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Recipients Of Medical Scholarship Must Serve Rivers On Graduation, Wike Insists ….RSU Names Senate Building After Gov
Governor Nyesom Wike has said medical students who are recipients of the Rivers State Government scholarship would sign agreement to serve the state for a given number of years after graduation.
The governor emphasised that this policy would enable the Rivers State Government reap the benefit of investing huge resources in the training of medical students of the state extraction.
Wike started this at the inauguration of a 500-bed capacity hostel for medical students of Rivers State University (RSU).
The project is situated within the premises of the faculties of Basic Clinical Sciences and Clinical Sciences of RSU in Port Harcourt.
The Rivers State governor told the students that a new policy was been evolved concerning the scholarship offered medical students by the state government.
The policy, he explained, will require any students who wants to benefit from the state government scholarship will be required to sign to a condition of serving the State for some years after graduation.
“What we have decided to do now, because let us not train these children and they run away. They must serve the state first. So, we are bringing up policy that if we give scholarship to you and train you to become a doctor, you must have a number of years you must also serve the state.”
Wike said it will be unfair to spend such huge sum of money on training medical students and lose them almost immediately on graduation to other states or countries.
The governor asserted they will have to contribute quality service and add value to the medical sector in the state in order to justify the investment on them.
“We are not training you to go and serve other people. We are training you to serve Rivers State. So, after the number of years you have served the state, you can go to where you want to go.”
He further continued, “but you must sign agreement with Rivers State Government that you must also serve the state before you run away. I am not saying you must die here.
“Some of you will be married outside, but tell your husband too there is an obligation I owe (Rivers State) having trained me. Let him come and stay with you here, then after the number of years, you people can move to wherever you want to move.”
Wike also assured that the outstanding scholarship expenses would be paid to the institution before he leaves office.
The governor declared that nobody can fault his administration that it has failed on promises made because they have all been fulfilled.
Wike said he was happy to have accomplished the feat for the Rivers State University and their medical students now have the best of hostel facilities that would contribute to academic excellence.
Providing the description of the project, Rivers State Commissioner for Special Projects, Deinma Iyalla said it was flagged off on December 8, 2022, and completed in six months.
According to him, two blocks of three storey building were remodelled while one three storey buildings was freshly built with 500-bed capacity.
In his address, Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Chinedum Mmom, recalled that it was when the Basic Clinical Sciences and Clinical Sciences Faculties were inaugurated that the promise to build the 500-bed hostel was made, which has now been fulfilled, graciously.
On his part, Vice chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. NlerumOkogbule, explained that the hostel has the signature of Wike as a quality project, enhancing the physical infrastructure index, staff capacity, and further boosted the ranking of the institution as a world-class university.
In his address, Chairman of the Governing Council of the university, Justice IcheNdu (rtd) said with the completion of the new hostel, in addition to the existing block of hostel on Olumeni Street in Old GRA, Wike has provided hostel accommodation for 900 medical students.
He also disclosed that the admission quota for medical programme has increased from 100 to 200 students, the highest allowed for any institution in the country.
Giving his goodwill message, Rivers State Chairman of Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr Ebi Robinson, noted that the hostel will improve the welfare and physical wellbeing of medical students, make movement to classes safer for them with the multiplier effect on students’ academic performance.
The governor later proceeded to the main campus of the Rivers State University to inaugurate the newly constructed senior staff quarters.
And as a mark of appreciation to his enormous contribution to the development of the University, Justice IcheNdu (rtd) announced that the management of the institution has named the Senate building after Governor Nyesom Wike.
News
Council Boss Sues For Love, Unity

As Christians across the world celebrate the resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Administrator of Opobo/Nkoro Local Government Council of Rivers State, Mr. Frederick Apiafi, has advised Nigerians to love one another.
Mr. Apiafi said the period should be used for sober reflection and demonstration of love, unity and embracing the message of Easter.
This was contained in his Easter message and made available to media houses yesterday, saying that the resurrection of Jesus Christ has equally given birth to a new season of faith, hope , sacrifice and prosperity.
The administrator further used the forum to call on all indigenes and those doing business in the Local Government Area to be their brothers’ keeper at all times.
“As we celebrate the crucifixion and Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us soberly reflect and demonstrate love and unity particularly indigenes of Opobo/Nkoro,” he said.
Mr. Apiafi reiterated that welfare of workers and the good people of the area would be paramount in his administration.
News
Gunmen Abduct Six Travellers In Kwara

Seven passengers travelling from Abuja to Kwara State were abducted on Saturday along Obbo-Ayegunle road in Ekiti Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Three children of the abducted victims were, however, later released by the unidentified kidnappers, according to reports reaching The Tide’s source in Ilorin yesterday.
The abduction occurred between 17:00-18:00 hours, while the passengers were on board a Sienna vehicle owned by Olumoh Express transport company, heading to Offa from Abuja.
All attempts made so far by the local vigilante to rescue the victims were unsuccessful.
Spokesperson of the state police command, SP Adetoun Ejire-Adeyemi, confirmed the development.
“Armed hoodlums numbering about eight reportedly intercepted a Sienna bus registered FFA 50XD, heading to Offa from Abuja and forcefully abducted seven occupants including the driver.
“Upon receipt of the information, police operatives in collaboration with local vigilantes, responded swiftly to the scene.
“The vehicle was recovered to the nearest police formation. During a coordinated search of the surrounding bush, three children aged between two and 12 years were located and safely rescued.
“One of the children was able to give the police detailed information of her guardian who was contacted and the three rescued children have been reunited with their relatives,” the statement added.
The command said it has intensified efforts through discreet investigation, intelligence gathering and sustained bush combing to track down the perpetrators and secure the safe rescue of the remaining victims.
Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, reiterated the commitment of the command to the safety and protection of all residents, urging those with useful information to report through the established channels of the state police command.
News
HYPREP Moves To Complete Ongoing Projects This Year

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has set machinery in motion to complete ongoing projects this year in line with its new policy thrust.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who gave this indication while addressing participants during the Project’s first quarter interactive session with Ogoni youths in Port Harcourt, said the agency is this year, drawing from a new policy thrust that prioritises timely completion of all projects within stated timelines.
The Project Coordinator noted that as a community-based project, HYPREP understands the urgency of protecting the environment and improving livelihoods in line with its mandate.
He disclosed that the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration(CEER) for example, is currently being painted, as part of its final finishing works, stressing that HYPREP is ensuring that the centre is commissioned this year for public use.
According to him, the Technical Planning Committee for the CEER had submitted its report which contains various recommendations for the operationalisation of the centre.
He further disclosed that the shoreline remediation project is at a completion rate of 39.4 percent, saying, HYPREP has in this area recovered, evaluated and treated over 937,000 litres of oily sludge from the mangrove sediment, as well as evacuated over 1.7million kilogrammes of solid waste from the Ogoni creeks.
According to him, the mangrove restoration project has reached 86 percent completion rate, while the monitoring of the planted mangrove grids is progressing well.
He said HYPREP has also initiated a practical framework for long-term monitoring to ensure the Project’s objectives are met.
The Project Coordinator said HYPREP has achieved significant milestones in the ongoing construction of new water facilities in Ogoni communities, stressing that it is determined to commission the new water facilities in the various communities in the third quarter of this year.
He assured the participants that HYPREP would commission water facilities every two months in Ogoni communities.
Zabbey announced that the Creative Arts training for more Ogoni youths would begin in the second quarter of the year, while other array of interventions to support small and medium scale businesses would be rolled out in the coming weeks.
He revealed that the construction of the Ogoni Specialist Hospital has advanced to a completion rate of 70 percent, while that of Buan Cottage Hospital has reached 93.8 percent.
He also disclosed that in March, the Project Coordination Office took delivery of the first batch of equipment and electrical parts for the Ogoni Power Project, and expects further deliveries in this second quarter.
Zabbey said HYPREP has also deepened its engagement with critical stakeholders, including Ogoni youths and women, adding that this periodic interactive session remains a key part of its yearly work plan to ensure that their voices are heard.
He hinted that some selected youth leaders would benefit from the second batch of the Ogoni traditional rulers and other key stakeholders workshop on mechanism for alternative dispute resolution.
At the interactive session, Dr Sorbarikor Lebura of the Rivers State University delivered a keynote address on how to be on the right side of history, and encouraged Ogoni youths to always strive to be on the right side of history through their actions.
On her part, HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee told the participants that the project is working hard to close out on the training of 5,000 Ogoni youths and women by ensuring that all trainees get their starter packs.
She assured persons living with disabilities in particular that HYPREP would provide more empowerment opportunities to them.
Also, the Head of Potable Water Unit, Mr Lucky Ikue announced that the Terebor water scheme, which had been out of use for some time now, due to technical glitches, would be functional soon, as the station manager has been relieved of his duties.
By: Donatus Ebi
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