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State Security: Rivers PDP Tackles APC

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Following the reaction by the All Progressives Congress, (APC), on the security situation in parts of the state, alleging that until the current AIG,  and the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike are removed from office, the lives of innocent Rivers people, policemen and members of other security agencies will continue to be senselessly dispensed with without consequences, the Chairman, Rivers State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bro Felix Obuah has said that such position was unpatriotic, questionable, and should be investigated accordingly.
Obuah observed that rather than joining the government and other stakeholders to proffer solution to issues of criminality and security in the society, the APC leadership was relentlessly making efforts to cause havoc and create lawless situation in the state, by inciting the people and blackmailing the governor, the police and military authorities, as well as the leaders and members of the PDP in the state for selfish and ill-conceived political motive.
The PDP expressed concern that few weeks after one of the APC leaders, Magnus Abe, gave a directive to his supporters to take up arms against perceived enemies, the party has not left any one in doubt that all it wants by all means is to blackmail the Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, and all those perceived not to be supporting APC out of office, including causing security breaches in the state.
“The latest statement by the APC Chairman, Chief Davies Ikanya, signed by one Chris Fynebone, while reacting to the killing of five policemen attached to 30 PMF (Police Mobile Force), Yenagoa, on Monday, May 9, 2016, along the Okogbe – Yenagoa Road, to us, is one of such moves”,the PDP said.
Obuah argued that the APC leaders in the state and the party do not have better way than the PDP in tackling insecurity, violence and criminality in the state, recalling that before former Governor Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi left office, the state was in shambles, with people being kidnapped, and communal crises on the rise.
“However,  it is not our intention to point accusing fingers at any one or group at the moment when investigations in the incident and related ones are still ongoing, but we are forced to be worried about certain statements and declarations by APC leaders in recent times, which pose more threat to the peace and security of our state and the nation at large” the party said.
“The PDP has continued to draw the attention of the police and other security agencies to some unpatriotic and ill-conceived actions by the last APC government under Amaechi, particularly the release of hardened criminals and political thugs, who were being held for various criminal charges in prison, as well as the recent directive by Magnus Abe after the March 19, 2016 re-run elections in the state that his supporters should take up arms.
“We recall that on hearing this directive by Abe, we (the PDP) alerted the police on the understanding that this call was an invitation for the APC thugs to use arms and ammunition already procured and were in their possession, to cause insurrection and havoc in the state.
“It is not in doubt that the APC leadership under Davies Ikanya has consistently preferred violence to peace and order in their political activities in the state”, the PDP said.
“Meanwhile, the PDP has commiserated with the Inspector General of Police and the entire Nigerian Police Force over this latest ambush resulting in loss of lives of these gallant and committed men of the Force.
“We are much worried considering the trend of events in the country today, and the enormous challenges it poses to the security forces. We are not unaware of the relentless and huge sacrifices men of the Nigerian Police Force continue to demonstrate, even in the face of heinous calamities like this that they experienced in course of carrying out their professional duty, particularly in confronting crimes and violence in the society. These sacrifices are quite commendable”, the party stated.
The PDP also expressed sympathy to the families of the deceased, and called on the police authorities not to be deterred by the incident but to ensure that the perpetrators were brought to justice.
The party pledged to continue to cooperate with and support the law enforcement agencies in efforts to rid the state of criminals and to maintain peace and security in communities.

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

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A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper,  7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin.  This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education.   We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic,  “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
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Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council  trains tra 1,000 teachers

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The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
 Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
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RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

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The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.

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