News
Commissioner Harps On Importance Of Education
Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Chinedu Mmom, has described education as a veritable tool for growth and development of any society.
The commissioner stated this, last Monday, when he paid a familiarisation visit to the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB), Port Harcourt.
A press statement signed by the Chief Press Officer of the Rivers Universal Basic Education Board in Port Harcourt, Okechukwu Geoffrey, quoted the commissioner as saying that a lot can be achieved, if all hands were on deck, maintaining that the board was one of the places he considered very paramount to visit, having heard enough of its good works.
While commendingthe board under FynefaceAkah for the wonderful work they were doing, the commissioner said the purpose of the visit was to collaborate and synergise with the board to take the education sector in the state to a higher pedestal.
According to him, the time may appear limited but little is much when God’s hands are in it, assuring that “even within the limited time and resources, we can make impact with the cooperation of the board”.
Mmom further hinted that he has hit the ground running by setting up a committee on Needs Assessment of the public schools in the state with junior and senior secondary schools inclusive, pointing out that the vision of his principal (governor) was to make education in the state the envy of others.
He, therefore, thanked the state governor for the confidence reposed in him to serve at this point.
The commissioner maintained that the recent quiz competition he witnessed has proved that public schools can do better contrary to people’s believe, and promised that his ministry would not hesitate to carry out training and retraining of teachers.
He described training and retraining of teachers as very necessary as it would impact positively on the children as they would be returning to school in September, and thanked the board for the warm reception accorded him and his entourage.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the Executive Chairman of the State UBE Board, Ven. Fyneface Akah, had described the commissioner’s familiarisation visit as the very first from the ministry since he (Akah) assumed office.
He told the commissioner that the board was part of a SERVICOM system of the Federal Ministry of Education and Universal Basic Education Commission, saying that the board was structured along that line as its parent body(Ministry of Education).
He promised to work with the commissioner so as to deliver on the mandate given to them by the governor.
On the work scope,Akah said under the 2005 law establishing the board,it has not reneged in carrying out the work of administration and organisation of teaching and learning in schools.
According to him, “as board, we are committed to discreet implementation of these statutory responsibilities”, and reaffirmed the readiness of the board to work together with the commissioner to achieve set goals.
Akah also thanked the state Governor, Chief NyesomWike, for the provision of funds, and told the commissioner that the good news about Rivers SUBEB was that since he assumed office seven years ago, the board has been part of the first five on the radar of performing SUBEBs in Nigeria, adding that the state was up-to-date in different aspects, including the World Bank/Federal Ministry Education and the UBEC BESDA initiative, which is aimed at curbing the scourge of out-of-school children in Nigeria.
In his vote of thanks, Commissioner, Administration at the board’sheadquarters, Chief Faith Amaso, expressed happiness for the visit, and lauded the education commissioner for deeming it necessary to visit the board within the shortest time since assumption of office, and wished him well on his job.
The meeting had directors of the board and the Quality Assurance Director of the Ministry of Education, Mrs Sylvaline, as well as commissioner’s aids in attendance.
By: Amadi Akujobi
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.