News

Nwodo Reassures On Credible Polls

Published

15 years ago

January 12, 2011

National Chairman of the People Democratic Party (PDP) Dr. Okwesilieze Nwodo, has told the South African Government that Nigeria is committed to democracy as only the people’s will will prevail in the 2011 general elections.

Speaking in Abuja while welcoming South African Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoanie Mashabane who paid him a courtesy call in his Maitama home, Abuja, Nwodo said that the ruling party and government were committed to ensuring that the will of the people prevailed in the choice of political leaders during the 2011 general elections in the country.

According to him, Nigeria’s commitment to democracy was sacrosanct, notwithstanding the teething problems being faced, adding that the on-going electoral process within the party was a test for the party and the country in the democratic journey. He said Nigeria and South African had a lot in common as Africa’s leading countries and regional powers.

Earlier, the Minister, Nkoane Mashabanie told the National Chairman that she came to deliver a message from President Jacob Zuma to President Gookluck Jonathan and was directed to see the National Chairman of the ruling party.

She invited the National Chairman to the African National Congress (ANC) centenary celebration in January next year.

Mashabanie said that South Africa was disposed to solving Ivory Coast political logjam the African way using ECOWAS than use of force.

In another development, the FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed has said that President Goodluck Jonathan is committed to bringing a new face of leadership to Nigeria and he is desirous of following his footsteps.

Senator Mohammed who spoke while addressing aspirants to the lone FCT senatorial seat as well as its two seats in the House of Representatives in his conference Room, Area II, Garki I District, Abuja said no candidate was anointed to fly the People Democratic Party (PDP) flag during the forthcoming general elections.

Senator Mohammed remarked that PDP was a family and, therefore, all aspirants belonged to him as the leader and political head of FCT administration.

Senator Mohammed recalled that the previous Area Councils’ election conducted when he took over the mantle of leadership of FCT would remain a shining example for emulation.

The Minister stressed the Chairman of PDP in FCT, Alhaji Alhassan Gwagwa to make the process transparent by maintaining fairness, equity and justice to give all aspirants a sense of belonging.

While advising all aspirants to play politics without bitterness and shun violence and thuggery, stressed that the winners should be magnanimous in victory and carry the losers along.

The Minister described competition as hallmark of democracy, and enjoined the losers to collapse their interests, to make PDP the greatest political party in Africa.

Senator Mohammed reiterated that consensus candidate was undemocratic and that the primaries should be allowed to take their natural course in order to bring out the best.

The meeting was attended by the FCT Minister of State, Navy Captain Caleb Olubolade, the FCT Police Commissioner, the FCT Director of the State Security Services, Chairman of FCT PDP; Chairmen of PDP in all the six Area Councils of the FCT as well as all the aspirants.

News

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”.

News

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.