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Bishop Harps On Catholic Education Values
The First Port Harcourt Diocesan Catholic Education Summit has ended with a call on the participants to go home and propagate the values that made Catholic Education the envy of other educational institutions.
The Bishop of the Diocese, Most Reverend Camillus Etokudoh, told the participants that they have been sent out as ambassadors of the church with the task of moulding the leaders of tomorrow.
He explained that the Catholic Education was not only about the establishment of schools, but in the system that makes it a community, whose values are communicated through interpersonal and sincere relationship of its members and through both individual and corporative adherence to the outlook on life that permeates the school.
The Bishop however, pointed out that the absence of grant in-aid to the missions whose schools were returned by the government was a major weakness since there were urgent needs to rebuild such schools and pay the teachers.
He commended his predecessor, Bishop Alexious Makozi for initiating the summit and the Diocesan Education Board for their dedication and hoped that the outcome would go a long way in improving Catholic Education in the Diocese.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Board, Very Reverend Monsignor Charles Agu, thanked the Bishops, speakers and participants assuring that close supervision of schools, workshops and seminars, training and retraining of teachers would be held to improve the standard of teaching in all Catholic Schools.
Meanwhile, operators of mission and private schools have been told to adhere strictly to the Federal Government policy thrust on the Universal Basic Education, UBE.
A clergyman and former Chairman of the State UBE Board, Monsignor Pius Kii gave the advice while delivering a paper at the First Diocesan Education Summit of the Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt which ended in the state capital today.
Monsignor Kii who spoke on the topic, “the UBE Policy and Secondary School Education in Relation to the Catholic Policy on Education” said for the vision and mission of the UBE policy to be realised, the government at all levels should provide financial assistance for children who opt for both mission and private schools. While noting that the Catholic Policy on Education also aligns itself to the structural levels of education in the National Policy on Education, Doctor Kii who is also a lecturer with the Catholic Institute of West Africa , CIWA however urged the church to strengthen its existing pre-primary schools and turn them into early child education as well as separate Junior Secondary Schools from Senior Secondary Schools in order to ensure full compliance.
Monsignor Kii stressed the need for the church to strengthen the roles of the Parish School Management Committees. to work like School Based Management Committees.
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene