News
Udom Explains Sack Of 5,000 Teachers
The Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom has said that the state government took the decision to terminate the employment of 5,000 teachers because it considered the interest and future of majority of the people of the state as a priority.
The governor said this while giving clear explanation on why the government took the decision in view of a plethora of misconceived positions, especially of opposition parties and individuals on the issue.
“We have read a plethora of analysis- most patently skewed to fit certain pre-conceived political narratives or to score some fleeting political points concerning the issue of the 5,000 ‘teachers’ whose flawed and fraudulent letters of appointment the state government had rightly terminated, and we wish to again, set the record straight on the issues,” Udom stated.
“We wish to inform the members of the public, especially those who were affected by the exercise, that government would have had no reason to terminate their appointments, if the exercise had been carried out properly and in strict accordance with the laid down rules and procedures.
“There is no responsible government anywhere in the world that will fold its arms and allow crooks, scammers and con-artistes to organize a process that would produce those whose job it is, to teach our children; those who would shape their future, their moral foundation and provide them the needed foundational skills that would enable them compete for the jobs of the 21st century.
“It bears repeating here the majority of the ‘teachers’ did not possess even secondary school education certificates, but had conveniently gone to the black-market to obtain various university degrees to give legitimacy to their pursuits.
“Those ‘qualifications’ upon further review were seen to have been fake, as the universities they purported to have attended did not have records of such students or ever awarding such degrees. The records were carefully scrutinized and they all turned out to be fraudulent. Which government will allow such a fraudulent exercise to stand?,” Udom asked.
The governor assured that the recruitment exercise would be thrown open soon, and advised all those who have the required qualifications among the 5,000 to feel free to re-apply, saying that priority will be given to them, provided they have the right qualifications.
“Government is not about sentiments, and we should resist the narrow impulse to play politics with education which directly impacts our children’s future,” he warned.
“We may have political disagreements or belong to different political camps, which is healthy in a democracy, but we should never play politics with the future of our children, they are our treasure, our future and our hope, the reason why this government places high premium on their growth and development,” Udom added.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has begun the celebration of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary with a Juma’at service where prayers were offered for the progress of the state and Nigeria.
Governor Fubara, who advocated for peace and unity of Nigeria during the prayers on Friday at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt, indicated that without peace, the accelerated development of Nigeria will remain in a limbo.
Governor Fubara, who was represented by Alhaji Abdurrazaq Diepriye, therefore urged citizens to remain patriotic.
According to him, “Allah has brought us this far. Without peace, we can not have progress and economic development. I call on all citizens irrespective of creed or tribe to remain patriotic.”
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for restoring peace in Rivers State while also using the forum to appreciate security agencies for their relentless effort in upholding the peace and unity of Rivers State and Nigeria.
The Chief Imam of Rivers State Central Mosque, Imam Ibrahim Yaloo, admonished Moslem faithful to always speak the truth, adding that those who obey Allah will be directed to good deeds and their sins forgiven.
Prayers were offered for Rivers State and Nigeria.
Other activities to mark the 65th Independence anniversary in the state include an Inter-denominational Church Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, 28th September and Parade Ceremony on Wednesday, 1st October.
Vice-President Kashim Shettima departed New York on Sunday after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly.
In a statement released on Sunday by the VP media aide, Stanley Nkwocha, the Vice President is now headed to Germany, where he will hold strategic meetings with officials of Deutsche Bank.
The statement read, “Vice President Kashim Shettima has departed New York, United States, after successfully representing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.
“During his participation at UNGA 80, VP Shettima secured UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ commendation for Nigeria’s bid for a permanent UN Security Council seat.
“He also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunity to global investors and strengthened strategic partnerships with the UK on trade, defence, and migration issues.”
Nkwocha added that the VP delivered Tinubu’s national statement, calling for UN reforms and a permanent seat for Nigeria at the UN Security Council, and “demanded Africa’s control over its $700 billion mineral wealth, and digital inclusion initiatives.”
“He also engaged with the Gates Foundation on healthcare and education expansion, positioning Nigeria as the natural hub for the African Continental Free Trade Area’s $3.4 trillion market.
“VP Shettima was seen off at John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, by cabinet Ministers who were part of the UNGA 80 delegation and Nigerian Mission officials.”
The aide noted that Shettima will return to Nigeria immediately after his engagements in Germany.
The Tide source recalls that the VP departed Abuja, yesterday.
He led other Nigerian officials at the Assembly.
As part of Nigeria’s 65th Independence anniversary celebration, the Federal Government held a special thanksgiving service on Sunday at the National Ecumenical Centre in Abuja to offer prayers and give thanks for the nation.
The event drew top government officials and security chiefs, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, as well as their spouses.
Other notable guests included Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy Wale Edun, former Plateau State Governor, Senator Simon Lalong, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, who led the service chiefs in attendance.
Service chiefs present included the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Emmanuel Ogala, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, Comptroller-General of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Mrs Kemi Nandap and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Nwakuche, among others.00
The service came days after the government unveiled the official theme and some of the activities slated for the 2025 Independence celebrations.
This year’s anniversary is tagged “Nigeria @ 65: All Hands on Deck for a Greater Nation,” as announced by the Director of Information and Public Relations at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, in a statement on Wednesday.
“As part of activities to mark the 65th Independence Anniversary, the Juma’at Prayer and the Inter-Denominational Church Service will be held on Friday, 26th September at 1 pm and Sunday, 28th September at 10 am respectively, as well as the World Press Conference on Monday, 29th September at 10 am,” he said.
The Tide source had earlier reported that President Bola Tinubu, alongside former Heads of State, Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, is expected as a special guest at a national discourse convened by the Island Club, Lagos, to mark Nigeria’s 65th Independence Anniversary.
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