Rivers
RSG Commits To Revamp Rehabilitation Homes
Rivers State Government has promised to revamp the different Rehabilitation Homes in the State for the overall social and mental well-being of the vulnerables.
The Commissioner, Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Arugu Ilamu, made the promise during his official tour of the state-owned rehabilitation facilities including the Rehabilitation Centre, Iriebe, Motherless Babies Home, Remand Home and Safe Home, in Borikiri, Port Harcourt, recently.
Speaking to newsmen, Ilamu commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his tireless efforts in ensuring the smooth functioning of the homes stating that the Ministry under his administration would leave no stone unturned in expediting and implementing actions on the needs of the homes.
Ilamu explained that his visit to the homes was necessitated by the Governor Fubara-led administration’s top priority to cater for the welfare of the vulnerable in the State, which he said would be achieved by a firsthand information and knowledge of the happenings in the homes, assuring that the situation in the homes would be improved to meet the standards of rehabilitation homes.
In his words, “Upon resumption of office, I was briefed of our facilities and it is only right that I come and take a firsthand look at the place and get a firsthand knowledge of what is going on here.
“I want to begin by extensively thanking our dear Governor, His Excellency, Siminalayi Fubara, for providing the enablement to take care of these homes and children. He is doing a wonderful job and we are going to make sure we put in our best to accelerate the solutions to whatever problems we have come to see”.
Ilamu who stressed the importance of good mental state of the rehab patients insisted on fast tracking some of the protracted and lingered cases with a call on the staff of the different homes to shun laxity and live up to their duties.
“All the cases here that we know that want to go home and are qualified, please, do me a memo as fast as possible let’s see how we can fast track it and let them have their peace. This is because when you are not where you are supposed to be, it’s like a solitary no matter the environment. It’s your conscience, your heart, that is the most important thing. So, let’s fast track these cases”.
He noted that some of the facilities particularly the Safe Home were underutilised, saying “we will make sure that cases that are supposed to be referred here come here. So, please, all staff in charge, take this seriously”.
The Commissioner further noted the kind gestures of donors within and outside the state towards the homes regretting however that such efforts were not recorded for recognition and appreciation by the State government.
“I know that there are good Nigerians who help us in this work but they are not mentioned. They are not being appreciated and that should stop. From today, any Nigerian who comes to this home to donate one Kobo, we want to hear their names because we need to appreciate them publicly”.
“That is the only way we can show goodwill. People cannot come and donate things and nobody is telling them thank you. No society grows like that. If people notice that they are being appreciated, they will do more to assist the government because government cannot do it all on its own. We need to start to learn to tell people thank you”, Ilamu stated.
Some of the Rehab Patients who were there on account of drug abuse, drug addiction, accident, anger mismanagement among others insisted that their mental state had improved tremendously, courtesy of the homes.
They further commended the state governor and the ministry for the care and attention accorded them and prayed God to endow the administration with more grace and progress.
Ilamu was accompanied on the tour by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr Justina Jumbo alongside other Directors of the ministry.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu
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.