News

RVHA Upgrades RSCOE TO University Status

Published

16 years ago

October 16, 2009

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday passed into law, the State University of Education bill seeking to upgrade the State College of Education to a university status.

The passage of the bill into law followed the unanimous adoption of the House Committee on Education report chaired by Hon Maureen Tamuno by the state legislators.

The law aims at providing facilities for effective teaching and learning in education related disciplines with particular reference to the needs and aspirations of the state and the purpose of producing graduates and non-graduate teachers.

It would also produce teachers in technical science, humanities, social sciences, management sciences and other related fields for development programmes in education.

Presenting the committee’s report during the plenary session, the Chairman of the Education Committee, Hon Maureen Tamuno stated that during the public hearing, over 200 persons who expressed their views decried non release of results to students of the state College of Education by the University of Ibadan, as a problem.

Hon Maureen opined that when the present College of Education is upgraded to a university status, it would create employment opportunities to the people of the state as well as, provide accessible education opportunities for the teeming Rivers students who are seeking admission for higher learning.

According to her, the university would hold examinations and award degrees, diplomas, certificates and other distinctions to persons who have pursed courses of study approved by the university and have satisfied laid down requirements.

She urged the lawmakers to consider the interest of the state and pass the bill into law without further delay, adding that the College has all it takes to be transformed into a university.

The report of the committee was later adopted as the working document of the House through a motion moved by Hon Anthony Okeah (Obalga II) and seconded by Ogiri Henry (Abua/Odua I). Contributing during the debate, Hon Ogiri Henry, Emmanuel Okatta and Onari Brown while commending the committee for a comprehensive report on the bill noted that the importance of the bill can not be over emphasized.

The lawmakers stated that the transformation of the state college of education into university is historic and urged their colleagues to pass the bill into law so that the people of the state could begin to reap the benefits of the transformation.

The lawmakers recounted the dilemma students of the college encountered due to the accreditation and regulations by the University of Ibadan where the college is affiliated, adding that such circumstance would no longer persist.

Hon Aye Pepple (Bonny), Ewornname (Ahoada East I) and Hon Taneh Felicia (Tai) urged the authorities of the institution to decentralise it by ensuring that off campuses were opened in the rivernine areas of the state.

The Speaker, Rt Hon Tonye Harry who presided over the session thanked the legislators for their commitment toward the passage of the bill into law.

It would be recalled that the Rivers State University of Education bill was passed into law by the 5th Assembly in 2007 but could not be assented too by the erstwhile governor of the state , Dr Peter Odili.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

1 day ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.