Education

WAEC Centre Approval: Proprietress Applauds Wike …As School Honours Teachers, Students

Published

10 years ago

July 25, 2016

The Proprietress of Dia
mond Stars International School, Port Harcourt, Mrs. Helen Oboka, has commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nvesorn Wike for recently approving the school as a WAEC Centre for the 2016/2017 May/June Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Mrs. Oboka, who made the commendation during the school’s graduation and prize giving day ceremony at the school’s premises within the Rumuosi axis of the ‘East-West Road in Port Harcourt on Wednesday indicated that the WAEC Centre approval had opened a new vista for the school in its avowed commitment to academic excellence and high standards, adding that the gesture was a clarion call for the institution to grow from strength to strength.
According to her, by granting the approval to the school, Governor Wike has shown that he is not only interested in education in Rivers State but is also a’ lover of qualitative education, having previously served the country as Supervising Minister of Education.
Mrs. Oboka further contended that the quest for the school to secure the WAEC Centre approval had been long and tortuous, having lingered for several years, and thanked Governor Wike for according such rare privilege to private schools in the state.
While also commending the governor for the development strides so far recorded by his administration, particularly in the education sector, the Proprietress thanked parents and teachers of the school for their commitment and dedication, stressing that students of the school had used the graduation/prize giving day ceremony to showcase all that they had learnt and acquired in the school.
Also speaking, the Principal of the school, Mr. Ogbilikana Awaji – Imam Anderson said the school, which was founded in September, 2008 had grown in leaps and bounds, both in terms of infrastructure and population of teachers and students, as it can today boast of over 40 teachers and 250 pupils and students.
According to him, “the school is a choice destination for academic excellence and qualitative education, a citadel of learning where champions erupt”.
Based on this, he said, the Rivers State Ministry of Education considered it necessary to approve the school as a WAEC Centre after series of inspections.
Mr. Anderson, therefore, urged parents to avail themselves of this opportunity and register their children and wards for the May/June 2017 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), disclosing that the school had set academic standard in quiz competition, essay writing and Spelling Bee National Competition, in which students of the school represented Rivers State in Lagos.
The high point of the occasion was the presentation of prizes to outstanding teachers and students. Among the teachers honoured include Mrs. Perpetua Ifeanyi Ejiogu, Best Form Teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Irogbundu, Most Punctual Teacher and Mrs. Samuel Kpoturu, Most Dedicated Teacher.
The Senior Prefect of the school, Master Victor Ebi smiled home with the Best Dressed Student, Mathematics/Science Quiz Competition and Outstanding Academic Performance prizes while Miss Sharon Secondus carted away the Spelling Bee Competition prize.

Donatus Ebi

Education

PIDOMSON UNVEILS RADICAL EDUCATIONAL BLUEPRINT DIALOGUE

Published

6 days ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

The governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Rivers State, Dr. Sir Gabriel Baritulem Pidomson, PhD, has presented his comprehensive educational blueprint as part of his 10-Point Agenda for the state.

Dr. Pidomson unveiled the blueprint on Friday during the Rivers We Want 2027 Governorship Dialogue, organized by the Center for Peace and Security Studies, Port Harcourt, and convened under the Rivers Peace Initiative (RPI).

The dialogue, designed as a citizen-focused platform for constructive engagement ahead of the 2027 election, brought together stakeholders, civil society actors and the media to interrogate the vision of governorship hopefuls.

Presenting his agenda titled “Building The Rivers We Deserve,” the former Secretary to the Rivers State Government said education remains the foundation of his prosperity agenda for all Rivers people.

According to him, his administration will overhaul public schools to provide a conducive learning environment, strengthen technical and vocational education, and invest massively in teacher training and retraining to prepare Rivers students to compete globally.

Dr. Pidomson noted that his education reform will be tied to job creation, entrepreneurship, digital technology, agriculture and manufacturing, so that young people become employers of labour rather than job seekers.

He commended the organizers of the Rivers We Want Dialogue for creating a fair and inclusive platform where candidates can present their ideas directly to the people, rather than through ethnic sentiments or imposition.

The ADC candidate reiterated that his campaign will be built on ideas, discipline and people-centred solutions, stressing that no local government or community will be treated as an afterthought in his government.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Abia Student Breaks Down in Tears, Wishes Late Father Witnessed International Debate Victory

Published

6 days ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

An emotional moment unfolded as one of the students who represented Nigeria at the 2026 International Schools Debate Championship in Doha, Qatar, broke down in tears of joy following her speech, wishing her late father were alive to witness her remarkable achievement.

The student’s emotional reaction touched the hearts of those present as she reflected on the milestone and the father who could not be there to celebrate the moment with her.

Her mother and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, were also part of the emotional celebration, sharing in the joy of her achievement and Nigeria’s success at the international competition.

The student’s accomplishment has drawn attention to the growing importance of quality education, academic excellence and opportunities for young Nigerians to showcase their talents on the global stage.

The development has also renewed conversations about the state of education in Abia State under Governor Otti’s administration.

For many residents and supporters of the government, the achievement represents a positive sign of progress in the state’s education sector, which has faced challenges in previous years.

There is a growing sense of optimism among supporters who believe that renewed attention to education can help restore public confidence in the state’s schools and create opportunities for students to compete favourably with their peers around the world.

The student’s success in Doha is a reminder of the potential of Nigerian children when given the opportunity to learn, develop their skills and participate in international academic competitions.

Beyond the victory, her heartfelt wish to have her late father witness the moment added a deeply personal dimension to an achievement that brought pride to her family, Abia State and Nigeria.

Education

PAMO MEDICAL UNIVERSITY -Nullifies Arrest warrant on VC

Published

6 days ago

November 2, 2026

The Tide

The Scholarship controversies between PAMO University of Medical Sciences and the Rivers State House of Assembly took a twist last weekend as the Hon Justice Frank Onyiri has nullified the Order of Arrest of the State Assembly to arrest the Vice Chancellor of PAMO, Prof. Smith Jaja.

The court further granted perpetual injunction restraining the Assembly, the Police or any security agencies from in any way interfering with the rights of the applicant.

Delivering his ruling on Friday 30th October 2026 Justice Onyiri at the Rivers State High Court sitting in Port Harcourt.

The judge nullified the Order made against the applicant by the Rivers State House of Assembly, holding that the setting up of a committee to investigate the employer of the applicant purportedly under section 128 of the Constitution after the Appropriation Act 2026 had been passed and signed was a sham.

He held that the Assembly has no power to indict or adjudicate on the guilt of any person but only to investigate and receive evidence for, and only, for the purpose of section 128 of the constitution.

Starting that the declaration to arrest the Vice Chancellor, Prof Smith Jaja of PAMO by the RSHA for failure to appear before it’s Ad Hoc Committee on the 25th of September is nullified.

Giving his judgement in an enforcement of fundamental rights application brought before him by Professor Smith Jaja against fundamental rights by the Rivers State House of Assembly, the court upheld the entitlement of the applicant to have his fundamental rights under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Africa Charter on Human and People’s Rights protected.

The Judge also upheld an order of damages against the Rivers State House of HV Assembly in the sum of Two Million Naira to be paid to the applicant.

On his part, attorney of PAMO Medical University Dr. CAJ Chinwo and MS Agu who stood in for EC Ukala SAN comm

ended the judgement which lasted for about ninety minutes.