News

RSUBEB Returns 90,000 Out-Of-School Pupils Back To Classes In Rivers

Published

3 years ago

April 15, 2022

The authorities of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) has said a total of 90,000 out-of-school pupils have been returned back to classes through its BESDA programme in two years.
The 90,000 pupils were among the 110,600 out-of-school children in the state as contained in the Universal Basic Education Commission(UBEC)report as at 2019.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Ven. Fyneface Akah disclosed this while speaking to journalists after the monthly stakeholders’ advocacy engagement meeting with the League of Character Club, Rumuekini Council of Chiefs,SMBC Executive,in OBALGA,Rumuekpe CDC,Prime Cornerstone Initiative and Friends Initiative Skills Education held at the main auditorium of the board in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Akah while giving the breakdown of the enrolment figure, said a total of 36,000 children were enrolled back to school last academic session of the BESDA programme,while 54,000 pupils were enrolled back to school during this academic year.
He added that the monthly engagement meeting with stakeholders was part of the board’s initiative and official response to feedback from the communities where the state government has extended basic education services, so as to enable them understand how government operates.
The RSUBEB boss said that the mandate given to the board by the Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike was for them to extend basic education to the rural communities across the entire state, including the provision of infrastructure such as school building for teachers and students while also building a positive school change.
He added that the only way the board can achieve such was for stakeholders to buy into the objectives of the board in other to enhance literacy and numerical education service delivery.
Akahsaid that the state governor was working to better the education system in the state, adding that the board was elated and happy that people were identifying with the progress and achievements going on in basic education sector.
According to him,the monthly advocacy platform was designed to educate communities that have indicated interest and passion in the delivery of education services,adding that the board would continue to work with such communities, groups and individuals in realising its mandates in building and promoting basic education service in the state.
Akah used the opportunity to commend the efforts of Edoha community in Ogbakiri, Emohua Local Government Area for their efforts in building and managing a community school for over five years,adding that the board has graciously taken the ownership of the school and would henceforth take total responsibility in the school.
“We shall post teachers;you will no longer pay the teachers again by your selves. Your efforts have helped us as it is in line with our mandate.These are some of the fruits that come from the initiative and the platform. People are no longer depending on government alone to provide literacy and numeric education in our society. They now know that it is a collective role”, he stated.
Speaking on the award bestowed on him by the League of Character Club of Nigeria,Akah said it would spur him to do more, adding that it was “an invitation to keep working; more challenges to work than excitement.
“We have voluntary organisations standing with what we are doing,that is a confirmation of our advocacy that provision of education is not for government alone.This is what we are doing in BESDA,” he stated.
Earlier in their respective responses, Mr Maxwell Umunakwe Chukwu, Rumuekini; Hon Weneda Agbagbuo, Oduoha, Ogbakiri; and Mr Kam Chuka Udochukwu,SBMC OBALGA, among others, commended the chairman and members of the board for their efforts in developing and bettering the basic education system in the state.

By: Akujobi Amadi

News

Kano Gov Congratulates NUJ At 70

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State has congratulated the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) on its 70th anniversary.
The governor acknowledged the NUJ’s vital role in strengthening democracy and promoting accountability in governance.
This is contained in a statement by the governor’s spokesman, Sunusi Dawakin Tofa in Kano, yesterday.
The governor lauded the NUJ for its unwavering commitment to ethical journalism and nation building.
He commended the union’s leadership, led by Mr Alhassan Yahya Abdullahi, for advancing press freedom and advocating for journalists’ welfare.
“The NUJ has been instrumental in shaping Nigeria’s narrative, promoting democracy and ensuring accountability in governance.
”The Kano state government recognises the critical role of the media in our democracy and will continue to support and collaborate with the NUJ to uphold a free and independent press,” he stated.
Yusuf urged journalists to continue to uphold professionalism, integrity and objectivity.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fostering a strong partnership with the union, while ensuring that the media remained a pillar of democracy in the state and the country at large.
“Once again, congratulations to the NUJ on this remarkable achievement. May the next 70 years bring even greater successes and accomplishments for the union and its members,” he stated.

News

Monarch Lauds Fubara On Enduring Peace, Installs Three Chiefs In Ngo

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The Village Head of Ngo in Andoni Local Government Area of Rivers State, King Dogood Ngere, has commended the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for his peaceful disposition and leadership qualities in the State.
King Ngere has also appealed to the governor and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to resolve their differences and work together for the interest of peace and development of the State.
The monarch stressed the need for the two leaders to put Rivers State interest above personal interest and reconcile their differences.
He said Fubara’s decision to implement the Supreme Court judgement shows that he is a man of peace and appealed to the Rivers State House of Assembly led by Rt Martin Amaewhule to work with the Executive to move the State forward.
The traditional ruler stated this shortly after he installed three chiefs at his palace in Ngo Town.
The three chiefs are Chief Daniel Dimkpa Nelson of Ebirien Ngere family, Chief John Biboh John of Ngor Egbesi family, and Awajimotumu Ukot Idawaji as chief of Ida Awaji family.
Addressing the new chiefs after their installation, King Ngere charged them to see themselves as role models for their individual families, stressing that as chiefs, it behoves them to be exemplary in their conducts.
According to the traditional ruler, the new chiefs must not only work for the peace of their families but Ngo community in general.
King Ngere also advised members of the three families to give their chiefs the desired respect while also supporting them to succeed.
He commended Governor Fubara for his numerous developmental projects in Andoni, particularly the ongoing Ngo/Oyorokoto Road, saying that when completed, the road will open up economic opportunities in the area.
Also speaking at the occasion, the Secretary of the Egweoke Council of Chiefs, Chief Awajiokan Mbosowo Ukumor, described the installation ceremony as a big success.
He said the three chiefs fulfilled all the conditions for their installation and are therefore admitted as members of the Ngo Council of Chiefs.
The ceremony was attended by people from various walks of life.

News

NDLEA Seizes Large Consignments Of Skunk, Heroin Across Six States, FCT

Published

3 days ago

March 17, 2025

The Tide

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has seized large consignments of skunk, heroin, and other opioids in raids across Kano, Kwara, Kaduna, Taraba, Abia, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
NDLEA’s Director, Media and Advocacy, Mr Femi Babafemi, disclosed this in a statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, yesterday.
Babafemi said that in Kano, a total of 727 blocks of compressed skunk weighing 479kg were recovered from a 40-year-old suspect.
According to him, the suspect was arrested by operatives of the NDLEA at the Chalawa area of the state on March 12.
He added that no fewer than 58,300 pills of tramadol were also intercepted along Kabba-Obajana highway, Kogi, in a commercial bus coming from Lagos, enroute Abuja on March 11.
He added that raid operations in Kachia, in Kaduna on March 13, led to the arrest of a 21 year-old suspect, with 4,900 pills of tramadol 225mg seized from him.
Babafemi said that a similar exercise in the Hayin Banki area of Kaduna North Local Government Area (LGA) on March 14, also resulted in the arrest of another 25-year-old suspect.
According to Babafemi, 2,900 tablets of tramadol 225mg was also recovered from him.
“A total of 40,200 tablets of tramadol 225mg were recovered from the duo of Olowoko Faruk and Akeem Ridwan along Ilorin – Jebba expressway, Bode Saadu, Kwara, on Friday, March 14.
“The NDLEA operatives equally seized 21,700 capsules of same opioid from a suspect, along Eiyenkorin expressway, Ilorin on Thursday, March 13.
“Also, in Taraba, NDLEA officers on Friday, March 14, another 30-year-old suspect, at Bente Road, Kurmi LGA, with 15.77kg of skunk,” he stated.
Speaking further, he noted that agency operatives had also on March 13 in Osun, intercepted a commercial bus with registration number, SGB 564 YS coming from Idumota, Lagos Island.
According to him, the NDLEA operatives recovered a total of 48.7kg Ghanaian Loud, Colorado and Canadian Loud, all strains of cannabis.
“Not less than nine suspects have been arrested in connection with the seizure in Osogbo and Ile-Ife during follow up operations.
“A 58-year-old suspect was on March 11, arrested along Gwagwalada expressway, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Abuja, with 27,800 pills of tramadol 225mg.
“Another 26 year old suspect sold was nabbed same day with various quantities of skunk and cocaine at Wuse zone 3 area of Abuja.
“In Abia, NDLEA operatives had also on March 15, raided the Ntigha community, Isiala-Ngwa North LGA, where a 34-year-old suspect was arrested.
“Operatives recovered from him, 274grams of heroin, 141grams of methamphetamine, 2.931kg of cannabis sativa, four grams of cocaine and N753,015 monetary exhibit,” he said.