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Wike Charges NCE On Functional Education
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has called on members of the National Council on Education (NCE) to make the nation’s educational system functional and self-reliant through positive policies that would enhance the education sector.
The governor added that making the education self-reliant was the only way to bring true freedom to the nations’ prosperity.
Wike made the call, last Monday, while declaring open a five-day technical session at the ongoing 64th meeting of the National Council on Education (NCE) holding at Dr Obi Wali International Conference Centre in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo, the governor, who said that he believed in the power of education as a catalyst for social change to foster prosperity and development, explained his unreserved commitment to ensuring the delivery of quality education to all and sundry across the state.
He described the theme of the 64th NCE meeting “Education For Self-Reliance, A Tool For The Achievement Of Education 2030 Agenda”, as very apt, adding that it was relevant to the NEW Rivers Vision of his administration.
The governor said, “As policy makers, we have a responsibility to make education functional for our children.
“As a government, we have constructed, renovated, and upgraded several schools; we have streamlined the process of private participation in the provision of quality, inclusive and equitable education delivery.
“Above all, in providing dividends of good governance to our people, this present administration is guided by the vision that except we make education functional and relevant to the needs of the individual, the prosperity of the future cannot be feasible”, he stated
The state chief executive used the opportunity to remind the delegates of their crucial role to transform the educational sector, adding that as technocrats, the decision of any government depended on their advice.
In his address, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Architect Sonny Echono said the Federal Government has through the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) issued certificates to 70 newly-approved private Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions to increase access to technical education as well as provide alternative route to higher education to advance technology and science development in the country.
Echono averred that the effort was geared towards shaping responsible and accountable citizens in the community, which was consistent with the national developmental objectives as articulated in the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERCP) as well as Ministerial Strategic Plan (MSP) of President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
According to him, the present administration has exhibited not only political will, but also committed the required resources towards guaranteeing functional education and life-long learning through establishment of more centres for adult education, Federal Science and Technical Colleges (FSTCs) and polytechnics.
“The implications of establishing additional public polytechnics and issuing licence to private polytechnics as well as Innovative Enterprise Institutions (IEIs) is that future graduates will create wealth and employment which shall alleviate poverty and enhance the ability of citizens to sustain themselves”, he stated.
The permanent secretary opined that the importance of education for self-reliance cannot be over-emphasized.
Earlier in his address, the Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Education, Mr Dagogo Adonye Hart, had said the educational goal of the government was to provide quality education at all levels and achieve improved learning outcomes for children in the state, adding that the government has taken systematic steps towards increasing the tempo to ensure the delivery of inclusive, equitable and quality education, through the provision of resources, infrastructure and competent teachers needed to increase learning in line with global best practices.
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.