The Rivers State Government says recruitment of the 13,000 teachers issued with appointment letters on Wednesday by Governor Chibuike Amaechi is a confirmation of its intention to make the education sector achieve the desired goal.

Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Nemi stated this Wednesday while declaring open the 5th Quadrennial Delegate Conference of the Rivers State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Port Harcourt.

Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Ofuru, the education commissioner said the effort of the government in educational development  state had resulted in the recruitment of the teachers, which she described as first of its kind.

The commissioner who applauded Governor Amaechi’s vision for the education sector charged teachers in the state to rise above board by formulating policies that would impact on children as future leaders.

She enjoined teachers and the well-meaning people of the state to move round and see what the present government had done while urging the continued support of the governor.

In his speech, National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Michael Olukoya represented by Mrs Olajumoke Oyebami commended the government and people of Rivers State for the developmental strides in place, especially in the area of education.

The NUT national president also appreciated the governor for being one of the foremost governors to implement the Teachers Salary Scale of 27.5 per cent and the 18 percent national minimum wage as well as the recruitment of 13,000 teachers. He appealed for immediate deployment of the new teachers to facilitate the process of teaching and learning in the state.

The chairman of Rivers State Universal Education Board, Sir Ali Oruitemeka urged serving teachers to embrace the 13,000 newly recruited teachers to make them perform effectively.

Oruitemeka  who was represented by Mr Ibiwari Ekine stressed the need for teachers in the state to assist the government in ensuring the success of its educational development objectives.

The state chairman of the NUT, Comrade Godfrey Nwogu thanked the governor for the regular payment of teachers salaries and allowances as well as promotion arrears and pledged the teachers  unalloyed support to the Governor Amaechi led administration.