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We’ve Achieved Our Vision In Education -Amaechi …To Unveil DATCO Cassava Plant, Dec
The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi says his administration has achieved its mission in transforming education in the state.
He made assertion during the 18th and 20th convocation of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori on Saturday in Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area.
Amaechi said one the goals of his administration is, ”to make Rivers State the hub of education sector, not only in Nigeria but also in Sub-Saharan Africa”.
He recalled that he had inherited a comatose educational system but is leaving with a more productive educational system capable of placing the state above shoulders in the comity of states in the country.
“We have made efforts to replace the guns in the hands of our misguided and misinformed youth. Education provides the youth with windows of opportunities,” the governor stated.
Amaechi further noted that, ”the recent nomination of Port Harcourt as the World Book Capital 2014 is an unprecedented achievement that has put Port Harcourt and Nigeria in global recognition.”
He opined that education remains the bedrock of any economy, and therefore, promised that his administration will continue to give the sector required attention to build an enlightened and productive citizenry.
Governor Amaechi used the convocation to reiterate the resolve of his administration to fund higher education in the state, saying, “one thing I promise before I leave office is that I will still fund you. In my handover note, I will state clearly that government has no business in opening schools if they have no business in funding those schools. They need to fund Rivers State University of Science and Technology, Rivers State Polytechnic, including the Rivers State University of Education as well as the Rivers State College of Arts and Science.”
In line with his promise to improve quality delivery in the polytechnic, he disclosed that he has approved the employment of more teachers, and tasked management to ensure better standard.
The Rivers State governor, however, decried the decrepit condition of education in the country, and tasked the Federal Government to be alive to its responsibilities.
Earlier in his remarks, Rector of the institution, Sir Obianko Nwolu-Elechi had commended the state government for the effort to improve standards in the institution.
So far, he stated that all the programmes of the polytechnic have been fully accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), adding that, “We have, therefore, put in place a system that will ensure excellence in staff recruitment and service delivery, ensure merit and performance as the major factors for promotion and appointment to sensitive positions, and strengthen staff and students’ commitment to hard work.”
According to him, about 4,000 students are graduating from the institution, noting that, “they have been equipped with necessary skills as well as entrepreneurial abilities to fit into the Nigerian economy.”
Elechi also commended Senator Magnus Abe representing Rivers South-East Senatorial District and the Deputy Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Leyii Kwanne for massively alleviating the sufferings faced by students from the senatorial district.
Meanwhile, Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi says the new cassava processing plant in Ban-Ogoi, Afam in Oyigbo Local Government Area of the state will be ready for production by December this year.
He said the cassava processing plant would not only provide employment for the people but also positively influence micro and macro economy.
Amaechi spoke on Friday after an inspection tour round the cassava processing facility together with former envoy of Netherlands to Nigeria, Mr. Bert Ronhaar.
He disclosed that the facility is owned by the Rivers State Government in partnership with the government of the Netherlands and Dutch Agricultural Training Company (DATCO).
Amaechi said: “This is a cassava processing plant, and it belongs to Rivers State Government and the Dutch Government, and a company called Dutch Agricultural Training Company (DATCO). It has been completed and is ready for commissioning in December but they need power, so we came to inspect to see what quantity of power they need so that they can start.
“It is for employment. The fact that the farmers are guaranteed the market at a good price is essential, so you can see that both micro and macro economy is affected as they will supply to the breweries and ensure that people grow cassava and market, and those who grow cassava will be guaranteed ready market. This will enable more persons to go into cassava farming because they are encouraged by the existence of market”.
Also speaking, Netherlands’ former Ambassador to Nigeria and board member of DATCO, Mr Bert Ronhaar expressed confidence that the processing plant would benefit the people of Rivers State as well as other Nigerians.
He said the mechanized system of processing cassava would ensure maximum use of the product to produce other items in the cassava value chain with a view to boosting the state’s economy.
“I am former Ambassador of the Netherlands to Nigeria, and I have always been an advocate for the support to the technology provided by DATCO and for the benefit of the people of Nigeria because three of these units in this factory can serve up to 20,000 farmers in Rivers State and beyond to gather cassava because you know cassava is a perishable product but these machines are able to do that processing. So, they handle the cassava and make it cassava cake and the cassava cake can last for at least six months, and then the cassava cake is transported to the factory by truck but because a lot of moisture has been taken out of the cassava by these machines, the weight you have to transport from the farm to the factory is less than half of what you normally do.
“So, it is all very economical for the farmers, and will create a lot of income for the farmers to have an outlet for the factory. A lot of people will benefit from it”, Ronhaar said.
On his part, Chief Executive Officer of DATCO, Mr Peter Bolt thanked Governor Amaechi for coming on the inspection, assuring that once the processing plant gets power supply, they would start the processing of cassava.
According to him, the processing plant would roll out 200 tonnes of cassava per day.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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CBN Donates 2m Bags Of Fertiliser Worth N100bn To Farmers
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has donated over 2 million bags of fertilisers worth N100 billion to farmers through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Mr Yemi Cardoso, the Governor of the CBN, presented the bags of fertilisers to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, on Wednesday in Abuja.
Cardoso said that the gesture aligned with a core objective of the apex bank and the agriculture ministry, which is food security.
He said that the initiative also resonated deeply with livelihoods of all Nigerians, and was aimed at curbing escalating cost of food.
“The CBN places a significant emphasis on maintaining price stability as one of its primary mandates.
“Food prices are a crucial component of inflation, especially considering that a substantial portion of household expenditure in Nigeria is allocated to food and non-alcholic beverages.
“This reinforces the critical need to address food inflation as a pivotal aspect of managing overall headline inflation, “ the CBN governor said.
Cardoso also said that the apex bank had been implementing measures to curb inflation over time.
“But in the short term, the inflationary pressure may persist, predominantly driven by escalating food prices.
“This is why we are strengthening our collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security with the shared objective of mitigating the surge in food prices.
“The CBN has veered away from direct quasi-fiscal intervention and transiting towards leveraging conventional monetary policy tools for executing monetary policy effectively.
“We want to extend our support and closer ties with Ministry, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) that bear this mandate.
“And we aim to enhance our partnership with the agriculture ministry to enhance food productivity and security “ he said.
In his response, Kyari, commended the apex bank for the kind gesture.
He assured the CBN governor that the fertilisers would be effectively distributed to farmers.
“We will deliver the fertilisers to the farmers and ensure its judicious use to address the galloping inflation, “ he said.
The Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Sen. Atiku Bagudu, who was also present at the event, commended the CBN for the gesture towards price stability.
According to Bagudu, 2.15 million bags of fertilisers will go a long way towards controlling the ever increasing cost of food.
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