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Jonathan Cautions On Scholarship Awards

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President Goodluck Jonathan has urged government
functionaries and other influential personalities not to interfere with the
process of selecting future beneficiaries of the Bayelsa Restoration
Scholarship Scheme.

Speaking at an interactive forum with 100 graduands who
benefited from the scheme and their parents at the Banquet Hall in Government
House, Yenagoa, President Jonathan noted that non-interference in the selection
process would help to ensure that only deserving students irrespective of their
backgrounds get enlisted in the programme.

According to the President, the scheme which he started in
2006 as the then Governor of Bayelsa State, was designed to send brilliant but
less privileged students to some of the prestigious schools with a view to
providing them with the best secondary education available in the country.

President Jonathan further stated that the programme was
also intended to develop the human capacity base of Bayelsa students in order
to make them more competitive and dynamic in their search for top quality jobs
in the oil and gas industry as well as other sectors of the economy.

Dr. Jonathan who said he visited some of the schools where
the students were placed shortly before his elevation as Vice-President,
advised Governor Dickson to shop for the best schools to enable beneficiaries
of the scheme compete favourably with their peers.

The President observed that every child has the opportunity
to excel and therefore should be encouraged to harness his or her God-given
potentials.

Pointing out that the programme suffered setbacks in the
hands of the previous administration in the state, Dr. Jonathan expressed
appreciation to Governor Seriake Dickson for reviving the scheme, adding that
the state will benefit maximally from it in the future.

He also acknowledged the vision and contributions of former
Governor Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and a business consultant, Sullivan Akachukwu,
for providing the platform for the effective take-off of the programme.

To promote research and knowledge in the country’s
universities, Dr. Jonathan said his administration will continue to encourage
lecturers to study and acquire PhD in their various fields of study.

Earlier in his remarks, the Bayelsa State Commissioner for
Education, Chief Salo Adikumo stated that the Dickson-led government is
determined to revamp the education system in the state.

Chief Adikumo said the present administration has since
keyed into the vision Dr. Jonathan had for the state, noting that another batch
of 200 students will soon be dispatched to schools in Bayelsa and Rivers
States.

The commissioner noted that the process for the placement of
those students, which includes an orientation programme had been planned adding
that the process will be inclusive as the 200 will meet with the earlier 100,
who had completed their programmes to exchange ideas and thanked president for
instituting the programme.

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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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