said, “a holistic life cycle approach to waste management in the country would create opportunities for environmental sustainability, employment, income and wealth creation along the entire waste value chain.
“Nigeria generates over 32 million tonnes of waste annually. Converting such wastes will contribute to the use of technology and economic activities needed in this period of emphasis on green and blue economy”.
He encouraged Universities to key into the waste to wealth service for revenue generation to the school and as an effective way of economic engagement of students.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, while declaring open the event, lauded the Department of Home Economics, Hospitality and Tourism, and the Directorate of Entrepreneurship, for the synergy.
He also commended them for the reduction of waste through the conversion of waste to wealth, and for “progress, growth development and value through the regeneration”.
He expressed dismay that the petroleum industry housing the economy should ordinarily add value to the system, “not just dig out crude oil, sell it to the international market, generate revenue and then share the revenue accruing from the oil among the three tiers of Government without adding any value to it.
“The country cannot grow that way!”
In his remarks, the Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, Professor Isaac Ogundu, said the event serves to highlight the many ways through which “waste can be turned into useful products and services that can generate adequate funds”.
He expressed appreciation to the Acting Vice Chancellor for the love shown to the Faculty, adding that the array of art work and other produce displayed are eloquent testimonies of the support enjoyed by the Faculty.
In her speech, the Head of the Department of Home Economics, Hospitality and Tourism, Dr Anne Ifeoma Asouzu, said the theme of the celebration, “Waste literacy”, is relevant for a time like this “when families need knowledge for effective resource management within the home in order to avoid waste resource management in the areas of time, money, energy, food, water, heat, light, space and even fresh air, which are all precious materials for the goal of improving lives”.
She stressed the need for these materials to be saved and conserved.
The Director of Entrepreneurship Centre, Dr Patience Spencer, in a presentation on business ideas from waste products, enumerated the gains and benefits gathered by students that the Directorate trained in collaboration with the Department of Home Economics.
She noted that all the items displayed at the event are the handiwork of students trained on how to use waste in producing useful items for domestic consumption.
The event featured unveiling of the Department’s second annual magazine, cutting of cake, fashion parade and cultural display.
The International Federation for Home Economics was founded in 1908 as a non-governmental organization to serve as a platform for international exchange within the field of Home Economics.
The theme for the 2023 celebration “Waste Literacy” highlights the need to come up with better ideas to minimize waste generation and preserve natural resources.
Home Economics Day is celebrated every March 21 but was put on hold by the Department till Monday due to the 2023 general elections.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

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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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