The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector.

Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt.

The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state.

According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government.

Speaking on the recent approval of employment for staff of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Dr. Nwagor described the development as a clear demonstration of continuity and progressive governance in Rivers State.

He explained that the recruitment exercise was initiated in 2023 during the administration of former Governor Nyesom Wike when Hon. David Akah served as Chairman of RSUBEB, while the current administration approved and implemented the names that were earlier forwarded for employment.

The Commissioner noted that the process reflects the commitment of successive administrations to sustaining policies and programmes capable of strengthening the educational system and improving service delivery within public schools.

He stressed that governance achieves greater impact when beneficial policies are sustained irrespective of political transitions, adding that the approval of the employment exercise would help address manpower needs within the basic education sector.

Dr. Nwagor , a proud son of Etche Ethnic Nationality with includes Omuma further assured the visiting journalists that the Ministry of Education remains open to collaboration with media organizations, especially the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists, in advancing educational advocacy, public enlightenment, and youth-oriented development programmes.

He commended the group for promoting professionalism, responsible journalism, and community development initiatives through its activities across the state.

The Commissioner particularly praised EEPJ for conceptualizing a pet project focused on combating drug abuse among youths in selected secondary schools in Etche and Omuma local Government Areas describing the initiative as timely considering the growing concerns over substance abuse and its negative impact on society.

He pledged the support and participation of the Ministry in the anti-drug abuse campaign scheduled to hold in the second week of June 2026.

According to him, tackling drug abuse requires collective action involving government institutions, the media, parents, schools, religious bodies, and civil society organizations.

Earlier in his remarks, the leader of EEPJ, Elder Akujobi Amadi said the visit was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the media and the education sector while also recognizing the Commissioner’s contributions toward educational development and public service in Rivers State.

The group reiterated its commitment to supporting policies and programmes that would promote quality education, youth empowerment, and societal development across the state and pronounce him a worthy patron of the Association. A recognition that will be celebrated in due time.

The Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board port Harcourt has trained 1,000 newly recruited teachers to raise standards in public primary and junior secondary schools in the state.

The two-day orientation and capacity building programme held in Port Harcourt introduced the teachers to civil service rules, classroom management practices, and professional conduct expected of educators in the state.

The state Commissioner for Education Dr. Peters Nwagor told the new intakes that teaching demands more than academic qualifications and called for discipline, diligence, and a strong commitment to service, describing the profession as noble one that is central to the development of the state.

The recruitment, he said, reflects the government’s investment in children and long-term development. “Education is the foundation of societal progress, and basic education is where that foundation is laid,” Nwagor stated.

He reminded the teachers that they would shape the values and character of pupils during their most formative years. He pledged continued support from the Ministry of Education through training, resources, and an environment that allows teachers to perform effectively.

Nwagor also directed RSUBEB to reject transfer requests from rural to urban schools. He said the newly employed teachers have an obligation to serve where they are posted and help strengthen education in those communities.

In his opening remarks,the RSUBEB Chairman ,Hon. Sam Oge explained that the recruitment process began in 2023 under the previous board , adding that after assuming office, he consulted widely and secured Governor Siminalayi Fubara’s approval to complete the exercise.

Oge said the selection was competitive, with 1,000 candidates chosen from more than 5,000 applicants. He urged the teachers to treat the opportunity seriously and avoid lobbying for reposting.

He warned that those seeking to change their postings would not be entertained. All teachers, he said, must resume at their assigned schools immediately.

The former RSUBEB Chairman Ven. Dr. Fyneface Akah, who delivered the keynote address, described the orientation as the teachers’ formal entry into the civil service. He encouraged them to be creative, purposeful, and open to learning on the job.

Akah stressed that teachers have a role in restoring values lost to moral decline. He urged them to model national values and see their work as a calling with lasting impact on society.

He thanked both past and present state governments for approving the recruitment, noting that the exercise would improve access to quality basic education across Rivers State.

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and psychosocial wellbeing of workers engaged in the ongoing Ogoni cleanup project, as the world marks the 2026 World Day for Safety and Health at Work.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, and signed by the Project Coordinator, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, HYPREP joined the global community in commemorating the annual event themed, “Ensuring a Healthy Psychosocial Working Environment for All,” noting that workplace safety must go beyond physical protection to include mental, emotional, and social wellbeing.

Zabbey highlighted that since the commencement of the Ogoni cleanup in 2017, following recommendations by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the Project has made significant strides in environmental restoration while maintaining a strong health and safety culture.

According to him, HYPREP’s interventions across remediation sites, shoreline cleanup operations, mangrove restoration efforts, and construction locations have consistently incorporated robust Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) systems.

He said the Project also recorded a major safety milestone, surpassing nine million man-hours without a fatality—an improvement on its earlier achievement of five million man-hours, and attributed this feat to strict adherence to safety protocols, effective monitoring, and collective commitment from all stakeholders.

Despite these gains, the Project Coordinator stressed the growing importance of addressing psychosocial risks in the workplace. Citing global data, he noted that hundreds of thousands of deaths annually are linked to work-related psychosocial factors such as excessive workload, poor work organisation, harassment, and job insecurity.

To tackle these challenges, he said HYPREP has strengthened staff welfare systems, promoted open communication, and integrated psychosocial risk assessments into its safety framework.

According to him, the Project also conducts regular awareness programmes aimed at fostering a healthier work environment.

HYPREP further disclosed that measures have been put in place across its offices and project sites to ensure reasonable work schedules, adequate rest periods, and access to both medical and psychological support services.

Zabbey emphasised that collaboration with contractors and host communities remains key to sustaining safety standards, noting that workplace safety is a shared responsibility.

Reiterating the human-centred nature of the Ogoni cleanup initiative, he called on all stakeholders to prioritise psychosocial wellbeing as an integral part of workplace safety, while continuing to uphold vigilance and mutual support across all levels of project implementation.