Rivers
79th IAUE Inaugural Lecture: Prof Anero Advoctes Tuition-Free Education For Children
A Professor of Child Education, Nnamdi Anero, has advocated for a tuition-free schooling for Nigerian children to enable them acquire basic childhood education.
Speaking while delivering the 79th inaugural Lecture of the Ignatius University of Education (IAUE) recently at the University’s auditorium, Prof. Anero stressed the need for all hands to be on deck to resolve the issues bedeviling the childhood education system in the country.
Anero, who spoke on the topic “Quadriform Catalytic Measures: A Framework for the Ideal Childhood Education System”, also recommended that Government should institute a Childhood Education Commission with membership drawn from the core childhood professionals and practitioners.
He said the responsibility of the commission should include to source funds from individuals, companies, local and international agencies to feed and pay stipends to children in school and ensure school -child proximity.
The commission, he further stated, would ensure the arrest and prosecution of parents who refuse to send their children to school as well as to enforce child birth registration and provide all personal school needs of the child.
Prof. Anero also suggested that the funds put into the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) by Government should be re-channelled to childhood education system because higher education is almost self-financing .
He argued that if the funds are plugged into childhood education system, it can help to pay stipends and feed children in school, establish more schools, enforce childhood school attendance policies, child birth related matters and other issues that can usher an ideal childhood school system in Nigeria.
The one time Director of the University Bookshop and Printing Press called on old boys and girls of schools, companies, diaspora members of communities, Government agencies, philanthropic organizations, individuals and other stakeholders to conceive programmes or projects to embark upon to promote childhood education within their localities so that no child is left without acquiring basic childhood education.
He suggested that the funds for facility maintenance, which is one of the many problems confronting childhood education when provided, should be handed over to the school Heads who are the day-to-day administrators of the facilities and who must provide evidence of how much such funds are used for the purpose for which it was voted for.
This approach, he explained, is better than making them just reporting Officers who report events to the ministries and boards.
According to him, the boards or ministries do not intervene immediately and the idea of reporting and waiting for the agencies to attend to the problems account for the prolonged neglect of some problems that impede smooth flow of the system.
The Etche-born Professor hinted that since the absence of the teacher implies the halt of school’s daily activities, the management agencies need to provide accommodation, health services and other services within the school premises so that the teachers would not have excuses for non-arrival or late-arrival to schools.
This measure, he stated, would enable the teachers to cope with their day-to-day activities and promote the attainment of educational goals.
In his speech, the Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, praised the Professor of Childhood Education for the lecture and urged all to address the four reference points highlighted as the basic things that the learner, the school and the teacher would beed to resolve as problems of Childhood Education.
In a vote of thanks, Professor Goddey Wilson expressed gratitude to staff, guests, music department and the wife of the inaugural lecturer for roles played in ensuring the success of the lecture.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
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Antenatal care and immunization services recorded high patronage during the just-concluded Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Week as residents in various communities across Port Harcourt took advantage of the free healthcare interventions.
The exercise, which was aimed at improving maternal and child well-being, attracted women, caregivers and children to different health facilities where a range of free healthcare services were provided.
Findings from selected health centres visited during the exercise showed encouraging participation by beneficiaries despite a few operational challenges experienced by health workers.
At Ozuboko Health Centre, the doctor in charge, Dr. Flag Amachree, said the facility recorded a good turnout throughout the exercise.
The Tide gathered that the team of immunization officers embarked on outreach immunization activities to schools to ensure that more children benefited from the programme.
She, however, identified inadequate supplies of deworming tablets as a challenge, noting that available stocks were being carefully managed to meet demands.
One of the beneficiaries, Emmanuella Edwin, who visited the facility for antenatal registration, expressed satisfaction with the services provided by the health workers.
She commended the staff for their dedication, professionalism and friendly disposition, adding that the registration process was stress-free and without any major challenge.
Similarly, Mrs. Esther Abbey said she registered for the free medical services offered during the healthcare week and described the process as smooth and simple.
She added that the programme also created an avenue for her daughter to benefit from immunization services through arrangements by her school.
Another beneficiary, Mrs. Philomena Ezekiel, said she was unable to access the service for her children after she was informed that a National Identification Number (NIN) was required before the test could be carried out.
At Amadi Health Centre, the Medical Officer in charge, Dr. Ebere Ikonwa, attributed the low turnout recorded at the facility to inadequate community mobilization, noting that no town crier was assigned to create awareness.
Despite the situation, she said the facility carried out outreach immunization services successfully and recorded significant patronage in antenatal care and immunization services.
By: Esuuk-Awaji Oyet, Princess Akinyemi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) is set to convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja aimed at strengthening collaboration between the media and security agencies in advancing national stability, public trust and sustainable development.
The summit, scheduled to hold on June 18 and 19, 2026, will bring together key actors in governance, security and the media sector to deliberate on pathways for improved engagement in addressing contemporary national security concerns.
Themed, “Media and Security Agencies as Partners in Nation Building”, the gathering is expected to serve as a strategic platform for dialogue on responsible information management and enhanced institutional cooperation.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Comrade Abimbola Oyetunde, who disclosed this in a statement, said the initiative was conceived as a high-level engagement to deepen understanding between journalists and security operatives in safeguarding the country.
She explained that the summit would provide opportunities for critical conversations on crisis communication, information sharing, conflict reporting and strengthening citizens’ confidence in public institutions.
According to the statement, the event will attract senior government officials, heads of security agencies, media executives, editors, civil society groups and other stakeholders drawn from across the country.
According to the organizers, the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa, and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, will attend as Special Guests of Honour.
The Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, is expected to deliver the keynote address, while the National President of the NUJ, Comrade Alhassan Yahya, will host the summit.
Also expected to chair the occasion is the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris.
The statement noted that the summit comes at a critical period when Nigeria continues to confront evolving security challenges, growing concerns over misinformation and heightened public anxiety over national issues.
It emphasized that structured engagement between the media and security institutions has become imperative in improving crisis communication, reducing panic, combating fake news, and ensuring the dissemination of timely, accurate and responsible information.
Participants at the summit are expected to examine issues such as responsible reporting of security operations and conflict situations, access to credible information and official briefings, management of sensitive information and the safety of journalists covering security-related assignments.
Other areas of focus include countering disinformation, propaganda and hate speech, as well as building mutual trust and professional respect between journalists and security personnel.
The summit will also feature goodwill messages, panel discussions, breakout sessions, experience-sharing by frontline reporters, and interactive engagements with security chiefs before concluding with the adoption of a communiqué and an action framework to guide future collaboration.
The NUJ restated its commitment to press freedom, ethical journalism and promoting national peace, security and democratic governance.
By: King Onunwor
Rivers
Anaka Community Seeks Development, Unity … Advocates Devine Guidance In 2027 Leadership Selection
The Paramount Ruler of Anaka Community in Akpor Clan, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, HRH. Eze Marcus Oriji, has reiterated the kingdom’s commitment to unity, development, and peaceful coexistence among its people.
HRH Oriji, who spoke through his son, Alloy Marcus, in an interview with newsmen in the community, said the community is committed to peace.
He described Anaka as a community known for peace and unity, noting that the kingdom continues to attract visitors and residents because of its welcoming nature.
According to him, while the leadership of the kingdom has recorded progress in various fronts, several challenges still remain.
Anaka Community, he continued, has faced developmental challenges similar to those confronting many communities across the country.
He identified the provision of key infrastructure, including a modern market, schools, healthcare facilities, and a police station, as critical areas requiring attention to enhance the growth and development of the kingdom.
On concerns raised by residents over the poor condition of the road linking St. John’s to Ogbogoro, Eze Marcus commended the Rivers State Government under the leadership of the State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara,ii for commencing work on the Ring Road project, which he described as a significant development for the area.
Marcus explained that Anaka Kingdom stands to benefit from the project and appealed to the government to accelerate construction efforts, particularly on sections connecting St. John’s and other adjoining communities, to ease traffic congestion and improve accessibility.
Expressing optimism about the project’s completion, he said improved road infrastructure would not only enhance movement within the area, but also attract investors, businesses, and visitors to the kingdom.
Commenting on the 2027 general elections, Eze Alloy Marcus called for divine guidance in the selection of leaders, stressing the need for God-fearing individuals who would govern with integrity and commitment to national development.
He also advised young people to shun electoral violence and resist being used by politicians for unlawful activities such as ballot box snatching and election-related disturbances.
He urged youths to play constructive roles in strengthening democracy by supporting free, fair, and peaceful elections.
The royal representative emphasized that sustainable development, improved infrastructure, and peaceful democratic processes remain essential for the continued progress of Anaka Kingdom and Rivers State as a whole.
By: Azubuike Chiwendu, Akpelu Godspower
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