News
Amaechi Plans New Incentives For Teachers
Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi has announced
plans to introduce new incentives for teachers in the state, as he stressed
government’s resolve to beef-up training and inspection of schools.
Speaking at the 2012 World Teachers Day celebrations held in
Isaac Boro Park, Port Harcourt last Friday, the Rivers State chief executive
assured that his administration was poised to revolutionalise the education
sector.
Amaechi hinted that the incentive will precede the
re-certification exercise that government has planned for teachers throughout
the state.
“By 2015, by God’s grace, we can look at if it is possible
to include incentives to encourage you people to teach. That is not your
salary, but small allowances here and there. If you are in the rural and
semi-urban areas, you will get allowances. The ones in the township will not
get, they are enjoying here”, he said.
The Rivers State governor emphasized that teaching is a
noble profession and not for drop outs and jobless people, adding that they
need to be rewarded adequately.
Aside recertification, Amaechi said henceforth Information
and Communication Technology (ICT) will be made compulsory as part of
qualification for teaching in government schools, explaining that this has
become important since government is equipping the new model schools with ICT
facilities.
He stated that the new Education Quality Assurance Law being
pursued by his administration is aimed at strengthening inspection and
monitoring of schools, and warned teachers against sabotaging government free
education policy.
Responding to request made by the state chairman, Nigeria
Union of Teachers (NUT) on the need to provide imprest to the school heads for
the day-to-day running of schools, the governor said,”the teachers will be the
people that will benefit from the tax. Because that tax we are collecting is
for education and health. It is not going to government”.
Governor Amaechi also promised to partner the state NUT in
building its new Teachers’ House in Port Harcourt.
In his remarks earlier, Chairman of NUT, Chief Moses Adiela
had lauded the governor for his educational initiatives, especially the new
model schools.
Chief Adiela also commended the governor for raising
manpower through the employment of the 13,000 teachers, but pleaded on him to
address the backlog of promotion of some teachers in the state since 2008.
Also speaking, Prof B Asuru observed that currently, the
state was taking a lead as a result of the new educational policies of the
government.
He, therefore, charged the teachers to be more committed to
work by supporting government laudable initiatives in the sector.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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