Rivers
Foundation Seeks Awareness Against Plastic Pollution
As environment-conscious people and nations all over the globe observe this year’s World Environment Day last Monday, with focus on Ecosystem Restoration, under the campaign #BeatPlasticPollution, the African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development (AIFES) joined the campaign, calling on people around the world to be more sensitive and commit themselves to stopping the damaging effects of plastic wastes to the environment.
That was the statement by the African Indigenous Foundation for Energy and Sustainable Development on the occasion of the just-concluded World Environment Day celebration in Port Harcourt.
This was contained in a press release made available to news men in Port Harcourt.
According to the release, signed by Legborsi Saro Pyagbara, the Executive Director of the foundation, a copy made available to news men in Port Harcourt, the foundation regretted the fast and unabated destruction and indiscriminate activities of users of plastic waste.
“AIFES, is worried by the fast and unabated destructive and indiscriminate activities of users of plastic materials on the ecosystem, particularly the drains, streams, rivers, other water bodies, and the careless disposal of these materials in other undesignated areas in the neighbourhoods”, the statement said.
According to the foundation, the celebration should be used to advocate strict compliance to regulatory Provisions and laws for bagging of all domestic and industrial wastes, recycling of used plastic materials and a stop to dumping of malleable items in the drains and other water ways.
“While the use of plastics cannot be avoided at homes, offices and public places, it is important that citizens, particularly users, make conscious efforts to properly dispose them after use, considering the hazards and challenges they constitute to the environment and activities of other people.
It further said, “Most worrisome is the indiscriminate dumping of these plastics in the drains and most water ways, which causes blockage, resulting to flooding and filthiness of the environment.
“Aquatic life is threatened as mangrove vegetation is destroyed, fishes are exterminated and water bodies polluted.
“Having suffered the hazards overwhelmingly, we believe this year’s World Environment Day affords us the opportunity not only to draw global attention to the plights of our people living at the water fronts and in the coastal communities contending with the invading plastic flood.
“We, therefore, call on government agencies and companies to provide receptacles and polyethylene bags for the citizens to use at homes, in the offices, streets, public places and neighborhoods.
“It is also imperative that measures be put in place by the government to prevent and checkmate the wrongful use and disposal of these plastics by both corporate and individual citizens.
“We propose the setting up of monitoring agents and special marshals for community surveillance and information on the indiscriminate use of the materials by households, business operators and other corporate bodies”.
It also called on the Federal and sub-national governments to establish functional recycling plants for plastic wastes and engage scavengers to pick up the waste materials from the streets and public places.
“Neighbourhood sanitation agents should also be commissioned in all Local Government Areas, while the State Sanitation Authority be empowered to properly execute laws prohibiting indiscriminate dumping of waste without exception.
“It is our conviction that if the above measures are taken appropriately, there will be drastic reduction in not only plastic pollution, but harmful practices in wastes generation, handling and disposal.
The use of fungal enzymes like hydrolases and oxidoreductases in plastic biodegradation is also recommended.
By: John Bibor
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.
-
News5 days agoFalana Urges Youth To Reclaim Nigeria From Older Generation
-
News5 days agoWithdraw bill to regulate bloggers, SERAP tells Akpabio, Abbas
-
News5 days agoNigeria’s gas sector attracts over $5bn in investments
-
News5 days agoAdesina advocates Africa-led ‘Marshall Plan’ on conflict-hit regions
-
News5 days agoFederal High Court judges begin 2 weeks Easter vacation
-
News5 days agoIbas Tasks Youths On Peace, Rivers Dev
-
News5 days agoMilitary Uncovers Plot To Establish ISWAP Bases In Plateau, Bauchi
-
News5 days agoTinubu Orders Clampdown On Illegal Tertiary Institutions