Niger Delta
Oshiomhole Sacks 20 Teachers
Governor Adams Oshiomhole of Edo State has on Tuesday
ordered the dismissal of 20 teachers from some schools in the state for
absenteeism, a statement said.
The governor gave the order when he paid unscheduled visits
to the schools in Benin, the statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr
Peter Okhiria, stated.
The governor had visited Asoro Primary School, Emokpae Model
Primary School, Western Boys High School and George Idah Model School as well
as Esonere Primary School, all in Benin City.
Seven Senior Secondary School teachers were absent at
Western Boys High School when the governor visited while five Junior Secondary
School teachers of the same school were not at their duty posts.
At Asoro Primary School, seven teachers were absent from
work, while one teacher was absent from work at Emokpae Model Primary School.
But all the teachers at George Idah Model Primary School and
Esonere Model Primary School were at their duty posts and arrived in school on
time as reflected in the attendance register, the statement stated.
It said the governor also ordered deductions from the
salaries of some teachers, who got to their schools after 8a.m.
The statement said the governor frowned at the lackadaisical
attitude of some teachers to work.
The governor said “the state government has provided
suitable environment in the schools, the teachers are paid good wages and
inducement allowances.
“These beautiful classrooms are useless if teachers don’t
teach the students.”
The governor, who was also at the Asoro Primary School by
7.45a.m., went through the attendance register and discovered that names of
teachers who were not present in school were registered.
He then directed that adequate punishment be meted out to
those who filled in the names of the absent teachers.
Oshiomhole said, “anytime a teacher does not show up in
school, the students will be wasting their time.
“The headmistress will also be queried because she has the
responsibility to explain to me why people are allowed to sign fraudulently on
the register when they are not present.”
Oshiomhole also queried the long stay of some teachers in a
particular school before being posted out to other schools.
He then directed the State Universal Basic Education
Board(SUBEB) to ensure fairness and transparency in the transfer of teachers.
At Western Boys High School, the governor condemned the
dress code of some teachers and stressed that “teachers should be role models in
their dressing by being properly-dressed.
“I am not happy with some teachers who are not punctual and
are in the habit of not coming to work. The government will take disciplinary
action against them.”
The governor said the state had responsibility to protect
the future of children with quality education and improvement of the school
environment, and urged teachers to complement the effort.
“”Those teachers who are absent from school will be
dismissed because we cannot continue to pay them.
“ We will employ those who are ready to work to earn their
wages, while those who are late will forfeit part of their pay,” he said.
At Emokpae Model Primary School, George Idah Model Primary
School and Esonere Primary School, the governor commended the teachers for their
punctuality.
The Chairman of SUBEB, Mr Joseph Emabino, and other members
of the board were in the governor’s entourage during the inspection.
The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages
The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.