News
Rivers ’ll Bankroll UTME Fees For Indigenes, Non-Indigenes -Wike …Meets Private Schools Owners, Today …Reconstitutes UBE Board
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has announced that the state government would henceforth bankroll the form fees for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) of Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for all Indigenes and non-indigenes in the state.
Wike said that the gesture of the Rivers State Government would commence with the 2020 UTME to be conducted by JAMB.
Speaking during a courtesy visit by the Registrar of JAMB at the Government House, Port Harcourt, yesterday, Wike said that the Rivers State Government was committed to ensuring that less privileged students are not denied the opportunity to sit for the examination.
He said: “From 2020, UTME forms for Indigenes and non-indigenes will be paid for by the Rivers State Government. It is important for us to ensure that children of the less privileged don’t bear this burden.
“This offer is to ensure that no qualified candidate is denied the opportunity to write the UTME. For some parents, the fee is nothing, but there are families that cannot afford the fees”.
The governor also announced the allocation of land at the Greater Port Harcourt City to JAMB for the construction of their Zonal Office.
He also allocated a block of offices to JAMB as their temporary office in Rivers State, following the dilapidation of the current office, and donated an operational vehicle to JAMB in the state.
In his remarks, Registrar of JAMB, Prof Ishaq Oloyede commended the Rivers State governor for his commitment to the development of education, especially his abolition of fees for secondary and primary schools in the state.
He appealed to the Rivers State governor to allocate a temporary office to JAMB for their daily operations as the current office has totally degenerated.
Oloyede said that in view of the number of candidates writing UTME in the state, JAMB requires land to construct a mega computer-based test centre in the state.
“There are only 12 computer-based test centres in Rivers State. This number is grossly inadequate. We urge Your Excellency to allocate land for JAMB to construct a mega computer-based test centre for at least 500 candidates.
“You are the closest governor to JAMB. Rise and help us. Funding is no longer our problem. We retain N2billion annually from our Internally Generated Revenue”; he said.
Meanwhile, the Rives State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, will today, hold a crucial meeting with all proprietors of private schools operating in the state.
A statement signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, yesterday, indicated that the meeting would hold at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Port Harcourt, at 12noon.
Danagogo directed all concerned to be seated at 11:30am.
“You are further requested to come along with all demand notices received from the state or any local government area as well as any payment receipt in respect thereof”, the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has approved the re-constitution of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board.
The new members of the board include, Ven Fyneface Akah representing Obio/Akpor LGA as chairman; Mr Cyril Hart, representing Bonny LGA as member; Mr Precious Baridoo, representing Khana LGA as member; and Chief Faith Amaso, representing Ogu/Bolo LGA as member.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant to the Governor on Electronic Media, Simeon Nwakaudu, said the reconstituted board member would be sworn-in by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, today, by 2pm at the Executive Council Chamber of Government House, Port Harcourt.
The statement also directed all affected members of the board to be seated at the Executive Council Chamber by 1.30pm.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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