News

Nchaka Festival: Monarch Drums Support For Oba

Published

12 months ago

December 2, 2024

As the 2024 Nchaka new yam harvesting festival finally drew to a close, a call has gone out to Ogba people in Ogba/ Egbema/ Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State to support and rally round the Oba of Ogbaland, His Majesty Nnam Obi 11 in order to succeed in effectively piloting the affairs of the entire Ogbaland.
The call was made by the Okpurukpuali Paramount Ruler, Eze Christian Obi, who equally extolled the sterling leadership qualities of the first class monarch.
Eze Obi, who made the call at his palace during the celebration of this year’s Nchaka yam festival recently, said the traditional institution in Ogbaland led by His Eminence, Nnam Obi 11, deserves commendation by putting the interest of the ancient people first.
He noted that the people are elated over the positive steps taken by the revered Oba for the good, progress and revival of their cutural heritage.
Eze Obi hinted that every step taken by the Oba has been for the development of the people, stressing that the people are proud being under an Oba who considers the interest of his subjects first.
He said this has necessitated unparalleled socio-economic and cultural advancement of the land.
Eze Obi said the people of Ogba are more united and peaceful now, based on the Oba’s sterling leadership qualities and have decided to stand behind him, wishing him long life and good health, as he reigns on the exalted throne.
“The Oba since ascending the traditional stool has been able to carry everyone along, culminating to the peace being enjoyed by his people. The unity among the people now could be described as the best that has happened to the area, courtesy of the bold steps he has taken so far. We are proud having him as our Oba. The Oba has always preached peace and the unity of the land to everyone at every forum. He considers the peace and unity of Ogba first, which is the hallmark of a true King who means well for his people,” he said.
He advised the people not to throw away their cultural values as bequeathed to them by their forebears.
Eze Obi, however, commended the Oba for his recent visit to Usomini-cum Obor Kingdom, adding that the visit has engendered peace among the people.
He said the Oba’ s royal visit has been able to broker peace among the warring factions in the area, and urged the people to abide by the decision of the Oba in the interest of peace and progress.
Meanwhile, Eze Nwokoji Ikechukwu, the Ochi Ohna 1 of Ogwu Ogba Land, said the 2024 Nchaka festival has ushered in uncommon development in the area.
Eze Ikechukwu described the new yam celebration among Ogba people as significant, stressing that the preservation and importance of culture cannot be over-emphasised.
EzeNwokoji applauded the Oba for his efforts to unity the people through cultural heritage
On his part, Eze Vincent Eboh said the people are appreciative to God for making this year’s festival a reality.
He noted that the Nchaka festival is aimed at thanking God for making it possible for the people to see yet another harvesting season in their lives.

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

3 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.