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 Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
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.
