Politics
RVHA Passes Education Qquality Assurance Agency Bill
The Rivers State House of Assembly, has finally passed, the State Education
Quality Assurance Agency bill after three unsuccessful attempts.
The law, which is
expected to be operational when the State governor puts his assent on it,
empowers the Agency to regulate standards in both private and public schools in
the state.
The passage of the
bill Tuesday, followed amendments to the report of the House Committee on
Education after its public Hearing aimed at receiving contributions from
stakeholders and the public to strengthen the relevance of the proposed law.
In their separate contributions on the bill, members
stressed the importance of quality education in the state, realizing that
structures alone cannot guarantee standards but concerted efforts must be made
through the instrumentality of the law.
The Leader of the House, Hon. Chidi Lloyd and Hon. Ibelema
Okpokiri, identified fundamental confusion in the report of the Education
Committee, stressing that what the proposed law requires is to set the tune for
the agency to operate.
They argued that section 4 (e) was not necessary because Cap
47 and 48 of the existing Education law has taken care of the new schedule
proposed in the report, and urged the lawmakers to set aside that portion of
the report and pass the bill.
Hon. Michael Okey-Chinda, representing Obio/Akpor
Constituency 11, posited that since Cap 47 and 48 of the Education Law would be
utilized by the Quality Assurance Agency, the bill should be pigeon holed until
the relevant sections of the principal law was amended in line with current
realities.
Hon. Nname Ewor, Ahoada East 1, Onari Brown, Akuku-Toru 1,
urged the House to effect amendment in the report and pass the bill to allow
the Agency commence work, while the relevant amendments in the Education bill
can be done later.
When the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Otelemaba Amachree, divided the
House, the lawmakers voted 14 against two in favour of the amendment in the
report of the House Committee on Education and subsequently passed the bill.
Meanwhile, the people of Mgbu-Osimini and Rumueme in
Obio/Akpor Local Government council petitioned the Assembly on the non chalant
attitude of Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) over the toxic spill in their
communities and prayed the Assembly to intervene.
The Speaker, after hearing the petition as presented by
their representative, Hon. Michael Okey-Chinda, directed the Standing House
Committee on Environment to handle the matter and report its findings to the
House.
Politics
Alleged Coup: Protests Rock N’Assembly As Detained Officers’ Children, Wives Demand Justice
Scores of children and wives of military officers detained over an alleged coup plot yesterday staged a peaceful protest at the National Assembly, demanding a speedy trial and the release of the accused officials.
The protesters who gathered at the entrance of the National Assembly complex, moved in a slow procession while clutching placards with inscriptions such as “Don’t Kill Our Daddies,” “Detention Without Trial is Injustice,” and “Six Months of Torture: Enough Is Enough.”
Amid tears and trembling voices, the children appealed for justice and access to their detained fathers, many of whom they said they had not seen for months.
The appeal was made during a press briefing in Abuja attended by no fewer than 20 wives and several children of the detained officers, including a two-month-old baby.
The families were accompanied by human rights lawyer, Deji Adeyanju and activist Omoyele Sowore.
At the briefing, the families lamented that the officers had been held for over 160 days without trial or contact with their relatives, describing the situation as a violation of their fundamental rights.
Speaking on behalf of the families, Memuna Bashiru said the prolonged detention had thrown their households into uncertainty and emotional distress, noting that while allegations had been widely publicised, families remained in the dark about the fate of their loved ones.
The arrest of the indicted officers was first announced on October 4, 2025, by the then Director of Defense Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, who disclosed that 16 officers were taken into custody for alleged breaches of military regulations and acts of indiscipline.
However, an interim investigation later suggested the existence of a clandestine network of officers, allegedly coordinated by a senior Army officer, which had begun preliminary planning for a coup.
According to the report, the alleged plot involved surveillance of key national assets, including the Presidential Villa, Armed Forces Complex, Niger Barracks in Abuja, and major international airports, with October 25, 2025, cited as the planned date for the operation.
Those reportedly in custody include Brig Gen M. A. Sadiq, Col M. A. Maaji, Lt Col S. Bappah, Lt Col A. A. Hayatu, Lt Col P. Dangnap, Lt Col M. Almakura, Maj A. J. Ibrahim, Maj M. M. Jiddah, Maj M. A. Usman, Maj D. Yusuf, Capt I. Bello, Capt A. A. Yusuf, Lt S. S. Felix, Lt Cdr D. B. Abdullahi, Sqn Ldr S. B. Adamu and Maj I. Dauda.
The alleged plot, according to findings, targeted senior government officials, including President Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.
In a statement issued yesterday, the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mr Felix Morka, said the exercise would take place in all wards and designated centres nationwide.
He called on existing members to update their records, while encouraging new entrants to join the party through the digital platform.
“As the electronic membership registration exercise resumes in all wards and designated locations nationwide, we urge existing members to validate their membership while new members are encouraged to register and join the progressive family,” Mr Morka said.
According to him, eligibility for registration is limited to individuals aged 18 and above who possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN).
The party said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise its operations by transitioning to a digital database that would enhance record accuracy and accessibility.
Mr Morka noted that the e-registration would “digitise the party’s membership register, ensure the integrity of records, and enhance efficient access to membership data for planning and management decisions.”
He added that the move is also aimed at promoting internal democracy within the party and strengthening its commitment to democratic innovation.
The APC had previously introduced electronic registration as part of broader reforms to streamline its membership system and improve organisational efficiency.
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