Education

15 Students Win Ben-Kalio Essay Competition

Published

13 years ago

December 3, 2012

The eighth edition of the Ben-Kalio annual essay competition has ended in Port Harcourt with 15 students emerging winners.

A release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt last week and signed by the Acting President of Greenleaf Foundation, organizers of the competition, Mr. Masnasseh Jaja, indicates that over 50 students from 20 secondary schools participated in this year’s competition. The winners were also selected after a thorough screening by a committee of academic experts.

The release further stated that the 15 winners recorded the highest scores. It disclosed that brilliance and intelligent quotient of the students were tested and assessed through the essays.

Group Capt (rtd) Ben-Kalio essay competition is organised yearly to assist indigent students of Wakirike ethnic nationality, made up of Okrika and Ogu/Bolo local government areas as well as other ethnic groups in Rivers State, who have the zeal for education to enable them realize their life ambition.

A cash prize of N15,000 naira is paid to each of the winners to enable them continue their academic pursuit in institutions of their choice.

The release listed the winners of the competition as follows: Tobias O. Precious of The Kings College, Okochiri, Ismail Tamuno Diepriye, Comprehensive Secondary School, Ibaka, Berewariso Truth Tamunotonye, Ebenezer Bethel, Ekundayo J. Olusegun, Collins Chinedu David, all of Immaculate International Secondary School, Abuloma.

Others are: Wobianme Kurotamunobaraomie, Okrika National Secondary School, Okrika, Ogody Collins, Comprehensive Secondary School, Abuloma, Tam Gab Gabson, Kings College, Okochiri, Augustine Chidiebere, State Secondary School, Amadi-Ama, Lucky Technical College, Ele-Ogu, Godspower Abaku, Okrika National Secondary School, Okrika, Karibi George Kaine, Obiye Academy, Abuloma and Favour N. Okwuzie, The Kings College, Okochiri.

In a chat with our reporter later, Mr. Jaja further explained that the competition was also aimed at improving the academic standards of senior secondary schools, particularly in Okrika and Ogu/Bolo.

The sponsor of the competition, Group Captain Ben-Kalio, was once the Military Administrator of Yobe State.

Desmond Osueke

Education

Association harps on importance of mother tongue in society

Published

17 hours ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The President of Rivers State Indigenous Language Teachers Association and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) ,Rivers Language Centre, Port Harcourt.Dr Ovuchi J. Agwnu has described

Language as life that promote culture and identity of the people.

Ovuchi made in a press statement to commemorate the mother tongue day in port Harcourt over the weekend.

The statement call on parents to think about the future in a world where their kids would not sustain the language as handed over to them from antiquity.

” The Government should shift focus on the Youths as the hope of the Linguistic future. Every school should have an employed indigenous language teacher who will handle the mother tongue inculcation of the language of the immediate environment of each school.”

“Irrespective of the recent views on language teachings, we remain committed to sustaining our diversity as a people via language promotion.”

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

UNIPORT Hails Odusote’s Historic Appointment as First Female Director-General of Nigerian Law School

Published

17 hours ago

February 23, 2026

The Tide

The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has expressed profound pride over the appointment of Olugbemisola Titilayo Odusote as the Director-General of the Nigerian Law School, describing the milestone as historic and richly deserved.

In a congratulatory message issued on behalf of the University’s management, staff, students, and stakeholders, the Vice-Chancellor, Owunari Abraham Georgewill, hailed the appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as a landmark achievement for legal education and women’s leadership in Nigeria.

The University noted that Dr. Odusote’s emergence as the first female Director-General of the Nigerian Law School in over six decades reflects the confidence reposed in her exceptional leadership capacity, professional depth, and administrative acumen.

UNIPORT further commended her outstanding tenure as Deputy Director-General and Head of the Lagos Campus of the Nigerian Law School, where she was credited with visionary leadership, institutional strengthening, and strategic advancement of legal training.

According to the University, her proven record of excellence, integrity, and commitment to institutional development unmistakably positioned her for the nation’s highest legal education office.

Describing the appointment as a source of pride and inspiration, UNIPORT expressed confidence that Dr. Odusote’s leadership would usher in a new era of growth, innovation, and consolidation in legal education in Nigeria.

The University concluded by wishing her a successful tenure and assuring her of its goodwill, solidarity, and unwavering support as she assumes leadership of Nigeria’s foremost legal training institution.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

K-SAFE Calls for Increased Education Funding, Transparency in Kano

Published

1 week ago

February 16, 2026

The Tide

The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) has called for sustained funding releases, improved transparency, and stronger focus on learning outcomes to consolidate recent gains in the education sector in Kano State.

The appeal was made by Dr. Auwalu Halilu, Co-Chair representing civil society organisations, during a goodwill message at the 2026 Education Sector Joint Steering Committee Meeting held in the state.

Addressing the Commissioner for Education, committee members, development partners, and other stakeholders, Dr. Halilu expressed appreciation for the opportunity given to civil society groups to participate in the high-level policy dialogue.

He commended the Kano State Government and relevant agencies for progress made in expanding access to education, strengthening teacher recruitment, and advancing non-formal and second-chance education programmes.

Dr. Halilu, however, stressed the importance of ensuring consistent release of funds to support ongoing reforms and programmes aimed at improving education delivery. He also urged authorities to enhance transparency in the implementation of education initiatives and place greater emphasis on measurable learning outcomes.

He further highlighted the need to promote safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environments, particularly for vulnerable children, to ensure equitable access to quality education.

Isa Kaita College

According to him, sustained collaboration between government, civil society organisations, and development partners remains essential to strengthening education systems and improving outcomes for learners.

Dr. Halilu reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to constructive engagement and accountability, noting that civil society organisations are ready to work closely with stakeholders to support continuous improvement in education delivery in the state and across Nigeria.

He said the forum remains dedicated to promoting transparency, accountability, and inclusive education policies that will benefit all children.