The Head of Service of Rivers State, Dr. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended the Institute of Public Analysts of Nigeria (IPAN) for choosing Port Harcourt to host its 33rd Mandatory Continuous Professional Development (MCPD) Workshop, tagged Port Harcourt 2026.
Dr. Brown, who gave the commendation while receiving a delegation from the Institute on a courtesy visit to her office, acknowledged the importance of the workshop and promised to attend in person, given her background in microbiology and environmental management.
She praised the organisers’ foresight in bringing the programme to Port Harcourt, adding that based on their request to have the State Governor in attendance, she will confirm from him.
She also advised the Institute to formally apply to the State Government for office space in Port Harcourt, saying the State Government would be keen to support the Institute for the good of the State.
The Head of Service added that her office would do what it could to ensure that sister ministries are mobilised to participate.
She said a memo will be sent to the heads of the relevant ministries, encouraging their staff to join the Institute for their personal development and, in turn, to raise professionalism in the service.
Earlier, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of IPAN, Aliyu Abdullahi Angara, explained that the delegation was at the Office of the Head of Service to formally seek the State’s support for the workshop.
He described the Institute as the body responsible for training and examination, registration of public analysis professionals, regulation of practice, product analysis and certification, and laboratory monitoring and inspection.
Angara said Rivers State was selected to host this year’s workshop, themed “Strengthening Stakeholders’ Collaboration for Effective and Sustainable Environmental Development and Management.”
He stressed the need to work closely with the government, particularly through ministries such as Health, Environment and Water Resources.
He also appealed for support in establishing a centre in Port Harcourt where professional examinations can be written, which would spare candidates in the South-South the burden of travelling to Lagos. In addition, he requested office accommodation in Port Harcourt for the Institute’s operations.
Angara disclosed that the the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has been named Chief Host of the event and is expected to honour the workshop in person.
He added that the Head of Service’s presence would add colour to the occasion, and thanked her for her warm reception.
The MCPD workshop is an annual event. This year’s edition will be held at Heliconia Park Hotel, Amadi-Ama, Port Harcourt, from Tuesday 3rd to Wednesday 4th November 2026.
- Godam is the Information/Public Relations Unit, Office of the Head of Service.