Niger Delta
Board Seeks Special Allowances For Teachers In Rural Communities

Bayelsa State Post Primary Schools Board (BYPPSB) says it has sent a proposal to the State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, to approve a special allowance for teachers working in schools located in rural communities, as part of government’s effort to discourage rural and urban drift of teachers.
Chairman of the Board, Millionaire Asangba, made this revelation when the Academic Staff Union of Secondary Schools (ASUSS), Bayelsa State Chapter, paid him a solidarity visit in his office as part of activities to mark the 2022 World Teachers Day at the Education House in Yenagoa.
According to the Board Chairman, the state government has developed many policies and programme that would transform the educational sector for good and improve the welfare of teachers who are working tirelessly to educate, groom and grow the Bayelsa child.
He, however, warned teachers who are habitually not going to the classroom to teach but receive salaries monthly, to desist forthwith as government would no longer tolerate such act.
“I am happy that you appreciate the present government for paying your salaries promptly. I am also happy that you are excited by this development, but the day I come to your school and I don’t find you in class teaching during school hours, you will become my enemy.
“As for those who teach in rural schools and are complaining of the living condition and high cost of transportation to their stations, the government is working out a special allowance for you, so that teachers would stop migrating from rural to urban areas”, he said.
Speaking also, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Education, Christopher Ewhrudjakpo, reiterated the fact that the teaching profession has not been given its pride of place across Nigeria, but that in Bayelsa State teachers have started enjoying improved welfare.
”I started as a teacher, and the teacher addressing me, was once my student. So my appeal is that, as the government is paying your salaries promptly and improving your welfare, you should also teach our children how to become great men and women in the future”, he said.
Speaking with newsmen shortly after a ‘solidarity walk’ with the theme: “The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers”, the State Chairman of ASUSS, Pedro Igbudu, thanked the government for the prompt payment of salaries but appealed that education facilities should be improved across the state to get efficient productivity from teachers.
“We appreciate the government for paying our salaries on time and we are ready to work with them to improve the quality of education. But we want to appeal to the government to improve the education infrastructure in the state and provide teaching aids to help teachers efficiently and productively,” Igbudu said.
“As for the provision of special allowance for teachers in rural areas, I want to say we are in total support. We pray that the Governor gives the proposal speedy approval, so that rural teachers would be happy to do their jobs.
“I say so because, salaries alone cannot cover the transport fare teachers in distant rural communities pay to work every month”, he added.
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
Niger Delta
RSNC Head Charges NAOMEW On Professionalism, Effective Service Delivery

The Head of Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba, has charged the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (NAOMEW) World Wide, to be committed to professionalism, patriotism and effective service delivery in the discharge of their duties and rendering of patriotic gestures.
Mrs Gbaraba gave the charge yesterday when the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter paid her a courtesy call in her office in Port Harcourt.
She expressed deep appreciation for the visit, and assured the Association of her commitment to being a worthy Ogoni Ambassador like late Mr Augustine Nwikinaka, former General Manager of the corporation, to promote the fortunes of the corporation, while counting on their unflinching encouragement, prayers and support to succeed.
“ I am very happy to receive the National Association of Ogoni Media House Workers (The Tide Chapter) today in my office. I am glad you people came to my office, for those that know me in a short while in the corporation, I am a serious-minded person. I heard that the time the corporation was functioning well was under the leadership of late Austin Nwikinaka. Any where I go to, I will rather come down and show working example and that is what the Ogoni person is known for. So I am always proud to associate myself with an Ogoni man, so your support means so much to me,” Mrs Gbaraba said.
She assured them of running an open-door policy in the management of the corporation, and urged stronger partnership between NAOMEW, other unions, interest groups, corporate organisations, institutions and the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation in professional service delivery.
Speaking on behalf of the NAOMEW, The Tide Chapter, the National Secretary of the association, Comrade Taneh Beemene welcomed her into The Tide family and also congratulated her on her very important appointment.
Taneh, who expressed confidence in her experience and abilities to deliver on her assignments, thanked her for the uncommon feats recorded in the corporation within her brief leadership. He said the corporation has been revived from its comatose status that predated her appointment.
“ Within your short time, you have given the corporation a remarkable facelift. We pray that God should give you the enablement to restore the dignity of the corporation. We have come to inform you that we are solidly behind you and will make our untiring contributions to make you succeed, “ he stated.
In his vote of thanks and closing remarks, the Chairman, National Union of Printing, Publishing and Paper Production Workers (NUPPPPROW), Comrade Keyirale Donatus Nwiueh thanked the Head of the Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Mrs Stella Dornubari Gbaraba for receiving the association in a warm manner, adding that she should count on the support of the association to succeed.
Kiadum Edookor
Niger Delta
OBALGA Sole Administrator Presents Brand New Fire Extinguishers To Council …Commiserates With Traders Over Rumuomasi Market Fire Incident …Commences Desilting Of Drainages

The Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has presented 150 brand new fire extinguishers to the council.
Dr Walter who spoke to newsmen at the council premises at Rumuodumanya said the gesture was part of measures by his administration to ensure safety of lives and council property from unforeseen fire incidents.
He urged the staff of the council to ensure the safety of the extinguishers, while promising to engage experts to teach them how to handle and operate the extinguishers.
Meanwhile, Sole Administrator of Obio Akpor Local Government Council, Dr Clifford Ndu Walter has commiserated with traders at the Rumuomasi Market over the unfortunate fire incident that gutted parts of the market.
Dr Walter who visited the market to assess the level of damage caused by the fire, described it as unfortunate
Addressing the crowd of distressed traders and community members, Dr. Walter acknowledged the historical significance of the market, which was originally built under the administration of the former Obio/Akpor Chairman and current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief (Barr.) Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, CON.
He noted that preliminary findings suggest the fire may have been caused by an electrical fault, though a full investigation is still underway.
“As a local government, we will constitute a thorough investigation team to determine the root cause of the fire,
“Most importantly, we thank God that no lives were lost. I want to assure our traders that the Local Government will not abandon you.
“We will also work with security operatives to safeguard salvaged goods and prevent further losses,” he said.
He encouraged traders to adopt stricter safety measures, especially concerning electrical appliances in markets prone to fire hazards.
“There are many ways fires can ignite, even without an open flame. Let us all be vigilant and prioritise safety,” he cautioned.
Dr. Walter also commended those who stepped in to assist during the emergency.
“We are grateful to all who helped salvage goods and support affected persons during the crisis. Your kindness embodies the spirit of Obio/Akpor. The forthcoming investigation will help us put preventive structures in place,” he said.
The Chairman of the market, Mr. Prince Adele, who accompanied Dr. Walter, during the inspection, identified K-Lane as the most severely affected area.
A statement by the information officer to the council, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said no incident of death was reported by the traders during the visit.
In another development, the Sole Administrator of Obio/Akpor local government council, Sir Clifford Ndu Walter, has commenced a comprehensive canal clearance campaign with a view to identifying and removal of all blockages including illegal structures hindering the free flow of waters in the area.
A statement from the council Press Secretary, Ominini Leslie Wokoma said during the inspection of key canals in the area, several unauthorised barricades and blockages were discovered and removed.
According to the statement, Dr Walter emphasised that illegal dumping, unapproved structures and poor drainage habits endanger communities and undermine government efforts, adding that his administration is committed to protecting lives and property of the citizens.
It said the Sole Administrator also declared his readiness to ensure that all canals and drainages are cleaned, maintained and functioning effectively.
He also warned against further dumping of waste in waterways, citing impending flooding.