Connect with us

News

RSG Posts 13,000 Teachers Soon …Partners UNITAR On Floods

Published

on

The Rivers State Government would soon deploy the newly recruited 13,201 teachers to various schools across the state for the commencement of their teaching careers.
Indication to this emerged on Monday during the induction of the teachers, 50 of whom are physically challenged.
Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, while declaring open the programme, said that the recruitment would guarantee that every public school enjoyed the services of good teachers.
Dame Lawrence-Nemi described the programme with the theme: “Teachers of Distinction”, as part of government efforts in building a culture of excellence in education, saying that the training would improve talent  and create good relationship among stakeholders.
She urged the teachers to take advantage of the opportunity to further improve  their competence and skill and directed those yet to get their appointment letters to  see the Board chairman.
Chairman of BRACED, professor Jose Aisuku who described the programme as a land mark achievement said that with the progress made, the state will soon see quality education  in all ramifications, worthy of emulation by other states.
Chairman of the Rivers State Advisory Council and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs likened Governor Amaechi  to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who laid the foundation for education revolution in Western Nigeria.
Prof Briggs also said that the innovation will transform education in the state, stressing that the programme will go a long way in character moulding in schools and also help improve educational opportunities for the subsequent generation of Rivers children.
Also speaking, the chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon Augustine Ngo said that the Rivers State House of Assembly will support every effort by the government to improve the quality of education in the state.
A cross section of the new teachers who spoke to The Tide described the ceremony as a welcome development, noting that it will put them in the right perspective to perform their task better.
The ceremony, which would last for four weeks is taking place at Model Girls Secondary School, Rumuene, Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta and Government Girls Secondary School Oromenike.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to tackle the challenges for flood disaster in the state.
The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, said the partnership will help in addressing issues of perennial flooding and cushion the devastating effects through adroit mitigating measures and training of personnel on flood disaster management.
The governor, who declared open a 10-day special training programme on flood risk management orgainsed by the ministry of Special Duties and UNITAR in Port Harcourt, yesterday, enjoined the participants to take seriously the lesson learnt from the training to improve their expertise in flood management.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Energy, Chief Okey Amadi, attributed most causes of flood to improper disposal of wastes as well as building along water channels and cautioned against such practices.
Speaking at the training event held under the theme: ‘capacity building in flood management in Rivers State, Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe, explained that the training was aimed at stepping up measures to avert a recurrence of the devastating flood recorded in the state.
The commissioner said participants  at the training were drawn from line ministries including, environment, health, power and other relevant agencies  and stakeholders, who are expected to bring their experiences to bear in handling issues of flooding in the disaster prone LGAs.
According to the commissioner, the training will afford participants the opportunity to explore better ways of doing things and be exposed to more discernible experiences and methodologies in flood disaster management.
On his part, resident representative of UNITAR in Nigeria, Dr Larry Boms said the training was a milestone in the UNITAR/ Rivers State Government partnership on  flooding, and expressed confidence that the programme will empower the participants with the requisite skills to be more effective in addressing today’s growing development challenges in flooding.
He pointed out that Rivers State, by its location in the Niger Delta region, remains one of the most susceptible to flooding in Nigeria.
Some of the participants, who spoke with The Tide, thanked the Ministry of Special Duties for the programme, and assured that the experience will be put into practices in the state.

Continue Reading

News

I’m Committed To Community Dev – Ajinwo

Published

on

The Sole Administrator of Emohua Local Government Area, Barr. Franklin Ajinwo, has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to supporting community development, peace, and progress, describing it as his life’s calling.
Ajinwo made this known on when Okporowo Vanguard—a foremost association dedicated to driving sustainable development in Okporowo community—paid him a courtesy visit at the Council Secretariat, Emohua.

Speaking during the visit, the Emolga  Council boss advised the group to shun internal wranglings and leadership tussles, cautioning that such impediments could undermine their collective goals. He emphasized that unity is strength, and true power comes only from God.

Highlighting his ongoing efforts in repositioning standards within Emohua Local Government, Barr. Ajinwo commended Okporowo Vanguard for initiating plans to conduct large-scale skills acquisition training for young people in Okporowo. He assured them of his steadfast support towards such developmental initiative.

The former Chairman of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) in Rivers State stressed the need for selfless service, saying it is essential for achieving peace, unity, and development in any community.

He applauded the group’s vision of empowering youths through skills acquisition, aligning it with global best practices aimed at reducing dependency on white-collar jobs.

Earlier, the President of Okporowo Vanguard, Hon. Israel Emeji, outlined Barr. Ajinwo’s numerous and impactful contributions to the development of Okporowo community.

According to him, every family in the community has benefited from Barr. Ajinwo’s dedicated employment initiatives.

Hon. Emeji disclosed that during his tenure as Head of Local Government Administration (HLGA) and as NULGE Chairman, Barr. Ajinwo facilitated the employment of over five hundred (500) individuals from Okporowo community—a record that informed the association’s decision to honour him with the Excellent Leadership Award.

In a vote of thanks, the Secretary of the group, Dr. Okechukwu Godwin Amadi, praised Barr. Ajinwo’s outstanding leadership and unwavering support, both before and after his appointment as Sole Administrator.

He thanked him for the warm reception and appreciated members of Okporowo Vanguard for their strong turnout and continuous support for the present administration.

In their separate remarks, Barr. Kelvin Ajinwo, Chief Polycarp Ndala, and other dignitaries present prayed for God’s continued guidance and protection over Barr. Ajinwo, describing him as a divine gift to the Okporowo community.

They expressed hope that he would be granted even more leadership opportunities to further uplift the living standards of the people.

Continue Reading

News

RSG Tasks Rural Dwellers On RAAMP  …As Sensitization Team Visits Akulga, Degema, Three Others

Published

on

Rivers State Head of Service, Dr (Mrs) Inyingi Brown, has called on rural communities in the State to embrace the Rural Access and Agricultural marketing project (RAAMP) with a view to improving their  living conditions.

This follows the ongoing sensitization campaign by the State Project Implementation Unit (SPIU) visits to Degema, Abonnema, Afam headquarters of Degema, Akuku Toru and Oyigbo Etche and Omuma local government areas respectively.

Dr Brown who was represented by the Deputy Director, Special Duties in her office, Mrs Dein Akpanah, said RAAMP was initiated by the Federal Government and World Bank to economically empower rural dwellers.s

She said the World Bank understands the plights of rural farmers and traders in the State, and therefore came up with the programme to address them.

According to her, RAAMP will improve the conditions of farmers, traders and fishermen, and therefore, behoves on every rural communities in the State to embrace the programme.

The Head of Service also said the programme would support the youths to be gainfully employed while  bridges and roads will be built to link farms and fishing settlements.

Also speaking, the State project coordinator, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the programme has the potential of creating millionaires among farmers and fishermen in the State.

Kpakol who was represented by Engr. Sam Tombari, said RAAMP would help farmers and fishermen to preserve their produce.

According to him, the project will build cold rooms and Silos for preservation of crops and fishes while access roads will also be created to link farmers and fishermen to the market.

He, however, warned them against any act that will lead to the suspension of the projects by the World Bank.

Kpakol particularly warned against acts such as kidnapping, marching ground, gender based violence and child labour, adding that such acts if they occur may  lead to the cancellation of the project by the World Bank.

During the visit to Oyigbo local government area, Mr Joshua Kpakol, said the team was there to let them know how they will benefit from the Raamp.

The coordinator who was personally at Oyigbo said the World Bank introduced the project to check food insecurity in the State.

He said already 19 states in Nigeria are already benefitting from the project and called on them to embrace the project.

Meanwhile, stakeholders in the three local government areas have commended the World Bank for including their areas in the project.

They, however, complained over the incessant attacks by pirates on their waterways.

At Degema, King Agolia of Ke kingdom said land was a major problem in the kingdom.

King Agolia represented by High Chief Alpheus Damiebi said many indigenes of the kingdom are willing to go into farming but are handicapped by lack of land.

Also at Degema, the representative of the Omu Onyam Ekeim of Usokun Degema kingdom, Osoabo Isaac, said Degema has embraced the programme but needed more information on the implementation of the programme.

Similarly, while High Chief Precious Abadi advised that the project should not be narrowed to only crop farming, a community women leader, Mrs Orikinge Eremabo Otto, called for the construction of cold rooms in all fishing settlements in the area.

At Abonnema, Mr Diamond Kio linked the problem of the area to incessant piracy along waterways.

He also expressed fears over the possibility of the project being hijacked by politicians.

Also at Abonnema, a stakeholder, Ikiriko Kelvin, called on the World Bank to design an agricultural project that will suit the riverine environment, while at Oyigbo, HRH Eze Boniface Akawo expressed satisfaction with the project.

 

John Bibor

 

Continue Reading

News

Senate Replaces Natasha As Committee Chairman 

Published

on

The political mudslinging between the Senate leadership and Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan continued yesterday as the Senate named Senator Aniekan Bassey as the new Chairman of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the appointment during yesterday’s plenary, confirming Bassey’s replacement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, who is currently on suspension.

Akpoti-Uduaghan was reassigned to the Diaspora and NGOs Committee in February after she was removed as Chair of the Senate Committee on Local Content during a minor reshuffle.

Bassey is the senator representing Akwa Ibom North-East Senatorial District.

Although no reason was given for her removal yesterday, the change is believed to be connected to her unresolved suspension.

In May, Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court ordered her reinstatement and directed her to tender an apology to the Senate.

However, the Senate has insisted it has not received a certified true copy of the court judgment.

Akpoti-Uduaghan who represents Kogi Central, has yet to resume her legislative duties despite a recent court ruling that voided her suspension.

In a televised interview on Tuesday, Akpoti-Uduaghan said she was awaiting the Certified True Copy of the judgment before officially returning to plenary, citing legal advice and respect for institutional process.

Although the Federal High Court described her suspension as “excessive and unconstitutional”, a legal opinion dated July 5 and attributed to the Senate’s counsel, Paul Daudu (SAN), argued that the ruling lacked any binding directive to enforce her reinstatement.

Akpoti-Uduaghan, one of only three female senators in the current assembly, said the continued delay in allowing her return was not only a denial of her mandate but also a blow to democratic representation.

“By keeping me out of the chambers, the Senate is not just silencing Kogi Central, it’s denying Nigerian women and children representation. We are only three female senators now, down from eight,” she said.

 

 

Continue Reading

Trending