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RVHA Summons LG Chairmen …Screens ONELGA Council Nominees

Published

16 years ago

January 7, 2010

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday directed its committee on local government affairs to summon the 23 local government council chairmen, the Heads of Personnel Management (HPM) and the Treasurers to appear before it to throw more light on the issue of non-payment of severance benefits and other remunerations to past political office holders in their various council areas.

The directive followed a motion aimed at directing the state Joint Account Allocation Committee to deduct at source all severance benefits, remunerations and salaries payable to all past political office holders of the 23 local government councils in the state, brought before it by Hon. Ikuinyi Owaji Ibani.

Hon Igbani explained that the committee had received various memos and appeals from past political office holders over the non-payment of their severance benefits by their local government councils, adding that the refusal of the council chairmen to pay the affected political office-holders gave rise to the motion.

The lawmaker averred that the House Committee on local government affairs had on several occasions directed the local government chairmen to pay all debts owed former political office holders adding that such directives yielded no positive results.

According to the House Committee Chairman on Local Government Affairs, the severance benefits of past political office holders is statutorily provided for in section 3 and 4 of the State Public and Political Office Holders Salaries, Allowances and Fringe Benefits Law, No. 4, 2002.

He prayed among other things that the House should direct the state Joint Account and Allocation Committee (JAAC) to deduct at source all gratuity and severance benefits accruable to all past political office-holders in the affected local government councils and pay directly to the affected officers after confirmation of the status of debts as they affect each local government council. The payments would take effect from December, 2009.

Taking the lead during the debate, Hon Chioma Golden (Etche II) described the motion as a new year package for the former local government political office holders and urged his colleagues to give the motion the desired support.

In their various contributions, Hon Ogiri Henry (Abual/Odual), Hope Ikiriko (AWELGA), Chidi Lloyd (Omohua), Brown Onari (AkULGA I), Nwile Befil Charles (Khana) and Hon Jaja Tamunosisi Gogo (Opobo/Nkoro) commended the mover of the motion for his zeal and effort to bring succour to the plights of the past political offer holders in the third tiers of the government.

The lawmakers regretted that despite several directives given to the council chairmen in the state to pay the severance allowances owed to the past political officer holders in their various local government, the chairmen have continued to flaunt the directives.

The lawmakers however, urged the committee to attach a comprehensive financial statement showing the level of indebtedness as it affect each local government council adding that such financial statement would assist the House take final position on the matter.

Ruling on the matter, the speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Tonye Harry urged the House Committee on Local Government Affairs to get an updated records owed to the past political officer holders across the 23 local government area in the state as well as to invite the council chairmen, treasurers and Heads of Personnel Management (HPM).

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

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

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

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

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

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.