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FG Plans National Teachers Summit

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The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr Mac-John Nwaobiala,  last Saturday said the Federal Government was planning to organise a high level national summit for teachers.
Nwaobiala disclosed this at the 44th annual inter-house sports competition of the Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba.
According to him, the essence of the summit is to seek ways of improving on the quality of the teachers, especially those of the 104 unity colleges in the country.
He said that the summit would be driven to the highest level as it was expecting President Goodluck Jonathan to be in attendance.
The permanent secretary said the current administration was passionate about the future of the Nigerian child, adding that one major way of securing it was through qualitative education.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education was currently paying attention to the recruitment of teachers for core subjects such as Mathematics, Science and Technical.
“Recently, we carried out employment on core subject teachers such as Mathematics, Science and Technical.
“We might not have enough as required by the individual colleges but we will strive to ensure that we provide these schools with teachers of these core subjects.
“As this would provide the platform for technological advancement and national development,’’ he said.
Nwaobiala also reiterated government’s commitment to encourage the development of sports in schools across the country.
He stressed that sporting activities go beyond competing and winning laurels.
According to him, when one gets involved in activities such as jogging, aerobics and walking, one improves the functions of the heart and lungs by giving them strength.
“Hence, it can be deduced that sporting activities is capable of giving us a sound mind in a physically strong body.
“Sports is important because it helps to inculcate values such as endurance, tolerance, sportsmanship and leadership skills among others” the permanent secretary said.
Nwaobiala stressed that through sports, youngsters were given opportunity to showcase their talents and are encouraged to excel and groomed to national limelight.
He said events such as the inter-house sports competition was usually an annual event, which, like education is used to promote national integration, unity and excellence.
“We want to see how we can encourage our young people to get to their peak in sports because we are usually not happy when Nigeria is identified as age cheats during major international sports tournament.
“We want to create an environment where budding talents would be brought up to national level and eventually bring glory to the country,” he said.
The permanent secretary said the ministry was currently working on some policies to see how some of the country’s unity colleges would, apart from academics, be made centres of excellence in sports.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Principal of the college, Rev. Chris Ugorji, stressed the importance of discipline in schools, saying that for academic excellence to be attained, discipline must be enforced.
Ugorji said the college authorities had put in place measures to check the high level of indiscipline that had, before now, constituted a major challenge in the institution.
The principal urged parents to cooperate with the college in the area of value inculcation in their children and wards to ensure that they become better future leaders.
Our correspondent reports that the highlights of the competition were the colourful march-past, various track and field events by students from invited schools.

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NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam

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The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.

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Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence

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The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.

The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.

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Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027

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A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.

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