Rivers
Don Seeks Faculty Libraries Establishment
A university teacher, Prof Anthonia Eghieso Omehia, has called for the establishment of Faculty Libraries in tertiary institutions for research effectiveness, specialisations, visibility, and ease of harnessing knowledge.
She made the call while delivering the 51st inaugural lecture of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) on yesterday at the university auditorium.
The Professor of Library and Information Science disclosed that such libraries should be headed by qualified librarians or information professionals.
She also called for compulsory training and retraining of librarians for effectiveness, review of library school’s curriculum to attune with the future library where robots do most of the library activities.
Omehia challenged professional bodies, such as the Nigeria Library Association (NLA), International Federation of Library Association and Institutes (IFLA), and others to ensure that library budgets are released on time, library fully equipped with modern technology, and different areas of African knowledge harnessed and represented in the digital global sphere.
While hinting that harnessing knowledge in timeless catalyst is the pathway for innovation and creativity in Nigeria, the 51st inaugural lecturer urged Government and all stakeholders to attune with the knowledge society demands.
She advised the Nigeria as a nation to embrace knowledge creation and application for prosperity, adding that a nation that relegates information and knowledge is a lost nation.
According to her, untapped indigenous knowledge, poor harnessing of knowledge by librarians, intellectual property theft, the ills of plagiarism, misinformation and poor use of library information resources by students, researchers, industrialists and stakeholders in the timeless catalysts are the visible setbacks of this knowledge era.
Omehia emphasised that repositioning libraries as a learning hub is now because the library is a sanctuary for intellectual exploration, a catalyst for academic achievement and a cornerstone for lifelong learning.
Harnessing the intellectual output in a timeless library, Omehia said it is the way to remediate education and other developmental ventures.
She stated that failure to harness the knowledge resources in the timeless library makes one a very ignorant personality (VIP).
In his speech, the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, commended the 51st inaugural lecturer for what he described as a five star presentation.
He stressed the need to encourage absolute utilisation of knowledge and for people to use their discovery for societal problems.
Onuchuku, while declaring that knowledge-driven economy is what powers development in contemporary society, noted that the inability to utilise knowledge attained, or transform what we generate as knowledge in the university and research centres is a major setback in the country.
The Vice Chancellor advocated for the building and establishment of community library and rewarding academic excellence for reading culture to be taken more seriously and also for people to develop knowledge from which society can apply to solve problems.
Also speaking, the Acting Registrar of IAUE, Mr Donald Okogbaa, lauded Professor Omehia for her scholarly presentation.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
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.