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FG To Establish New Universities

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President Goodluck Jonathan said last Saturday that more universities would be established in more states as a far-reaching measure to bring tertiary education closer to the people.

The President said this in Abakaliki at a grand reception in honour of nine Federal Government appointees from Ebonyi State.

Jonathan was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Defence, Dr Haliru Mohammed Bello.

The honourees include Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Prof.Onyebuchi Chukwu, Minister of Health, Justice Uche Onyemenam and Mr Elias Mbam, Chairman, Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation, and Fiscal Commission.

Others are Chief Okeagu Ogada, Member Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission, Chief Lawrence Nwuruku, National Commissioner, INEC and Prof. Selina Oko, Resident Electoral Commissioner, Imo State.

He said that the Federal Executive Council took the bold decision to create more new federal universities to register more federal presence in younger States.

“The siting of the new Federal University in Ebonyi is deliberate as a far-reaching measure to bring tertiary education closer to the people,” he said.

According to him, the take over of the Ebonyi Medical College and upgrading of the Fistula Centre to a national Fistula centre, is to ensure equitable distribution of the nation’s scarce resources and projects.

He said that the Federal Government was satisfied with the commitment and the quality of service provided by the honourees in the discharge of their assigned duties and responsibilities.

“It is instructive, however, to appreciate that the journey to the realisation of the transformation agenda is tortuous but surely at the end, we are optimistic of getting to the promised land sooner than expected,’’ he noted.

The President said that his administration was resolute in the pursuit of its plan for the country to develop critical infrastructure that would galvanise the economy and create employment.

He said that the Federal Government would expedite action to effect the payment of funds owed Ebonyi State on federal roads executed on its behalf.

Earlier, Governor  Martin Elechi of Ebonyi had drawn the attention of the President to the deplorable condition of federal roads throughout the length and breadth of the state.

“There is no good federal road throughout the length and breadth of Ebonyi. Those who travel from Enugu and Afikpo axis can attest to the pitiable situation of those roads.

“Therefore, all we can say is that what is good for the goose is also good for the gander.

“Incidentally, even where we have taken the necessary steps to assist the Federal Government to improve on the condition of federal roads in Ebonyi, the money has not been refunded.”

Responding on behalf other honourees .Chukwu, thanked the president for their appointment, and assured the people that they would not betray the trust and confidence reposed in them.

The ceremony was attended by eminent Nigerians including the former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, Deputy Speaker House of Representatives, Mr Emeka Ihedioha, Senator Ben Obi, the Special Adviser to the President on Inter Party Relations.

Others are Governor Peter Obi of Anambra, Liyel Imoke of Cross River State, Chief Ojo Maduekwe, former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abubakar Baraje, PDP Chairman, and Mr Mike Okiro, former Inspector-General of Police, among others.

Our correspondent reports that the three justices among the honourees were absent at the occasion.

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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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