A prominent traditional ruler in Rivers State, Eze Moses Nwokocha, has reiterated the importance of education as a vital tool for national and community development, while pledging continued support for students in the state.
The Eze Aligwu of Usomini in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area, made the remarks in Port Harcourt after he was honoured by the Rivers State Postgraduate Students Union.
Speaking during the event, Eze Nwokocha described education as the bedrock of progress in every society, stressing that the value of education in the life of every child cannot be overemphasised.
According to him, education remains a powerful instrument for shaping the future of young people, reducing social vices and promoting sustainable development within communities.
He urged students across the state to remain focused on their academic pursuits and avoid cultism and other negative activities capable of jeopardising their future aspirations.
“Education brings light to society and provides opportunities for a better future. It also helps to curb social vices by positively engaging the minds of young people,” the monarch stated.
The traditional ruler further called on parents to prioritise the education of their children, noting that an educated society is better equipped for economic growth and social stability.
Eze Nwokocha also pledged his support for the activities of the students’ union, expressing confidence in the leadership and vision of those piloting the affairs of the association.
He commended the union for initiating projects aimed at supporting less privileged students in rural communities, describing the initiative as a commendable social responsibility effort that helps ease the burden on parents.
The royal father encouraged the union to sustain its commitment toward educational advancement and societal development.
Earlier, the President-General of the union, Barrister John Enyi, said the honour bestowed on Eze Nwokocha was in recognition of his commitment to peace, cultural preservation and community development.
Represented by the union’s Publicity Secretary, Comrade Echefu Raph, Enyi noted that the monarch’s peaceful disposition had positively impacted his community and urged other traditional rulers to emulate his leadership style by working closely with relevant stakeholders to promote peace and development.

The Paramount Ruler of Elele-Okunali and Elele-Alimini Kingdom in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, HRM Eze (Dr.) Marcus Woyike, has described the recent gathering of government-recognised traditional rulers from the Ikwerre ethnic nationality at his palace as a historic event.
Eze Woyike stated that the meeting was particularly significant because it was the first of its kind hosted during his reign, expressing gratitude to God for granting him the opportunity to welcome his fellow monarchs to his palace.
The royal father, while appreciating the traditional rulers who attended the gathering in large numbers, said the meeting served as a wake-up call for Ikwerre people to continue supporting their traditional institutions in order to sustain peace, unity and the preservation of their rich cultural heritage.
According to him, the gathering provided a unique platform for the monarchs to deliberate on issues affecting Ikwerre communities and also explore ways of promoting peace, security and social harmony across the ethnic nationality.
Eze Woyike further stressed the need for Ikwerre people to unite towards building a better society and a more prosperous Rivers State that future generations would be proud of.
The monarch also called on residents to remain vigilant and monitor the activities of strangers within their communities, especially tenants occupying rented apartments. He urged landlords to properly identify individuals they rent houses to and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies or relevant government authorities.
He equally advised political leaders to always place the interest of the people above personal considerations while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, noting that selfless leadership remains key to sustainable development and peaceful coexistence in society.

The first female Professor of Theatre Arts in Education from University of Port Harcourt and Rivers State, Prof. Faith Ken-Aminikpo, has delivered the institution’s 211th inaugural lecture to widespread acclaim, highlighting the critical role of theatre in modern education.
The inaugural lecture, titled “Playing and Learning: The Siamese Twins,” was delivered on April 30, 2026, at the university campus in Port Harcourt before an audience comprising academics, traditional rulers, students, and members of the public.
The event attracted applause and commendations for the lecture’s intellectual depth, engaging delivery, and practical relevance to contemporary education.
In her presentation, Prof. Ken-Aminikpo challenged the misconception that Theatre Arts is merely entertainment or academically inferior to other disciplines. She stressed that theatre remains a powerful pedagogical tool capable of improving learning outcomes across diverse fields, including science, medicine, and technology.
According to her, theatre promotes creativity, discipline, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking, describing it as a holistic educational experience beyond acting and performance.
“Theatre is life itself. Every rehearsal is a learning process. Through theatre, we develop creativity, discipline, emotional intelligence, and critical thinking. It is not just about dancing or acting. It is a comprehensive educational experience,” she stated.
The professor, who is also the first PhD holder in the Department of Theatre Arts in Education at the university, described playing and learning as inseparable concepts that must coexist to achieve meaningful education.
She maintained that imaginative and participatory teaching methods significantly enhance students’ engagement, understanding, and retention.
Drawing from her personal teaching experience, Prof. Ken-Aminikpo recounted how she deployed visual aids and creative techniques to teach poetry during her early teaching career, leading to improved student performance.
She also cited the use of models and demonstrations by science teachers to simplify complex concepts as further evidence of the effectiveness of experiential learning methods.
As part of her recommendations, the theatre scholar proposed the establishment of a Centre for Theatre Arts in Education in universities to drive curriculum development, research, interdisciplinary collaboration, capacity building, and community engagement.
She further advocated the creation of a World Theatre-Inspired Children’s Learning Park, which she said would promote youth development, provide practical training opportunities, and generate revenue for institutions.
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended the inaugural lecturer for what he described as an intellectually stimulating and socially relevant contribution to knowledge.
Similarly, the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Prof J E Esmonde, described Prof. Ken-Aminikpo as an accomplished scholar whose work has significantly advanced theatre education in Nigeria and beyond.