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Niger Delta

Delta Demotes Principals Over Illegal Collections

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The principals of Our Lady’s Model Girls High School and Urhobo Model College, both in Effurun have been removed and posted to secondary schools in Asaba as classroom teachers for collections illegal fees and disobedience to constituted authorities.

This was disclosed in Effurun by the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare when he met with the Uvwie Traditional Council in the Palace of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom.

Professor Muoboghare said that he took the decision to bring sanity into the schools as well as serve as deterrent to others who believe that they could flout the directives of the ministry with impunity.

He stated that  era of treating erring school heads and recalcitrant teachers with kid gloves was over and therefore called on those involved in such nefarious acts to desist forthwith in their own interest.

The commissioner appealed to the Ovie-in- Council to take a second look at the situation of things in both primary and secondary schools in Effurun and its environs concerning indiscipline amongst the pupils and students, stressing that if nothing was done to curb their excesses, it would be difficult to have teachers to remain and teach in schools in the area.

Professor Muoboghare equally called on parents and guardians to show interest in the well being of their children and wards, saying they had a very big role to play in moulding their characters instead of leaving everything in the hands of the teachers.

Responding, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, HRH Emmanuel Sideso Abe 1, appealed to the state government to take full possession of the large expanse of land donated to Ekpan Basic School by chasing away the miscreants who had turned part of the school premises to their abode thereby constituting security risks to the school and its environs.

While assuring the commissioner of their support to the policies of the state government, the Ovie appealed to the ministry to award contracts to reputable contractors that would put up structures that could stand the test of time.

In his brief remark, the President General of Uvwie Development Union, Chief Saturday Onoge accused some principals of public schools in Uvwie of collecting illegal levies before admitting children to their schools and therefore appealed to the commissioner to take decisive action against such characters.

In another development, the State Commissioner for Basic and Secondary Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare urged teachers to be agents of change in grooming future leaders.

He made the appeal at Umunede when he paid an unscheduled visit to Ede Grammar School, Umunede in Ika North East Local Government Area.

Professor Muoboghare said that the primary mandate of the teachers was to mould the child who, on his or her first day in the school was timid but with time was expected to acquire new knowledge and skills from the teachers.

He therefore advised teachers to carry out their duties conscientiously so that they would be able to produce children that would stand on their own in the future.

The commissioner appealed to some teachers in the school who were always late to work to have a change of heart in their own interest, saying that ministry would not hesitate to sanction them if they continued in the act.

Professor Muoboghare directed the two Principals, Mr. B.C. Iheme and Mrs. Georgina Akpovi to ensure that the sports field was cleared of weeds immediately.

He equally admonished the Youth Corpers serving in the school to dress properly to school and ensure that they teach their lessons without fail.

The Commissioner however expressed happiness with the Home Economics teacher for preparing students that could bake cake and prepare a variety of snacks.

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Niger Delta

Court Declares DESTMA Activities Unconstitutional

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The Delta State High Court sitting in Warri has declared the power of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority (DESTMA) to arrest traffic offenders and impose fines as illegal and unconstitutional.
In a judgment delivered on Wednesday in Suit No. W/348/2016: Chuks Christian Ofili v. Attorney-General of Delta State & Anor, Hon. Justice Ejiro Emudainowho struck down Section 18(1) of the Delta State Traffic Management Authority Law, 2013, holding that it conflicts with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The court held that DESTMA and its officials lacked the legal authority to impose fines, penalties or sanctions, or to confiscate vehicle number plates without first charging and securing a conviction before a competent court.
Justice Emudainowho ruled that the seizure of the claimant’s number plate and the imposition of a N30,000 fine without trial amounted to a “flagrant violation” of the claimant’s right to fair hearing and freedom of movement under Sections 36(1) and 41(1) of the constitution.
Among other reliefs, the court set aside the “Notification of New Traffic Offences and Penalties” issued against the claimant, ordered the refund of N30,000 paid for the release of the number plate, awarded N500,000 as legal costs and N300,000 as damages, with 10 percent interest per annum.
Reacting to the judgment, the claimant’s counsel, Olukunle Ogheneovo Edun, said the ruling affirms constitutional supremacy.
“The court was clear that only a competent court of law can impose penalties. Administrative agencies cannot assume judicial powers”, he said.
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Niger Delta

COAS Praises Bayelsa On Military Welfare … As Diri Hands Over Residential Quarters To Army Chief

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The Nigerian Army has commended the Bayelsa State Government for promoting the welfare of its officers and men as part of efforts to enhance peace and security in the state.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, gave the commendation on Thursday when he led other senior military officers on a courtesy/condolence visit to the State Governor, Douye Diri, in Government House, Yenagoa.
Gen. Shaibu praised the Bayelsa government for constructing and handing over residential accommodation to the Nigerian Army 16 Brigade at Elebele.
The army chief noted that the initiative would greatly ease the brigade’s accommodation challenges.
Shaibu, who explained that he was on a maiden operational visit to the state to assess the combat readiness of men and officers of the Command, also commiserated with the governor and the Ewhrudjakpo family on the passing of the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo.
“My reason for coming here are two-fold. We are here for my maiden operational visit to the 6th Division area of  responsibility, which also covers Bayelsa State.
“I’m also here with a heart of gratitude and appreciation for what you have done for the 16 Brigade, which is the construction and completion of apartments  made up of nine units of three bedroom flats for non-commissioned officers and two blocks of nine units of two bedroom apartments for non-commissioned officers.
“This gesture will go a long way in mitigating the accommodation challenges that the Brigade is facing. It will be a great relief for the Nigerian Army”, he said.
Responding, Diri thanked Gen. Shaibu for acknowledging the modest contribution of the state government towards improving the safety of lives and property of the citizenry.
He lauded the various security agencies for exhibiting a high sense of professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
 “I like to use this opportunity to commend the Nigerian Army and other armed forces for what you are doing to ensure that Nigeria is safe and secure. For us in government, we all appreciate and understand that you are making sacrifices for our public safety.
“I implore you to continue to do what you are doing very well at all times. We are always here to support you in whichever form that we can, so that you will also have a conducive environment to enable you discharge your duties creditably.
“l’m equally happy that we were able to start and complete those buildings. We know that, like you rightly said, it will ease the accommodation demands of the officers in the 16 Brigade”, he said.
By; Ariwera  Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Eno Inaugurates Committees On TSA, International Airport Status 

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Akwa Ibom State Governor, Umo Eno, has inaugurated two inter-ministerial committees to supervise the implementation of the International Airport Status for the Victor Attah International Airport, and for the Treasury Single Account for Internally Generated Revenues.
While inaugurating the committees at the Government House, Uyo, Eno expressed confidence in the competence of the members of the committee to achieve the mandate.
“The committees’ establishment marks another strategic step in the administration’s drive to strengthen governance systems.
“It will also ensure the fast-tracking and the completion of major development projects in the state”, the Governor said.
He further said the members of the Inter-Ministerial Committee on International Airport Status Implementation include Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Enobong Uwah, who would serve as the Chairman.
Others are the Commissioner for Finance/Special Duties, Mr. Emem Bob; the Managing Director, Ibom Air, Mr. George Uriesi; and Mr. Ephraim Udosen, Permanent Secretary for Special Duties, among others.
“The Inter-Ministerial Committee on the Implementation of TSA-IGR has Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emem Bob, as Chairman.
“Others are the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Uko Udom, SAN; Commissioner for Science and Digital Economy, Dr. Frank Ekpenyong; Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs,  Mr. Frank Archibong; Commissioner for Lands, Dr. Ubong Inyang, among others.”
The Governor noted that the members’ expertise would contribute significantly to the state’s infrastructural growth and financial stability.
He urged them to intensify efforts and ensure that all preparatory works remained on schedule.
“I charge the committee on the state’s airport with the responsibility of ensuring accelerated progress and meeting all required benchmarks ahead of the facility’s operational kick-off in April, 2026.
“I expect this committee to work tirelessly to ensure the realisation and commencement of full operations at the international airport by the first week of April 2026″, he said.
Eno emphasised the need for transparency, fiscal discipline and effective coordination across government agencies, saying that no agency of government was permitted to operate a single independent account.
He reaffirmed the termination of contracts for consultants on revenue generation, adding that all revenue must be generated and expended through a unified treasury account.
The Governor urged all MDAs to work with the Inter-Ministerial Committee, headed by the Commissioner for Finance to ensure that the expected results were achieved and on time.
He maintained that tenement rates would be paid into the treasury single account and urged full compliance from homeowners across the state.
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