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Niger Delta

Association Harps On Special Education

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The Nigeria Association of Special Education Teachers (NASET),  has appealed to state governments that are yet to fully implement the Special Education scheme and the Federal Government approved 30 per cent  Special Teachers’ Allowances to do so since the greater needs of children with disabilities depend on the teachers.

This is just as it has been disclosed that pupils and students of Delta state origin attending special schools in Ekiti state and other states have been sent parking by the school authorities as they were told to withdraw and return to their state.

It has been disclosed that Ekiti State School for the Deaf and Dumb took the decision following the wastage of its resources on children with special needs from other states that have refused to provide basic teaching aids, good learning environment and schools for the children.

Our source revealed that over 30 children attending special schools in Ekiti were affected by the action.

Meanwhile, Delta state government is yet to fully implement the scheme as the special schools across the state and located in Asaba, Warri, Ughelli and Agbor are either moribund with falling rooftops, waterlogged or inaccessible while the classrooms are usually overcrowded due to lack of classroom blocks.

Attempts to reach the state commissioner for Basic Education, Professor Patrick Muoboghare, to comment on the ugly development proved abortive but a source in his office said “that aspect of this special education has not received any serious attention from this ministry.”

National President of the NASET, Dr. Joseph Okuoyibo, ahead of its Annual Conference in Asaba, tagged “Special Education Service Delivery In Nigeria”, said that about five states, including Delta state are yet to fully implement the special education scheme and key into payment of the emoluments to teachers even as other states have since implemented it.

He added that the 30 per cent remuneration increase which took effect from 2008, when it was increased from the earlier 15 per cent to 30 per cent

Also, the Delta state chapter chairman of NASET, Dr. Mrs Onwubolu lamented that there is presently no functional public schools for children with disabilities in Delta state, saying that the few facelifts in some of the schools were done by private organisations.

She however blamed education supervisors for the inept attitude of the state government and the education ministry towards the development of education in the state. “The education supervisors are not telling the government the true situation of things in the state. Go and find out for yourself and you could weep at what you will see.”

disclosed that the state government has only implemented the 15 per cent special pay package to few teachers in secondary schools in October, 2010 but has vehemently refused to pay the primary school teachers who are more in number, despite the new increment of 30 per cent.

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Niger Delta

INC Polls: Ogoriba Pledges To Continuously Stand For N’Delta Rights … Picks Presidential Form

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Human Rights Activist and founding father of the Movement for the Survival of the Ijaw Ethnic Nationality of the Niger Delta (MOSIEND), Elder Timi Kaiser Ogoriba, has said he would continue to advocate for the environmental and human rights of the people of the Niger Delta, especially his Ijaw kinsmen.
Ogoriba who doubles as the current Vice-Chairman of the Bayelsa State founding fathers forum made the pledge at the Ijaw House, headquarters of the Ijaw National Congress (INC), in Yenagoa, capital of the State, while fielding questions from newsmen shortly after picking his interest form for the position of president in the 2026 polls of the national executive council of the body.
The Odi-born activist who described the foremost Pan-Ijaw umbrella parent body as the envy of many sister ethnic groups in the nation, noted that he played pivotal roles in the formative stages of both the INC and its youth body, the  Ijaw Youth Council (IYC).
He expressed confidence in the activities of the body, saying he would continue to work with all relevant stakeholders to reposition the Pan-Ijaw group for greater achievements when elected as President come February, 2026.
“I’m still ready to go to trenches because of Ijaw nation. For those who knew me before now, you’ll recall that I have gone to trenches several times because of my love for the Ijaw people.
“Today as an ethnic group, we’re the envy of every other tribe. And that’s because we’ve all it takes for others to envy us. Today the INC has become the pride of everyone, including many who don’t know how we started it. And I’m not detered by the propaganda against my candidacy. I’m determined to win and continue my service to the Ijaw nation.
“I was part of the struggle in 1991 when the INC was formed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. I’ve all it takes to lead the INC as President. But the INC under my leadership will not be a ‘T. K. Ogoriba thing alone’. I’ll need all of you and every Son and daughter of Ijaw nation to lead us well when elected”, he said.
The Presidential hopeful, who also bared his mind on issues of Resource control and true-federalism, restated his commitment towards ensuring that the Niger Delta region was given fair treatment by Government.
He stressed the need for the INC to synergize with other ethnic nationalities of the Niger Delta region for positive results, saying he would also ensure that there is mutual respect and understanding amongst and between stakeholders of the Ijaw nation and other sister ethnic groups to fast track the processes of growth and development of the region.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
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Niger Delta

Edo Partners Stakeholders For Better Land, Housing Services

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The Edo State government has reaffirmed its commitment to strategic partnerships with key stakeholders to enhance effective service delivery in the lands and housing sector across the state.
Commissioner for Ministry of Lands and Housing, Mr. Yakubu Musa, made this known on Thursday, when he met with members of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers in Benin.
Musa emphasised the importance of synergy and collaboration to drive sustainable development in the state.
He said, ‘’The ministry is taking steps to sanitise and regulate the real estate industry to make sure Edo citizens get maximum satisfaction from the lands and housing sector.’’
Earlier, the Chairman of the Association, Mr. Roger Isiokhere, said the visit was to formally acquaint the commissioner with the institution’s activities.
Isiokhere expressed the institution’s readiness to work closely with the ministry in achieving its mandate, offering professional advisory services and other forms of support.
The Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr. Joy Akhigbe, also stressed the importance of collaboration.
In attendance at the meeting were the Surveyor-General of the State, Directors, and other management staff of the Ministry of Lands and Housing.
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Niger Delta

Otu Reiterates Commitment To Support Military Veterans, Families 

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Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu,  has reiterated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of military veterans and their families.
Otu, who spoke at the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day celebration in Calabar on Thursday, said his administration would not forget the contributions of fallen heroes.
Represented by his Deputy, Dr. Peter Odey, the Governor described the armed forces remembrance day as a reminder of the sacrifices made by military veterans to keep Nigeria united and peaceful.
“The lesson is to remember our fallen heroes, people who sacrificed for the country, many of them paid with their lives to protect this nation”, he said.
Otu further said widows of late military officers would continue to be part of his government’s programmes and interventions.
“All widows are being carried along, the Commissioner for Social Welfare ensures their inclusion in every programme”, he said.
Earlier, the Cross River State Chairman, Nigerian Legion, Daniel Ojugbo, said the ceremony was not only an honour for fallen heroes, but a time to reflect on the challenges being faced by military veterans and their families.
Ojugbo said families of fallen military officers faced delayed welfare benefits, limited medical care and unemployment for their widows and other dependants.
He commended Otu for his support, saying that his administration had shown genuine and remarkable concerns for the legion and its members.
Also speaking, the Coordinator, Military Widows in the state, Mrs. Miriam Orok, thanked the Governor for improved treatment and inclusion in welfare interventions.
“We are actually seeing better changes under our Governor. He has been carrying us along, and we are very grateful. We also thank the governor’s wife for her sense of compassion”, she said.
The Tide’s source reports that the event featured prayers, wreath-laying, and tributes to the fallen heroes.
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