News
RSG Set To Employ Fresh Teachers In Public Schools
The Rivers State Government says that plans have been concluded to employ new teachers to boost the needed teaching manpower in public schools across the state.
The State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, disclosed this during the rescheduled Teachers Day Celebration in the state held at St. Andrews State Primary School, Mile One, Diobu, Port Harcourt, last Tuesday.
The governor, who was represented by the State Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke, described the sacrifices made by teachers as monumental to the development of the society, adding that the teacher’s voice must be heard because of their roles and contributions to societal growth.
He stressed that the new teachers that will be recruited will be purely based on professionalism, adding that the era where names will be written and forwarded to the government for employment is over.
He explained that those to be employed will undergo series of interviews and examinations in order to get the best for the schools.
The governor, however, directed the two Boards: the Senior Secondary School (RSSSB) and the State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) to strengthen their supervision and monitoring policies that will adequately address the issues of laxity and inefficiency in public schools.
Fubara said his administration has done enough to enhance the welfare of teachers through the promotion and payments of arrears, extension of year of service by five years, as well as infrastructure development in the education sector.
“So you must reciprocate the gesture by putting your best and be passionate in what you are doing because very soon there is going to be mass exodus from the private schools to public schools with what we have put on ground. l am happy that one of our teachers was declared the best teacher in the country. This is the story we want to be hearing,” he said.
The governor thanked the teachers for their support to his administration and urged them to continue in that regard.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Education, Dr Ovy Chunedum Chukwuma, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Dr (Mrs) Azibaolanari, Uzoma-Nwogu, said that the theme of the celebration resonates with the state governor’s vision for the education sector in the state.
He disclosed that the state government has embarked on provision of infrastructure, including construction and reconstruction of infrastructure needs to improve the educational system in the state as well as initiating policies like free payment of SSCE examination fees among others.
He said the Ministry was committed to training and retraining of teachers with a view to enhance their professional skills and increase performance and service delivery.
Earlier in his own address, the State Chairman of the Nigeria union of Teachers (NUT), Comrade Collins Ebokwa Echikpu, expressed teachers’ gratitude to the state governor for the implementation of the new minimum wage, promotion of teachers, completion of the union Secretariat and the approval of the five years service extension for professional teachers in the State.
The NUT state boss requested among other things, recruitment of more teachers, payment of imprest to principals and head teachers, payment of duty post and rural allowances to teachers as well as donation of buses to union.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Rivers State University (RSU), Prof Victor A. Akujuru in a lecture titled “Valuing teachers’ voices: A paradigm shift for a new social contract in education”, urged that teachers must be recognised by policy makers as partners in the decision making if the present disconnect between policy and classroom experience is to be avoided.
He also canvassed for inclusion of teachers in any education reforms to enhance national economic development.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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