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RSG Posts 13,000 Teachers Soon …Partners UNITAR On Floods
The Rivers State Government would soon deploy the newly recruited 13,201 teachers to various schools across the state for the commencement of their teaching careers.
Indication to this emerged on Monday during the induction of the teachers, 50 of whom are physically challenged.
Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, while declaring open the programme, said that the recruitment would guarantee that every public school enjoyed the services of good teachers.
Dame Lawrence-Nemi described the programme with the theme: “Teachers of Distinction”, as part of government efforts in building a culture of excellence in education, saying that the training would improve talent and create good relationship among stakeholders.
She urged the teachers to take advantage of the opportunity to further improve their competence and skill and directed those yet to get their appointment letters to see the Board chairman.
Chairman of BRACED, professor Jose Aisuku who described the programme as a land mark achievement said that with the progress made, the state will soon see quality education in all ramifications, worthy of emulation by other states.
Chairman of the Rivers State Advisory Council and former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs likened Governor Amaechi to the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who laid the foundation for education revolution in Western Nigeria.
Prof Briggs also said that the innovation will transform education in the state, stressing that the programme will go a long way in character moulding in schools and also help improve educational opportunities for the subsequent generation of Rivers children.
Also speaking, the chairman, Rivers State House of Assembly Committee on Education, Hon Augustine Ngo said that the Rivers State House of Assembly will support every effort by the government to improve the quality of education in the state.
A cross section of the new teachers who spoke to The Tide described the ceremony as a welcome development, noting that it will put them in the right perspective to perform their task better.
The ceremony, which would last for four weeks is taking place at Model Girls Secondary School, Rumuene, Government Girls Secondary School, Rumuokwuta and Government Girls Secondary School Oromenike.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Government has entered into a partnership with the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) to tackle the challenges for flood disaster in the state.
The Rivers State Governor, Rt Hon Chibuike Amaechi who disclosed this in Port Harcourt, said the partnership will help in addressing issues of perennial flooding and cushion the devastating effects through adroit mitigating measures and training of personnel on flood disaster management.
The governor, who declared open a 10-day special training programme on flood risk management orgainsed by the ministry of Special Duties and UNITAR in Port Harcourt, yesterday, enjoined the participants to take seriously the lesson learnt from the training to improve their expertise in flood management.
The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Energy, Chief Okey Amadi, attributed most causes of flood to improper disposal of wastes as well as building along water channels and cautioned against such practices.
Speaking at the training event held under the theme: ‘capacity building in flood management in Rivers State, Commissioner for Special Duties, Barrister Dickson Umunakwe, explained that the training was aimed at stepping up measures to avert a recurrence of the devastating flood recorded in the state.
The commissioner said participants at the training were drawn from line ministries including, environment, health, power and other relevant agencies and stakeholders, who are expected to bring their experiences to bear in handling issues of flooding in the disaster prone LGAs.
According to the commissioner, the training will afford participants the opportunity to explore better ways of doing things and be exposed to more discernible experiences and methodologies in flood disaster management.
On his part, resident representative of UNITAR in Nigeria, Dr Larry Boms said the training was a milestone in the UNITAR/ Rivers State Government partnership on flooding, and expressed confidence that the programme will empower the participants with the requisite skills to be more effective in addressing today’s growing development challenges in flooding.
He pointed out that Rivers State, by its location in the Niger Delta region, remains one of the most susceptible to flooding in Nigeria.
Some of the participants, who spoke with The Tide, thanked the Ministry of Special Duties for the programme, and assured that the experience will be put into practices in the state.
News
We’ll Drive Tinubu’s Vision in Rivers With Vigour – Fubara …Inaugurates Dualized Ahoada/Omoku Road ….Debunks Rift With RSHA
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that he will lead Rivers people to galvanize support for President Bola Tinubu to drive the vision and objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda in the State with vigour.
The governor, who joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), on Tuesday, explained that his decision to join the APC was not for personal interest but for the overall benefit of Rivers State.
Fubara disclosed these while inaugurating the extension of the dualized Ahoada/ Omoku Express road in Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas of Rivers State.
He commended the contracting firm, Julius Berger, for timely delivery of the project, saying the project is a campaign promise fulfilled which will bring economic benefits to the people and tackle issues of insecurity associated with the route.
He said his administration has remained focused in delivering democratic dividends in the state despite facing glaring challenges.
The governor thanked the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas for their continuous support, and urged his supporters to remain steadfast and also support President Tinubu who he said, has demonstrated love to Rivers State as a father.
Fubara denied having rift with the Rivers State House of Assembly, stating that his meeting with the lawmakers was stalled as a result of delay in the agreed meeting to be convened by former Governor Nyesom Wike and other stakeholders for him to meet with the state lawmakers.
“I have made every effort to meet with the Assembly members, but it is not within my leadership to initiate the meeting process.
“The arrangement was for my leader, Wike, and the elders led by Anabraba to call for a meeting with the the lawmakers.
“I’m a gentleman and principled. I can’t go behind to call them when we’ve already agreed. Whoever that tell them that I don’t want to meet with them, or I rejected proposal meant for them isn’t saying the truth,” Fubara said.
The Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry Works, Mr Austin Ezekiel-Hart, who gave the project description, said the delivery of the project was a fulfillment of long time dream by the people of Ahoada East and Ogba Egbema Ndoni Local Government Areas.
He said the road was previously a single lane and has now been dualised to 14.6 meters wide, complete with solar-powered streetlights with drainages.
He said the road significantly would reduce travel time between Ahoada and Omoku while improving economic activity in the region.
In his welcome address, Chairman of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area, Hon. Chuku Shedrack Ogbogu, described the road as a symbol of unity, oneness, and development, thanking the governor for fulfilling his campaign promises.
On his part, the Managing Director of Julius Berger, Engr. Peer Lusbash, said the project was awarded to his company in 2023 with a completion period of 18 months which was achieved in best quality.
He added that Julius Berger enjoyed a good support from the Fubara administration, and assured to complete all ongoing projects being handled by Julius Berger on specification, especially the Ring Road project which is a legacy project.
Rivers State, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring good healthcare for the people of Rivers State.
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?Governor Fubara stated this when he played host to the Country Director of UNICEF, Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef and her management team in Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
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?The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, said he would continue to provide the necessary facilities in order to ensure accessible and good health care for all Rivers people.
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?”We are constructing new zonal hospitals across the State. The Ahoada Zonal hospital will be commissioned in December and others are near completion.
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?”We are grateful to UNICEF for all they have done and believe we can always work together to care for the vulnerable in the society. We appreciate your physical presence, and believe that your staff working remotely, can also do more virtually. We have a capable Commissioner of Health, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, to help foster our relationship, communication and greater collaboration,” he said.
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?The Country Director for UNICEF Nigeria, Ms. Wafaa Saeed Abdelatef, assured Governor Fubara of UNICEF’s support to the programmes of the State Government. She appealed that health facilities such as the Oxygen Plant at Eleme Local Government Ares and the New Born Care Units be solarized.
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?”Be assured that UNICEF will continue to work and support the programmes here in Rivers State. We have seen the Oxygen Plant at Eleme LGA which has been effective because of the Public Private Partnership. We appeal that the plant be solarized.
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?”I commend your leadership of the State and assure that we are here to support your effort and assure you that you can count on our support and partnership. Rivers State is one of the states we can showcase how things are working so others can learn,” she added.
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Chairman of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has announced a N100 billion annual education support programme aimed at keeping financially vulnerable Nigerian students in school.
Speaking at the launch of the national scholarship scheme in Lagos, yesterday, Dangote said too many brilliant young people were being forced out of classrooms because of poverty.
He described education as the “strongest engine of social mobility” and a critical foundation for national development.
The initiative, funded by the Aliko Dangote Foundation, will run for ten years beginning in 2026, costing over N1 trillion in total.
Dangote said the scheme would support 45,000 scholars each year at inception, expanding to 155,000 beneficiaries annually by its fourth year, and maintaining that level for the rest of the decade.
By 2036, he said, the programme is expected to have reached at least 1,325,000 students.
“We cannot allow financial hardship to silence the dreams of our young people, not when the future of our nation depends on their skills, resilience and leadership,” he added.
A major component of the fund is the Aliko Dangote STEM Scholars programme, which will provide annual scholarships for 30,000 undergraduate students pursuing science, technology, engineering and mathematics in public universities and polytechnics.
Each beneficiary will receive tuition support aligned with the fees of their institution and course of study. Dangote said the goal is to expand access to higher education, empower innovation, and give young Nigerians the tools to compete globally.
“STEM drives development. If Nigeria must compete globally, our young minds must have the tools to learn, imagine and innovate,” he said.
