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RSG, Others Synergise To Add Value To Education
The Rivers State Government has said it would continue to identify with organisations that support government’s efforts in improving the education sector in the state.
Acting Chairman of the Rivers State Senior Secondary Schools Board, Ade Wisdom said this during the commissioning of four-room toilet facility and wash hand basins donated by the Rotary Club of Rumuomasi to the Community Senior Secondary School, Rumuomasi.
Wisdom said the toilet facility has added value to the education sector in the state.
“We appreciate what Rotary International is doing. Of course, Rotary over the years is known to be involved in activities/projects that have added meaning to the lives of people, especially the down trodden. What Rotary has done here will greatly compliment what government is doing. Anything that adds value to education will be appreciated, we want to assure you that this facility will be used well and sustained it,” he said.
On his part, the District 9141 Governor of Rotary International, Andy Uwejinya, represented by the District Assistant Governor Zone One, Blessing Timothy said the donation of the toilet facility has ended years of open defecation in the school.
In his remarks, President of the Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Ofonmbuk Dicksen-Usen said the gesture was in commemoration of the World Hand Wash Day and to fulfill the Rotary area of focus WASH project for host communities.
“Upon our charter on the 9th of July, 2021, the club at its maiden meeting, set out to embark on a project that will further announce her birth into Rotary International and the community of Rumuomasi in particular. This search did not take long, as our venture to this school, and we were acquainted with the rather worrisome challenges facing the school. The problems were lack of classrooms, poor security, lack of office for the principal and other school officers, absence of toilets thereby leading to the over 1,500 students defecating recklessly within the school premises”, he said.
Charter President of the Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Deacon Ofonmbuk Dicksen-Usen said the facility would improve the hygiene situation in the school.
“As we hand over this facility to the school authority, with cleaning materials and accessories, we hope that it will go a long way to aid the teachers and students towards improvement of the hygiene situation in the school while also preserving our environment and enhancing academic excellence amongst the students, as a result of their learning in a conducive environment.
“We sincerely appreciate our District Governor, Rtn Andy Uwejeyan, and our Assistant Governor – Rtn Blessing Michael, for her encouragement.
“We are also grateful to our Club Advisor, AG Rtn Ibiminna Amachree for her guidance. Not forgetting the Rivers State Senior Secondary School Board for permitting us to embark on this project in the school and Eze Raymond Chinda – for the protection he accorded us throughout the period of the construction”, Dicksen-Usen said.
It would be recalled that the facility has four-room toilets (water system) divided equally into two sections, for boys and girls.
Each section of the toilets also has two wash hand basins, with the floors and walls finished with ceramic tiles.
There is lighting points to illuminate the toilets, while adequate provisions have been made for ventilation.
The facility also has a constructed standard septic/soak-away pit.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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