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World Refugee Day: Ita-Giwa Wants UN To Implement Green Tree Agreement On Bakassi
Former Presidential Adviser on National Assembly matters, Senator Florence Ita-Giwa, says only the full implementation of the Green Agreement by the United Nations (UN) can guarantee speedy resettlement of the people of Bakassi in Cross River State, South-South Nigeria.
The Agreement was signed between Nigeria and Cameroon in the present of the United Nations in 2006 before the withdrawal of the Nigeria Military and its citizens from their ancestral.
In a statement personally signed by the Bakassi Political leader in Calabar, to mark the 2020 World Refugee day, Ita-giwa said non Implementation of the Green Tree Agreement has made the neglected displaced people of Bakassi suffer especially in the ruthless claws of the Cameroonian officials.
Ita-Giwa, said the Bakassi indegenes who where forcefully pulled out of their ancestral homes 12 years ago, still pace the streets with bleeding heels amidst hopelessness.
She explained that the huge financial burden the Returnees are causing the Cross River state government needs Federal Government and International Community intervention.
“As a people we have suffered enough to the extent that some of us are forced to return to peninsula inspire of the ruthlessness of Cameroonian officials rather than be exposed to the indignity of extended habitation of squalid camps.
“Bakassi indigenes are clearly the most neglected set of displaced persons in Nigeria given the number of years they have been left to wallow inside squalid camps.
“Since Nigeria formally pulled out of the Bakassi peninsula which was our ancestral home on August 14, 2008, most of us have had to endure untold hardship in so called displaced persons camps.
“While we sincerely appreciate the efforts of the Cross River state government, we are not unmindful of the financial constraints affecting the government. We hereby demand that the Federal government take up its share of responsibility in resettling us properly.
“In the same token, we are calling on the United Nations and the guarantors to the Green Tree Agreement to do the needful as it concerns us.
“During the 2006 Green Tree Agreement that preceded the withdrawal from our homeland, assurances of our speedy rehabilitation and recovery were given.
“It is our hope and prayer that by the time the world observes another World Refugee Day, we would be in a position to announce a marked improvement in the fortunes of long suffering Bakassi indigenes,” she noted.
From Friday Nwagbara, Calabar
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A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
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