News
13,000 Teachers Jobs: RSG Shortlists 20,000 For Interview
No fewer than 40,000 applicants have finally been confirmed to have failed the aptitude test held to screen candidates seeking recruitment as teachers into the Rivers State public schools.
The 40,000 candidates were among about 60,000 indigenes from across the 23 local government areas of the state and others who had participated in the written recruitment examinations in centres located within Port Harcourt and its environs on 15 August, 2012.
Consequently, about 20,000 candidates have finally been shortlisted for oral interview, commencing next Monday at three designated centres in Port Harcourt.
The Tide gathered that the 20,000 applicants made the Ministry of Education’s next phase of the interview after scaling through the tough examination questions, and making not less than the 160 cut off point set by the ministry.
The names of the 20,000 successful candidates have already been displayed at various locations in the state capital, including the Rivers State Secretariat Complex, premises of the Post Primary Schools Board, Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board and secretariats of the 23 local government areas.
In addition, the 20,000 candidates have also been notified vide their emails and the internet portal through which they completed the registration process for the initial examinations on 15 August.
The Tide learnt that after the written and oral interview, the final list of 13,000 teachers recruited for the state public schools would be published.
A statement signed by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Richard Ofuru, advised candidates to check their names, interview dates and centres at the designated locations in the state, and avail themselves of the opportunity to participate in the oral interview.
The permanent secretary implored successful candidates to bring along with them two copies of their completed curriculum vitae, containing their names, dates of birth, gender, state of origin and local government area.
He also advised those shortlisted to appear for the interview with photocopies of academic qualifications, including first school leaving certificates, West African Examinations Council Certificates, National Examinations Council Certificates, university or polytechnic certificates, National Youth Service Corps discharge certificates, and two passport photographs as well as writing materials.
The interview, according to the statement, would be conducted in both oral and written format, beginning next Monday at the Civic Centre Complex, Moscow Road, Ministry of Justice Auditorium, State Secretariat Complex, and the state College of Arts and Science in Port Harcourt.
Noting that each candidate has been notified of the specific date, place and time of his or her interview, the permanent secretary stated that each set of candidates has been grouped into batches, and would be accredited to start the exams at exactly 8am and 1pm for the first and second batch, respectively.
It would be recalled that the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Richard Ofuru had earlier said that only those who score 160 points and above would be shortlisted and subjected to another round of written and oral interviews as part of the selection process.
However, it was discovered that some persons who scored 160 points and above, could not find their names on the list displayed at the three centres.
Consequently, Ofuru has directed those whose names are missing from the list to write down their names at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, and report back to the ministry at 7.30am on Monday for further directives.
Meanwhile, the display centres have been inundated with a sea of heads as hundreds of thousands of applicants for the 13,000 teachers’ jobs scrambled for hours in the last couple of days to spot their names on the list.
Most of the candidates, who spoke with The Tide at the State Secretariat Complex, complained that the names were so tiny that it was very difficult for them to easily identify their names, dates of the interviews and centres.
They also complained that the list was so disjointed that it was to know how many candidates were shortlisted in the first place.
In another development, the Rivers State Ministry of Education has postponed the Common Entrance Examinations into the Nne Kurubo Model Secondary School, Ebubu, Eleme initially slated for tomorrow.
According to a statement dated October 31, and signed by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Ofuru, the exams would now hold on November 10, 2012.
He explained that the change in date was necessitated by the need to allow Rivers people observe the monthly sanitation exercise, which comes up tomorrow.
While insisting that the venue and time for the exams remain the same, Ofuru advised those affected to take note of the new date, and ensure that they made themselves available for the exams, expressing regrets at the inconveniences the postponement may cause parents, guardians, and those expected to participate in the exams.
Eunice Kayode-Choko
Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) have foiled attempts by drug trafficking syndicates to smuggle illicit substances concealed in carton walls, winter jackets, and body cream containers through Murtala Muhammed International Airport and a Lagos-based courier firm.
The agency said two consignments bound for Italy were intercepted at the Lagos airport, leading to the arrest of suspects linked to the shipments.
In a statement released yesterday, the agency’s spokesman, Femi Babafemi, said one of the suspects, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was intercepted on Friday, March 20, 2026, while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight to Rome, Italy.
The statement partly read, “Two of the consignments heading to Italy were to be moved through the Lagos airport where two suspects linked to the shipments were promptly arrested.
“One of them, 37-year-old Friday Ehianuka, was going to Rome, Italy on Friday, March 20, 2026, when he was intercepted while attempting to board an Ethiopian Airlines flight with 2,698 pills of tramadol 225mg concealed in containers of skin-lightening body cream, all packed in the suspect’s luggage.
“In his statement, Ehianuka, who is a resident of Milan, confirmed that he was to be paid a negotiated fee in Euros if he had succeeded in trafficking the consignment to Italy.”
In another operation on Wednesday, March 18, Babafemi said NDLEA officers at the departure hall intercepted another passenger, Christian Agbonhese, attempting to board a Lufthansa flight to Milan.
A search of his luggage uncovered 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg, 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg, and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg concealed in two large winter jackets.
“No fewer than 23,150 pills of tramadol 225mg; 4,000 tablets of tapentadol 250mg; and 1,320 pills of tramadol 100mg, all concealed in two large winter jackets, bringing the total number of opioids recovered from him to 28,470 pills. The 38-year-old Agbonhese is also a resident of Milan,” the statement added.
In a separate operation at a courier firm in Lagos, Babafemi said NDLEA officers on Monday, March 16, intercepted two parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis weighing 1kg, hidden in a carton shipped from the United States.
“Also thwarted was an attempt to export 158 grams of methamphetamine concealed in the walls of a carton to New Zealand,” he said.
In Kano State, operatives arrested Abdulkadir Mamuda, 35, with 102.5kg of skunk at Dan-Tsalle, while another suspect, Uche Johnson Festus, 47, was nabbed at Naibawa Gabas with 95.5kg of the same substance.
Babafemi said the agency also recovered 21,737 bottles of codeine-based syrup during a raid at Otto, Ijora area of Lagos on Wednesday, March 18, adding that two suspects, Chidiebere Anigbogu and Paul Nwagbara, were arrested the same day on the Third Mainland Bridge while conveying 8,380 bottles of the syrup.
In Edo State, operatives recovered 97.5kg of skunk from the residence of Akeem Idde, 37, in Ojah, Akoko-Edo Local Government Area on March 16.
In the FCT, officers intercepted a commercial bus along the Gwagwalada Expressway on March 18, recovering 91,840 pills of tramadol hidden in body compartments of the vehicle. The driver, Aminu Ali, 27, was arrested.
In Oyo State, a suspect, Bankole Bari, was on Tuesday, March 17, arrested at Oke-Oyan, Ibarapa LGA, with 71.2kg of skunk, which he smuggled into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Oyan River.
In a similar development, “Not less than 586,000 pills of tramadol and Exol-5 were recovered by NDLEA operatives from Lawal Anas, 28, along Kaduna-Zaria Highway, Kaduna, on Tuesday, March 17, while 7,290 tablets of tramadol 225mg were seized from Musa Shuaibu, 22, at the same location on Friday, March 20,” Babafemi said.
In Taraba State, officers intercepted Aliyu Adamu, 26, along the Takum-Jalingo Highway with 77,660 capsules of tramadol, while in Adamawa State, six suspects were arrested in connection with the seizure of 82.8kg of tramadol in a truck in Yola.
The suspects include Ramatu Aliyu, Jungudo Abdullahi, Najid Abdullahi, Musa Mohammed, Usman Abdulrahim, and Musa Mohammed.
The agency said its commands across the country also intensified War Against Drug Abuse sensitisation campaigns in schools, worship centres, and communities during the week.
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa (retd.), commended officers of the MMIA, DOGI, Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, Edo, Oyo, FCT, Taraba, and Adamawa commands for the arrests and seizures, urging them to sustain the balanced approach to drug control efforts.
News
RSG Applauds FRSC, NDLEA For Enhancing Security In Rivers …As NDLEA Pushes For Drug Tests In Schools, NYSC Camps
The Rivers State Government has commended the dedication and collaboration of federal government agencies in sustaining security in the State.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the State Commander of the Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), CN Bature Dawa, in Port Harcourt, last week, the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Dagogo Wokoma, said Governor Siminalayi Fubara appreciates the strong synergy between the agencies in promoting his administration’s vision of peace, prosperity and progress in the State.
Wokoma urged residents to remain law-abiding, noting that respect for the law is essential for good governance and sustainable development in all parts of the state.
He stated that the governor has remained committed to initiatives that promote peace and social order, stressing that the administration will continue to support programmes of federal agencies aimed at strengthening security and public safety.
“Our governor is committed to peace, progress and prosperity in Rivers State. I therefore encourage all residents, especially young people who are often targeted by those involved in drug abuse, to stay away from drugs, crime and reckless driving,” he said.
In his remarks, the State NDLEA boss, Dawa, disclosed that the agency has arrested 39 suspects in the state from December 2025 to date, including 16 new cases currently under investigation.
He explained that the NDLEA, through its Drug Demand Reduction and Drug Supply Control Units, has intensified efforts to curb the spread of illicit drugs and ensure offenders are brought to justice.
Dawa also called on parents and guardians to closely monitor their children, while urging hotel owners and managers to remain vigilant and prevent their facilities from being used for drug-related activities.
He further advocated the introduction of drug integrity tests in schools and within the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme as part of measures to discourage drug abuse among young people.
In a related development, Dr Wokoma received the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), CC Inyang Umoh, during a courtesy visit, and urged residents to abide by road safety laws and drive in consideration of other road users.
In his remarks, the FRSC boss expressed appreciation to Governor Fubara for the continuous support to the Corps.
Muslims in Rivers State have commended Governor Siminialayi Fubara for his dedication and commitment to the development of the state.
They also lauded the governor for promoting peaceful co-existence among various religious groups in the state.
Vice President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs ,Alhaji Nasil Awhelegbe Uhor, gave the commendation last Friday during the Eid-el Fitri prayer to mark the end of Ramadan fasting period, at the Port Harcourt Central Mosque, Niger Street, Port Harcourt.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after the prayer, Alhaji Uhor said Governor Fubara has shown exemplary leadership in the affairs of the state.
Uhor who is the leader of the South South Muslim Ummah of Nigeria, called on Muslims to remain committed to the ideal of peace and fear of the Almighty Allah.
According to the Rivers State Islamic leader, the message is for Muslims to imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink into their lives and shape their ways of doing things.
He urged Muslims to imbibe the culture of love and respect for one another.
“My message is that all Muslims should imbibe and allow the lessons of Ramadan to sink with them,” he advised.
Uhor stressed the need for Muslims and all Nigerians to remain patriotic, while avoiding all forms of anti-social behaviours.
He also called on the political leaders to put the country first, stressing that there is no need for Nigerians to continue to wallow in abject poverty when the country is so rich with natural resources.
Also speaking, the Chief Imam of Rivers State, Alhaji Ibrahim S Yalo, urged Muslims to fear God, and speak the truth always.
According to him, time has come for Nigerians to cultivate the habit of peaceful coexistence, speak the truth and be each others keeper.
“Nigerians own a duty to ensure peace, live together in fear of God and speak the truth always,” he said.
By: John Bibor