Rivers
Light Up Nigeria Project Campaign Flags-Off In Degema LGA
The formal flag-off ceremony of Light Up Nigeria Project (LUNP) took place at Degema Local Government Area, in Rivers State, on Friday.
Light Up Nigeria Project was aimed to empower Nigerians through agriculture, Small and Medium Scale businesses, in partnership with some commercial banks and other recognised financial institutions.
The ceremony was witnessed by huge crowd as people from all works of life was in attendance in the area.
Speaking at the event the national coordinator of LUNP, Prince Amezhinm Atuma, said the project was essentially to integrate both urban and rural dwellers with the sole purpose of job creation, employment, skill training and industrial revolution.
According to Atuma, who is also the MD/CEO Odioku Sky Ltd, and Chairman Odio Investment & Credit Society Ltd, the project was to connect Degema people to financial scheme for business development.
” I want to say that Light Up Nigeria Project 2023 as regards to Odioku Sky Ltd and its partner Odio Co-operative and Credit Society is in line with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cashless policy designed to empower and connect Nigerians into financial scheme through partnership with registered financial institutions, Government Ministries, Department and Agencies. Also international communities, as well as recognised private sector investors” Prince Atuma said.
He equally said that the project will be launched in all the Local Government Areas in the country with the view to eradicate poverty and promote industrialisation in Nigeria.
“The dream of Light up Nigeria Project is also to affect Nigerians positively by creating employment and eliminate poverty and create wealth.
“Again we are poised to flood the country with Nigeria made products within short , develop talents, hence it will reduce crime in our society,”. he stated.
Also speaking the Peika, VII Onu Onyan Ekien of Udekana of Degema Kingdom, His Excellency King Reuben Z. Amos, thank the coordinator of Light up Nigeria Project to Degema, saying that the project would bring development to the area.
” As you can see there is poverty in the area so I will be happy if the banks and other recognised bodies will come and assist to develop our people through loans facilities” he said.
In an interview with one of the attendees , Goodness Ngoke , expressed joy over the good intentions of the project.
According to her, if given the loan she will use it expand her Zobo, Tiger nut and Soya beans businesses.
” I am happy that such thing is coming to this area because it will help me and some others to expand our businesses. Like me I will go into wholesale and make my products unique” Ngoke said.
Also another attendee Ibisoma Karashina , a welder thank the coordinator of Light up Nigeria Project for bringing such development ideas here.
He said if given the loan he will use it to buy more equipments and employ youths to work with him and that will reduce crime in the area” he said.
By: Tonye Orabere
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.