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COVID-19: Rivers Traditional Rulers Fault FG’s Task Force On Movement Of Essential Items
The Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers have expressed concerns over the setting up of the Joint Technical Task Force on Agricultural Products, Livestock, Machinery, Goods and Services, by the Inspector General Police (IGP), at the instance of the Federal Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Defence, Environment, and security agencies.
This development, which, in the face of the current border lockdown imposed by the Federal Government, gives the Task Force power to ensure free and unhindered movement of food, livestock, agricultural input, etc., without the involvement of the State Government, they stated, portends danger for the people of Rivers State.
Making the fears of the Traditional Rulers known in a Press conference, the Chairman of the State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Majesty, King Jaja of Opobo, King (Dr) Dandeson Douglas Jaja, Jeki V, Treaty King, Amanyanabo and Natural Ruler of Opobo, said the development portends an influx of people whose COVID-19 status and purpose are not known into the State.
This, he stated, is against the dictates of the Constitution of the country, which explicitly makes the Governor of the State the Chief Security Officer “with full responsibility to protect lives and properties of the people and residents therein”.
Recalling that it was based on fears expressed recently on the vulnerability of the inter-state borders by the National Assembly that various State Governors acted promptly by taking measures to protect their States from possible importation and exportation of COVID-19, the Traditional Rulers questioned the rationale behind the decision to commence the work of the Task Force in the State.
“Why should the Joint Technical Task Force begin with Rivers State and to the exclusion of the Government of Rivers State, while the Presidential ban in order to check COVID-19 pandemic is in force?
“How much agricultural activities requiring large scale input including livestock are located in Rivers State? Why is Rivers State being singled out for pollution and annahilation by the possibility of the excallation of COVID-19 pandemic?
“Why would the Inspector General of Police set up such a task force without the knowledge, collaboration, participation, and consultation of the Rivers State Government?
“Is the Technical Task Force backed by any law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria outside the Constitution? What is the motive of this isolation policy directive, which we believe lacks any legal or constructional back”, he said.
Consequently, King Jaja said, “we fear that the action of the IGP is a threat to the healthy existence of our people in this period of COVID-19 pandemic as there is no guarantee that these trucks will not also carry passengers whose identities, nationalities, missions, health status, and pedigrees will be inimical and dangerous to our people.
“We fear that even if the intention was to ensure movement of food, livestock and agricultural equipment, the process could also encourage massive influx of possible bandits, terrorists, and COVID-19 infected persons to endanger the lives of our people”, he stated.
He therefore urged President Buhari to intervene by reversing the order of the IGP.
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A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.
Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.
He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.
He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.
According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.
“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”
Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.
The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.
The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.
This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies
The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.
He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.
Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.
“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.
“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.
On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.
Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.
He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.
Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo
Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.
He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.
He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.
According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.
Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.
She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa
The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.
The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.
Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee
highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.
“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.
Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.
The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.
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