Rivers
New Rumuolumeni DPO Assures IAUE Of Effective Security
The New Divisional Police Officer (DPO) for Rumuolumeni Police Station, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ngozi Ada Oha, has assured Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port-Harcourt that the Force would create a safe and secured environment for Staff, Students and University Community.
Speaking when she paid a familiarisation visit to the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, recently, at the Council Chambers of the University, CSP Oha said she would deploy effective protective measures to prevent and mitigate threats and challenges in the institution arising from co-habitation of multitude of staff and students from different backgrounds, with diverse political ideologies, different orientations, trainings and religious inclinations.
She disclosed that most students join cultism not necessarily because they are cowards, but more because they have low self esteem, inferiority complex and want to undo each other, their lecturers and others that they perceive as weak and enemies.
DPO Oha described cultism as worse than stealing, and tantamount to killing, and encouraged those threatened to speak up.
She said they would regularly patrol round the campus to deter and respond to any criminal activity so as to bring to the barest minimum the menace of cult related activities.
The DPO, who informed that she enrolled in the Nigerian Academy since 2005, said she has served the force at different levels and capacities across the country, hinting that she has rendered security services at Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Lagos States before being transferred back to Rivers State.
She called for collaboration and partnership with the University Authority, on intelligence gathering to gain timely information communicated on potential security threats in the ivory tower.
Oha, who emphasized that information is key to solving societal problems, solicited for support in addressing security issues to ensure that the affirmation by the Director of the Rivers State Security Service that Ignatius Ajuru University of Education is the safest University in the South-South region of the Country remains the same under her watch.
She enumerated some of her achievements since she assumed office as Rumuolumeni Divisional Police Officer as uncovering plot by some cultists who came with cult badges for distribution at the Rumuolumeni Community, arrest of Operation Special Protection Area Command (OSPAC) Member who came to operate at the Rumuolumeni Community and “one chance operators” who came all the way from Ngwa in Abia State to carry out their nefarious activities in Port-Harcourt.
DPO Oha assured that her team would work amicably with the University to sanitize the institution and its environs.
Responding, the Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Onuchuku, thanked the DPO for initiating the visit and for the synergy.
While agreeing that institutions of higher learning and surrounding environment are sometimes volatile, he stressed the need to separate those who are just in the school to forment trouble with their devilish acts from those that are good and genuinely want to study.
He stated that “if a conscious and deliberate effort is not put in place to ensure a safe environment for the protection of the few good students, the likely tendency would be that the bad ones would influence and corrupt thereby creating a greater problem for everyone”.
Professor Onuchuku stated further that the University has zero tolerance for cultism, hinting that cultism is outdated as those who were once members have realised that it is very unprofitable and are now joining reputable organisations and rendering voluntary services to help people in dire need.
He vowed to deal decisively with any student caught in the act to serve as a deterrent to others.
He informed the DPO about the forthcoming examinations, adding that this is one of the times that Cultists cause mayhem, assuring that his doors will remain open for them to visit and work out modalities on how to stem the tide of cult-related activities and mitigate their menace.
The Acting Vice Chancellor explained that the University tries to maintain peace during Student Union Government week by closely monitoring their activities to prevent hoodlums from taking advantage of the week.
He expressed dismay that rather than engage in intellectual based symposiums that would stimulate knowledge, students opt for activities like Jeans Carnival with its attendant reckless driving, Beauty Pageant, Rag Day, Parties that adds no value to their lives.
While thanking the team for the visit and looking forward to a stronger relationship, he guaranteed that the University would provide the necessary assistance, support and logistics for the Police to ensure adequate security of lives and property in the University and its environs.
In a vote of thanks, Superintendent of Police (SP) Leko Denis, also the Divisional Crime Officer (DCO) 1 of Rumuolumeni Police Division, appreciated the Acting Vice Chancellor for his comments and pledged that the force will work with the University to maintain law and order as well as prevent and control crime for the safety of all.
Also among the DPO’s entourage was the Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who is also the Station Officer (SO) of Rumuolumeni Police Division, ASP Alagba Emenike.
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.