Niger Delta

Teachers’ Day: Oborevwori Tasks Teachers On Knowledge, Skills Upgrade

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2024

The Governor of Delta State, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori has challenged teachers to continuously upgrade their knowledge and teaching skills.
Giving the charge on Saturday, while speaking at this year’s celebration of Teachers’ Day held in Asaba, the Governor, represented at the occasion by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, said, “Teachers and educationists must continuously upgrade their knowledge and teaching skills and adapt to changing situations very quickly”.
He asserted that “the role of the teacher in nation building cannot be over emphasised”, saying “a nation is built by its citizens; citizens are taught, trained and moulded by teachers.
“It is the teacher’s responsibility to impart knowledge, instill the right values and give the pupils and students the right skill sets to enable them take part in and contribute to their communities and the larger society.
“since 1994 when the United Nations Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organisation (UNESCO) set aside October 5 as World Teachers’ Day, the yearly event offers government, parents and stakeholders in the education sector the opportunity to acknowledge, celebrate, and thank our teachers for the great work they are doing.
“Every year, the World Teachers’ Day offers us the opportunity to reflect on the noble profession that teaching is, and it is invaluable role in nation building.
“Growing up, apart from our parents, the next most influential person in any person’s life is a teacher, a good teacher has the power to impact us for good.
“In the development of a country, great attention has to be paid to education and learning. Statistically, it is believed that human resources constitute 65 per cent of national development with infrastructure and natural resources contributing 10 percent and 25 percent respectively.
“Teachers are critical key factor in this process because they are largely responsible for the development of human resources.
“Let me state that we are very happy with the cordial and harmonious relationship that exists between the NUT and other labour unions with the state government, it is my hope and expectation that it remains that way.
“We are committed to maintaining that harmonious relationship through the discharge of our obligations to teachers and other workers in the state.
“Beyond the issue of funding requirements, remunerations, and teacher-welfare that often dominate the agenda on days like this, it is my sincere hope that you will use the occasion of this year’s celebration to focus on the issue of excellence in teaching and learning, I believe this is the greatest need facing our educational system today.
“Teachers and educationists must constantly upgrade their knowledge and teaching skills and adapt to changing situations very quickly”.
Earlier in an address, the National President of Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Audu Amba, who was represented by Comrade Ikechukwu Orobo, noted that this year’s celebration with the theme, “Valuing Teacher voices: Towards A New Social Contract For Education”, highlights the important role teachers play in shaping the future of education and society, and the need to value their knowledge, voice and participation.
Comrade Amba used the occasion to call on State governors to implement the new retirement age for teachers.
Also, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Delta State Wing, Comrade Titus Okotie, assured the State Government of the union’s readiness at all time to work closely with her in formulating policies that would transform the educational system.
Comrade Okotie, while commending the state government for the giant strides made so far in the education sector as evident in the recruitment of teachers in the primary school system, release of promotion to eligible teachers as at when due, among others.
In a goodwill message, the Chairman, Nigeria Labour Union, Delta State, Comrade Goodluck Ofobruku, called on the Federal and State government to take care of teachers through the provision of higher salary.
Delivering a lecture, the Rector of Delta State Polytechnic, Otefe-Oghara, Prof. Emmanuel Biri lauded the state government for creating three new universities, saying that it has provided Deltans the opportunity to acquire tertiary education that would further translate to growth.
The 2024 World Teachers’ Day celebration in Asaba featured cultural dance as well as match pass by teachers from the 25 local government areas of Delta State.

Albert Ograka,
Asaba

Niger Delta

Bayelsa, Rivers To Establish Joint Anti-Vandalism Taskforce On National Grid, Others

Published

3 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

The Governments of Bayelsa and Rivers States have resolved to jointly work towards strengthening security architecture to protect power and other critical national assets in their border communities.

This decision, The Tide learnt, followed the outcome of a meeting between the Acting Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, and the Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Prof. Ngozi Odu, at the Brick House, Port Harcourt.

In his remarks, Senator Ewhrudjakpo underscored the importance of effective collaboration between the two states to tackle power outage and its attendant socio-economic losses occasioned by criminal activities of vandals.

Lamenting that it cost Bayelsa so much political and financial capital to have power restored after a four-month period of blackout, the Acting Governor stressed the need for urgent and drastic measures to forestall the recurrence of such harrowing experience.

Senator Ewhrudjakpo seized the opportunity to thank the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and his Deputy, Prof Odu, for showing concern over the Bayelsa plight and indicating readiness for collaboration to curb the menace.

“For the past four months, the transmission lines between Bayelsa and Ahoada in Rivers State have been vandalized almost three times. And to fix it, TCN was telling us one story after another.

“So, we decided to take it upon ourselves to make sure we fix the line. But having fixed it, what we need to do is to have a team that provides surveillance for that facility so that it will not be easily vandalized again.

“We believe if we have this kind of joint collaboration, it will be easier for our communities to protect the facilities. So we need to have a joint committee that will monitor the line between Rivers and Bayelsa”, the Bayelsa Ag. Governor said.

Earlier, the Rivers State Deputy Governor had assured the Bayelsa delegation of her state’s preparedness to contribute meaningfully towards the fight against transmission lines vandalism.

“We must do something about it because you don’t leave your problems or sweep them under the carpet. If you sweep them under the carpet, they remain there. You have to bring them out and find the strategy that works best to solve them”, Prof. Odu said.

Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, Bayelsa State Commissioner for Information, Mrs. Ebiuwou Koku-Obiyai, and her Rivers State Local Government Affairs counterpart, Prince Charles Beke, disclosed that both states had resolved to establish anti-vandalization taskforce committees that will work jointly to check the activities of power vandals.

Mrs. Koku-Obiyai, who emphasized the need for active community engagement in the security arrangements, informed that Bayelsa had already constituted and inaugurated a 10-member anti-vandalism taskforce, which has since commenced operations in the state.

Government officials who accompanied Senator Ewhrudjakpo to the meeting which was at the instance of the Governors of Bayelsa and Rivers State were, the Chief of Staff, Government House, Hon. Peter Akpe, and the Commissioner for Power, Engr Kumoko Kharin.

Others included the Commissioner for Community Development, Hon, Watson Belemote; the Mayor of Yenagoa City, Mr. Bulodisiye Ndiware; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, CP Agberebi Akpoebi (Rtd); and the Chairman of the Bayelsa State Anti-Vandalization Taskforce, CP Mary George (Rtd).

The Chairman of Ahoada West, Mr. Iyekor Ikporo, and that of Ahoada East, Mr. Chibudum Ezu, were part of the Rivers team, while the Managing Director, Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) was represented by Engr Juliet Ndidi at the meeting.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa

Niger Delta

C’River Magistrates Threaten Indefinite Industrial Action

Published

3 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

Magistrates in Cross River State have threatened to embark on an indefinite strike last Monday over alleged poor welfare and other conditions of service.

This is contained in a release jointly signed by the State Chairman of Magistrates Association of Nigeria (MAN), Godwin Onah, and his Secretary, Solomon Abuo.

The Tide’s source reports that the Magistrates noted that the strike will not cease until their demands are met by the government.

They had earlier embarked on a 3-day warning strike to press home their demands and also warned that they will commence an indefinite industrial action should the government fail to meet their demands.

They said the government has failed to implement their promotions and see to their overall welfare and working environment.

According to the statement dated December 8, following the expiration of the warning strike, the magistrates have decided to embark on indefinite strike from Monday, December 9.

“Furthermore, sequel to our letter to the Governor of Cross River State dated 11th November, 2024, where the notice of strike, was extended to Friday 22nd November, 2024 to enable the State Government to attend to our demands, and having failed to do so till date, we hereby issue this bulletin.

“In line therefore, with our congress resolution to proceed on a three days warning strike is hereby declared by the state chapter of the Magistrates.

“This action in the first instance, will be effective from 6am of Wednesday, 27th November 2024 to Friday , 29th November, 2024.

“If the State Government fails to meet our demands, an indefinite strike shall be embarked upon until all our demands are fully met”.

Before the warning strike, the magistrates had earlier in November issued a seven days ultimatum to the state government to effect promotion for its members that have remained stagnant since 2015.

The magistrates also decried the payment of N15,000 as monthly impress to magistrates in the state when compared to magistrates in neighbouring states that receive between N200,000 and N250,000 monthly.

While also demanding for the rehabilitation of magistrate courts across the state, the association further condemned the government for none provision of official vehicles to it members.

It further demanded immediate implementation of promotion and regularisation of magistrates in the state with necessary financial benefits across all cadres as well as the implementation of all accrued arrears.

Niger Delta

NSCDC Holds Walk Against National Assets Vandalism In Edo

Published

3 days ago

December 13, 2024

The Tide

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Edo State has staged a walk to educate the public on the importance of protecting national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised.

State Commandant of the NSCDC, Mr Gbenga Agun, who led the sensitisation walk, said it was meant to intimate the public of its role in ensuring the protection of the assets at all levels.

“It is to sensitise the people on the importance of guiding our properties, that is, critical national assets and infrastructure from being vandalised”, he said.

Agun noted that protecting national assets was a collective responsibility because it encompassed everyone.

According to him, vandalism can be natural or man-made, and that the economic situation in the country can push some people to engage in destructive activities.

The NSCDC boss, however, encouraged the public to report cases of vandalism at any of the divisional offices in all local governments or the outpost stations.

Also speaking, the Head of Department, Critical National Assets and Infrastructure of the command, Mr Sule Muhammed, called for intelligence sharing on vandalism of any national assets for prompt action.

The Tide’s source reports that the walk, which featured the distribution of leaflets to motorists, shop owners, and passersby, began from the command headquarters at the Blessed Avenue in Benin and covered several major roads in the city.