News

PAP Begins Aviation Training For 116 Ex-Agitators

Published

3 years ago

July 22, 2022

The Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) has deployed 116 ex-agitators for training in aircraft engineering, maintenance and other aviation services in line with the Train, Employ and Mentor (TEM) model introduced by its Interim Administrator, Col. Milland Dixon Dikio (rtd).
A statement signed by Dikio’s Special Adviser, Media, Nneotaobase Egbe, said the benefitting ex-agitators had already commenced Basic Orientation Course (BOC) in Lagos to prepare their minds for the specialised training.
The latest deployment increased the number of ex-agitators sent to various sectors to acquire professional skills for employment and entrepreneurship to 1,250.
Dikio, who spoke at the orientation camp, told the ex-agitators that the aviation industry remained critical and lucrative to the economy.
He urged the beneficiaries, including members of impacted communities in the Niger Delta, to utilise the opportunity as a privilege to secure better future.
Addressing the beneficiaries, Dikio said: “You are the first batch to revamp the aviation training. I want you to take it seriously because a lot has been put in to justify revamping this programme. I hope that by the time you finish the boot camp all of you will make it. However, it all depends on you. You must be determined.
“Flying is about soaring above mediocrity that should be a metaphor for your motivation. Flying is a precise profession; there is no room for half measures. As we say in the military, there is no packing space in the air. There is no space for second best.
“In the aviation industry there is no room for mistakes. Failure is not an option; make that your life motto because a lot of people are depending on you to succeed”.
Dikio said the training was designed to develop manpower in the Niger Delta, and called on the beneficiaries to remain focused, dedicated and teachable.
He said ex-agitators should seize the opportunity to become solution providers to enable the region catch up with other parts of the country and the world.
The amnesty boss acknowledged that the aviation industry boasts of many services and anyone who was focused and determined, including the PAP delegates, can carve a niche for himself.
He said: “The whole essence of this programme is for manpower development in the Niger Delta. As delegates your responsibilities are to be obedient, stay focused and be dedicated. Learn to grow and have a teachable spirit.
“You should be solution providers so that we can catch up with the other parts of Nigeria and the world at large. This is a privilege and not a right, it can be taken.
“The era of entitlement in the Niger Delta is over. It is in your own best interest to cooperate with your instructors. Your instructors will teach you how to compete with the rest of the world.
“There are many areas in this sector; every one doesn’t have to be a pilot. There are aircraft maintenance engineers, traffic controllers and other ancillary services.
“Keep your eyes on the prize. Your future is at stake; your family name is at stake and in fact your children’s children. We love you and want you to be the best. We trust that can. Always remember that there is no second place best in this business”.

By: Akujobi Amadi

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

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”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

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

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

5 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

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.