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Two indigenes of Tai Local Government Area in Rivers State, both first class graduates of the Rivers State University (RSU) and the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport), last Friday, July 21, 2023, became recipients of N3 million educational support each from the council chairman, Hon. Mbakpone Okpe.
The presentation of the educational grants, which was part of activities marking the chairman’s second year in office, highlighted two years of “progressive development” in the LGA.
Presenting the cheques to Mr Emmanuel Tigbara (RSU) and Mr Hugo Victor Barine (Uniport), Tai council chairman, Mbakpone Okpe, stressed the importance of human capital development if a society is to achieve all-round development.
The grants, he said, are meant to enable the recipients further their education overseas, adding that the council, under his watch, is desirous of supporting citizens of the LGA to attain renown in their fields of endeavour.
Giving an account of his stewardship before Tai stakeholders, which included traditional rulers, the member representing Tai Constituency at the State House of Assembly, Hon. Ngbar Bernard Baridamue, elders, clerics, political elite and others, Hon Okpe said his administration has equitably distributed projects in all wards of the council area.
“Infrastructure is critical to development for us. We have been able to demonstrate a commitment to the continued socioeconomic development of our beloved local government area, particularly in education, health, social infrastructure, and other key sectors that have a direct and positive impact on our people.
“One of our promises was to provide infrastructure in all parts of our wards. During our campaign, I promised that our administration would implement projects in all wards of Tai Local Government Area to help our people and promote economic development,” he said, while highlighting the various projects initiated and completed in all the wards by his administration.
Some of these projects include: Remodeling and furnishing of the Tai Divisional Police Station and the DSS office; Construction of the Kpite Ultra-modern Market; Construction of the Tai Vocational Centre Koroma; Empowerment of Tai Youths in vocational training and Skill acquisition; Health Insurance Scheme to over 300 Tai Elderly to have access to free medical care; Tai Volunteer Health workers and Teachers Scheme; Special grants for Tai undergraduates; Grading of over 300km Sime/Kaani Ban Road; Grading of Bara-ale/Norkpo Road; Ongoing Construction of Modern Town Hall in Kira Community; Construction of Corpers’ Lodge in Nonwa; Construction of Corpers Lodge in Botem Community; Construction of Corpers’ Lodge in Bunu Community; Monthly Empowerment of Tai people to the tone of N33,782,000; Awarded grants worth N500,000 to each of the wives of soldiers who lost their life in service, among others.
A day earlier, on Thursday, the council chairman, Hon Okpe, in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), distributed relief materials to the people of local government area.
Materials distributed at the event, which was also part of activities marking the council chairman’s second anniversary, include: Beds, grinding machines, sewing machines, machetes, clippers, welding machines, shovels, food items, among others.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Okpe stressed the need for transparency and accountability in the distribution of the relief materials, and assured that Tai people benefited from the exercise irrespective of party affiliation.
Meanwhile, the National Union of Tai Students, has felicitated and appreciated “the silent achiever, dogged leader, grassroots mobiliser, political gladiator, Sir Chief Hon Mbakpone Friday Okpe, chairman of Tai LGA for making history in building human and developmental projects that’ll stand on the sands of time especially in education support to our colleagues in the struggle Comr Hugovictor Barine and Comr Engr Jc Emmanuel Teels for their post graduate study abroad.
“You’ve shown capacity and proven your love for education. It’s not all about one person but to us. May God reward your efforts and grant your heart desires to grow higher. We’re pleased and proud to identify with your sterling qualities,” they said.
