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Rivers Reiterates Plan To Electrify State

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14 years ago

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Rivers State Commissioner for Power, Hon. Augustine Nwokocha has re-iterated government’s resolve to electrify all the nooks and crannies of the state before the end of the present administration.

The commissioner, who gave this indication at a recent press briefing in his office, explained that the improved power situation in the state is due to the re-conducting of the Afam to Port Harcourt double circuit transmission lines.

Hon. Nwokocha disclosed that government was partnering with the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN), and Port Harcourt Distribution Company (PHEDC), to ensure power generated is distributed evenly.

He noted that government had embarked on a major update scheme of building injection sub stations across the state, adding that government is about to mobilise contractors for the rural electrification project to go to site.

The commissioner said work on the rural electrification scheme would be carried out by linking those communities already electrified to the others not yet provided with light, pointing that transformers are being installed across the state according to the needs of the people.

Hon. Nwokocha advised the people to safeguard government’s electrical equipment such as cables, poles, street light fittings, and transformers stressing that the authorities should be alerted once they see people vandalising such property.

In another development Rivers State Government has issued drafts of award letter to contractors whose bids were successful for the construction of the 33/11KV injection sub-station and rows for transmission lines in the state.

The commissioner for power, Hon. Augustine Nwokocha gave the hint in his office at a meeting with contractors, marketers, a representative of the Economic Advisory Council on electricity and Engr. Ema Gbole Nwikina who presented Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

Hon. Nwokocha said, the meeting was to streamline modalities for the handling of the projects warning that government would not tolerate the use of sub-standard equipment as it is poised to conduct crush test for poles, size of conductors as well as ensuring standards were verified.

He stressed that project abandonment would not be condoned, but would allow sub contracting after all the conditions of the bureau of public procurements have been met.

The commissioner advised the contractors to seek legal opinion on the drafts and make their contributions, get their bankers to give them Advance Payment Guarantee (APG) and thereafter sign the agreement with an acceptance letter.

Hon. Nwokocha charged the contractors to ensure the projects were delivered within three months after mobilisation had been paid, adding that no further payments would be made when the job has not been certified.

Speaking on behalf of the contractors, Mr. Mathew Edevbie of Income Electric Ltd assured the government of their determination to execute the projects in record time and according to set standards.

Others expected to handle the projects are Schneider Electric of France, Danalec Nigeria Ltd, Labec Engineering Ltd, Continental Engineering Ltd, Sam Ltd, Sigma Technical Ltd and Gips Engineering Ltd.

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198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

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7 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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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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7 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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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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7 days ago

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November 24, 2025

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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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