Niger Delta
School Wins Maiden C’ River Interschool Academic Challenge
Government Secondary School, Adiabor in Odukpani Local Government Area (LGA) of Cross River State has won the maiden Cross River Students’ Academic-Thon Challenge (CRISSAC).
The competition, which commenced on May 17 with 296 secondary schools in the 18 LGAs of the state, saw the victors move through the LG to zonal stages where only three schools, each representing a senatorial district, competed at the grand finale in Arts and Sciences subjects.
The Tide’s sourcel, reports that the colourful grand finale, which held in Calabar on Tuesday, saw the best student of the competition, Master Eminence Emmanuel, go home with N1 million worth of scholarship grant.
His school, which was the winning school, got N2 million worth of project grant from the government of Cross River State, while each of the six finalists at the grand finale went home with a brand new laptop.
Speaking during the event, he state Governor, Bassey Otu, said the idea of the initiative was to identify students who were talented and build on their talents.
Otu, represented by the Special Adviser to the Governor on General Duties, Mr. Ekpenyong Akiba, said the determination shown by the students in the challenge was important.
“This is because when a young mind is educated, he or she is liberated from enormous challenges which include poverty and other delinquencies.
“It is only an educated youth that can lead other youths effectively.
“As a government, we are sustaining our educational advancement through the general participation of various schools and students in a competition manner”, he said.
Similarly, the Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Advocacy, Dr. Abasiofiok Akpabio, said CRISSAC was more than just a quiz competition but a visionary statement by her office to revive academic excellence in the state.
Akpabio, whose office organised the event, said while they aimed to firmly redirect the focus of students in the state’s public schools, they hoped to discover talents among the children in these schools.
She said they decided to work with the public schools because for many years, public schools have suffered lack of infrastructure, unlike their private counterparts, in spite being filled with highly talented students.
According to her, the ultimate mission of her office in partnership with the Ministry of Education is to ensure that Cross River State is ranked among the top three states in all the Senior School Certificate Examinations.
“Before the end of this administration, we believe that Cross River will be ranked among the top three states in examinations in Nigeria. This is achievable and CRISSAC is a fundamental player in making it a reality.
“While we work to making learning exciting and ensuring dedication to books, we commend the teachers and mentors who are the bedrock of the success that we have achieved thus far”, she said.
A Chemistry Teacher from the winning school who was awarded N500,000 as the best teacher and mentor in the competition, told the source that he was quite elated and grateful to the Governor of Cross River.
Izuka, however, appealed to the organisers to improve on the technical hitches that were experienced and also announce subsequent events early, so the students could prepare.
On his part, the best student of the academic challenge, Emmanuel, an SS 3 student, said he was very excited for the award while urging students to focus on their books and prepare for the next edition of the competition.
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.