Rivers

‘SMEs Growth, Key To Poverty Alleviation In Nigeria’

Published

19 hours ago

March 5, 2025

Chief Whip of the 8th Opobo/Nkoro Legislative Assembly, Hon Ayagogo Toby, has said the growth of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in Nigeria remains the key to poverty alleviation and a prosperous future for Nigerians.

Speaking with newsmen recently in Port-Harcourt on SMEs and the alleviation of poverty in the society, among other issues, Toby urged government at all levels to critically examine the need to revisit the issue of SMEs in the country.

She siad if given the required attention, it is capable of creating favourable development opportunities for Nigerians.

She called on President Bola Tinubu, the 36 State Governors and other stakeholders to revitalize the sector to enable Nigerians fit in, and develop themselves instead of depending on government for white- collar jobs.

The lawmaker, who represents Opobo/Nkoro Ward 2 in the Assembly, said Nigerians can still show appreciable interest in trade and industry, where the people should be encouraged financially and otherwise.

Toby noted that buying and selling remains one of the surest ways for prosperity and wealth creation, saying that in modern times, SMEs contribute significantly to the sustenance of economies of the world.

She disclosed that SMEs contributes more than 50 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in high income countries.

Bethel Toby

Rivers

Fubara Approves Building Admin Block, Hostels, Others For IAUE

Published

19 hours ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved the construction of key infrastructural projects in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE).

The Governor, who gave the approval midweek during his maiden visit to the institution, was responding to requests made by the Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor of the university, Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka, said his administration will do everything possible to improve the current state of the University.

Addressing the crowd, comprising virtually the entire university community and its host community, after a tour of the Main Campus, the Governor explained that he had come based on the request made by the Governing Council Chairman to provide additional facilities in the school.

Earlier, the Governing Council boss, Amiesimaka, had stressed the need for the Rivers State Government to intervene urgently in critical areas of the institution.

He noted that the achievements and progress recorded by the institution in terms of infrastructural development were mainly those provided by TETFund, though the University is under the control of the Rivers State Government.

He, however, lauded the University’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, “for managing the institution very well despite the lack of government presence”.

In his response, the Governor automatically granted the request made for the building of new hostels for both male and female students, a new administrative block, a health center, and a sports complex.

Addressing students of the university, Fubara appealed to them to “use the rare opportunity provided for them to attain sound education”.

He also urged them to ensure that they remain focused and achieve the purpose for which they are in the university.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Rivers

Group Predicts Garden City Status Return For Rivers … Lauds Fubara Over New RIWAMA Boss’ Appointment

Published

19 hours ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

An environmental health advocacy group in Nigeria, the Community Health and Advocacy Initiative (CHAIN), has said Rivers State will soon return to its Garden City status.

The South-South Project Coordinator of CHAIN, Engr. Sunny Andy Dimkpa, who stated this recently on the sidelines of a two-day workshop themed “Eat, Clean and Live” in Calabar, the Cross River State capital, said this is due to the leadership style and focus of the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara.

“Under the leadership of an astute administrator like Governor Fubara, who possesses extensive field knowledge in community health and the Rivers State environment, meaningful progress can be achieved”, he said.

Dimkpa used the fora to commend the State Governor for responding to the concerns of environmental stakeholders by strengthening waste management operations in the state, particularly with the appointment of Hon. Orukwem Amadi-Opareli as the Managing Director of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA).

He further praised the Governor for identifying young talents to drive key sectors of his economic reforms, noting that Amadi-Opareli’s leadership at RIWAMA signals the beginning of a transformative era for sanitation in Rivers State.

Describing Amadi-Opareli’s appointment as a clear testament to the Governor’s commitment to ridding Port Harcourt and its environs of filth, the CHAIN boss expressed optimism about the possibility of restoring Port Harcourt to its former Garden City status.

Towards this end, Dimkpa urged the new RIWAMA helmsman to “align the agency’s core mandate with Governor Fubara’s Sectoral Focus on Environment and Sanitation, while taking deliberate steps to engage communities and retraining of sanitation enforcement agents as a means of facilitating the efficient implementation of waste management policies”.

He also advocated for an improved sanitary culture among Rivers State residents, calling for the revival of the state’s monthly sanitation exercise.

Soibi Max-Alalibo

Rivers

Farmers Urge Govt, Corporate Bodies For Support … Wants More Youths In Farming

Published

19 hours ago

March 5, 2025

The Tide

The Association of Farmers and Food Processors in Rivers State has called on government and corporate bodies to do more to support practicing farmers in the state in order to successfully tackle the issue of food scarcity and continuous increase in price.

President of the association, Chisom Dike, who made the call while speaking with our correspondent in Port Harcourt, said the aim is to make food available for Rivers people.

He said the agricultural sector comprises more of the elderly, adding that there is a need for young people to venture into farm business as it help to increase food production and processing across the State.

“We don’t have enough farmers in Rivers State. Also, there are more of elderly people farming in the agric industry. It is a challenge because we are not producing enough food.

“We need more young people, whether male or female, to invest in farming as it is equally a lucrative business”, he said.

The Association of Farmers further called on the government and relevant bodies to see how the effects of flooding can be managed, knowing that great losses have been recorded over the years due to flooding.

“Most times when these flooding occur we lose a lot of top soil which is a major ingredient for planting. We also lose our livestock and also our animals are exposed to infection due to the floods”, he stated.

Dike also commended the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, for his interest in the agricultural industry, and for the commissioning of a Board of Directors to oversee the intended projects.

“We will like to appeal to the Ministry of Agriculture and other corporate bodies to be involved in promoting farming and food processing.

“The basic need of everybody is food, and if we can produce these foods, it will help in reducing crime”, he stated.

According to him, the level of criminal activities will be reduced if the price of commodities decreases across the State.

He also called on the State Government to pally with farmers of the state in order to know what their problems are, adding that Local Government Areas need to be equipped to be able to support farmers as most farming are done at the rural levels.

Iragunima Benice