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RSUBEB Moves To Entrench Good Governance In Schools
The Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) has constituted 12-member School-Based Management Committees (SBMCs) at the state and local government levels in a bid to achieve the goal of free education policy and entrench good governance at the school level.
The step is also targeted at achieving high school performance through the provision of basic infrastructure needs of schools in the state through stakeholders’ involvement.
The ExecutiveCchairman of the RSUBEB, Ven Fyneface Akah while inaugurating the SBMCs at the conference hall of the board in Port Harcourt, last Monday, said the SBMCs were integral part in the basic education management which was designed to realize the maxim of “education is the responsibility of all.”
Akah opined that the core mandate of the committees was to collaborate in bringing their inputs and sourcing for funds to help make the schools more comfortable and enhance learning in their various localities.
According to him, the SBMCs’ membership was drawn from communities where schools were domiciled to interface between government and the communities to ensure proper funding, and also ensure that education was well organized in their communities.
He averred that the committees were at liberty to source funds from time-to-time for the management of their schools, but warned that such funds derived must not be an impediment to free education of any child under the RSUBEB education law in the state.
“The SBMCs must ensure that the sourcing of funds must be with the parents, community and philanthropists in their catchment areas. No child or children should be made to suffer or his or her rights to free education impaired. Education is not totally free but parents must fulfill part of their own obligations.
“Education is the responsibility of all, and we must understand it. The SBMC is a structure of basic education that needs to be driven for the realisation of the maxim that ‘education is responsibility for all’ through advocacy. Their responsibility is quite generic and inclusive,” he stated.
Akah warned the committee members not to divert funds generated in this regard for their personal use but for the purpose for which it was approved by the board, saying that they must confront people with objective truth.
He used the opportunity to thank teachers, school heads and junior secondary school principals for their efforts in keeping the school system working before the inception of the present administration in the state, adding that the board would continue to stand on its resolution to achieve positive change in the basic education system in the state.
“Our major concern is to ensure that our schools become functional system. The state government is committed on its free education policy,” he stated.
Earlier in his speech, Director, Social Mobilization in the board, Mr Ogwe Ibe, explained that SBMCs were not committees set up to merely discuss problems, but community bodies which can take actions to make their schools work better.
Ibe listed fund-raising events, grants from corporate organizations and donors, donations from individuals, community funding, SBMC members’ contributions and direct funding from the state government in the form of grant or capital allowance as possible sources of funding for schools.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene
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