Niger Delta

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

Published

1 year 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

Okpebholo Assures Corps Members Of Improved Welfare

Published

5 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has assured corps members deployed to the state of improved welfare and a supportive service year.

Okpebholo gave the assurance at the swearing-in ceremony of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream I corps members last Friday at the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Permanent Orientation Camp in Okada.

The Governor also reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to youth empowerment, safety and entrepreneurship.

Represented by the Commissioner for Youth Affairs, Mrs. Charity Amayaenvbo, the Governor urged corps members to embrace innovation, community service and self-reliance rather than wait for white-collar jobs.

“Edo is committed to supporting youth empowerment, entrepreneurship and incentives that turn ideas into enterprises.

“Do not wait for jobs, create value. Wherever you are posted, serve your host community with humility, dedication and compassion.

“Have a positive footprint and let your service contribute to unity, productivity and progress,” he said.

Okpebholo assured the corps members that the state government was attentive to their welfare and had started addressing key concerns raised by the NYSC leadership.

“On behalf of the state government, I assure you of our support in terms of safety, an enabling environment and a rewarding service year.

“I listened carefully to the requests highlighted by the state coordinator, and I am glad to inform you that some of them have already been captured in the 2026 budget, which has been approved and signed into law,” he said.

The Governor noted that provisions for accommodation, meal subsidies, logistics and the construction of a multipurpose hall at the camp were included in the budget.

Earlier in her address, the Edo State Coordinator of the NYSC, Dr. Frances Ben-Ushie, described the ceremony as a reflection of the state government’s commitment to youth development and national integration.

Ben-Ushie said as of midnight on Thursday, a total of 1,235 prospective corps members, comprising 531 males and over 700 females, had been duly registered.

She congratulated the corps members on their enlistment into what she described as a “noble scheme,” urging them to embrace discipline, learning and active participation throughout the orientation course.

“The NYSC platform provides a unique avenue to meet people from diverse backgrounds, build lifelong friendships and create networks that can open doors to greater opportunities,” she said.

Ben-Ushie also highlighted the contributions of the NYSC to the state’s development, noting that the scheme had consistently provided skilled manpower, promoted labour mobility and strengthened national unity.

She cited initiatives such as the Health Initiative for Rural Dwellers and the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development programme as key interventions benefiting communities across the state.

The NYSC coordinator commended the state government for its support, including the provision of buses for corps members, and appealed for further intervention to address lingering operational challenges at the orientation camp.

She expressed confidence that resolving the issues would enhance the effectiveness of NYSC programmes in the state and thanked the Governor for prioritising the welfare, security and growth of corps members.

Niger Delta

PDP Declares Edo Airline’s Plan As Misplaced Priority

Published

6 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

The Edo chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned the state government’s reported plan to establish a state-owned airline.

The party, in a statement by its Edo State Publicity Secretary, Mr. Dan Osa-Ogbegie, described the proposal as a misplaced priority and evidence of poor, disconnected governance.

The Tide’s source reports that the State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, unveiled the airline plan during a meeting with Aviation Minister, Mr. Festus Keyamo, in Abuja.

Osa-Ogbegie said the proposal showed a government out of touch with the pressing challenges confronting Edo State residents.

“At a time of decaying infrastructure and stalled projects, establishing an airline is unrealistic and profoundly insensitive”, he said.

He argued that airlines were capital-intensive and technically demanding, noting that similar state-owned ventures in Nigeria had largely failed.

According to him, Benin has become a shadow of what a modern state capital should be.

He decried poor roads, collapsed urban planning, neglected drainage systems and weak municipal services across the state capital.

“This is a crying shame for a city of Benin’s history, heritage and enormous potential”, he said.

Osa-Ogbegie said several inherited projects had stalled or deteriorated, eroding investor confidence and undermining economic growth.

He accused the governor of pursuing “white elephant projects that offer optics without substance.”

He also cited ongoing flyover projects in parts of Benin as examples of poor prioritisation.

Against this background, he described the airline proposal as diversionary and lacking economic sense.

“When roads are barely motorable and services overstretched, proposing an airline betrays an absence of judgment,” he said.

He urged the government to abandon the plan and focus on people-centred priorities that would improve living conditions and spur growth.

“Edo does not need an airline to fly above its problems. It needs a government ready to confront them on the ground,” he said.

He warned that failure to refocus would deepen perceptions of an administration lacking direction, competence and a coherent development agenda.

Niger Delta

Students Protest Non-indigene Appointment As Rector in C’River

Published

6 hours ago

January 28, 2026

The Tide

Students of Federal Polytechnic, Ugep, Cross River State, have protested to the Governor’s Office in Calabar over an alleged plan to appoint a non-indigene as Rector for the institution.

Carrying placards with various inscriptions, the students demanded respect for catchment area policy, local content, and the appointment of an indigene of the state as Rector of the institution.

Speaking on behalf of the students in Calabar, Stephen Etem said the protest sought to alert the Federal and Cross River State Governments to an alleged deviation from the established rectorial selection process.

Etem said a Governing Council, chaired by Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa, was constituted by the Federal Government to conduct the Rector selection exercise.

“The screening, which began last year, reportedly produced a Cross River State indigene as highest scorer and recommended candidate.

“Information available to us suggests that the alleged recommended candidate’s name might be substituted at the Federal Ministry of Education.

“We urge the Federal Government to uphold the council’s recommendation because altering the process could threaten peace in the institution,” he noted.

Responding at the Government House, Mr. Goddie Akpama, the Special Adviser on Intelligence to the State Governor, Bassey Otu, appealed for calm, saying the Governor was away but would be briefed.

Akpama advised the students to submit written petitions through appropriate channels, avoid inflammatory language, and engage authorities to ensure stability and uninterrupted academic activities.