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Fubara Lauds Dame Toby’s Contributions To Educational Dev …As Mary Odili Bemoans Scrapping Of Teachers Training Colleges
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has showered encomiums on an educationist and school proprietor, Dame Christie Toby, for her contributions to educational development in the State.
According to a statement by the Head of the Press Unit,Office of the Secretary to the State Government, Juliana Masi, Fubara gave the accolades during the public presentation of the book: Dr. Christie Toby: Touching Lives, Raising Leaders,” in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
The governor who was represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Tammy Danagogo, observed that Dame Toby, who is the wife of former Rivers State Deputy Governor, Sir Gabriel Toby, has lived a remarkable life of passion and selfless service to humanity.
Fubara said, “Your life is a remarkable one. Everything we have seen and heard today present an exemplary life of a teacher, educationist, school proprietor, philanthropist, and so much.
“I must say, one tread that runs through your life which I commend to everyone is the show of passion and selflessness. If you were not passionate and selfless, you would not have been what you are as a teacher.
“It is heartwarming that the author took the time to catalogue your life so that we all can read and better our lives and services to humanity. This is a book I commend everyone to read.”
The governor reiterated that because education is the bedrock of every society, his administration will remain committed to best educational development and practice by grooming teachers in the state.
“Education is one of the cardinal pillars of our administration, and our government will always honour those who have sacrificed their lives selflessly for the pursuit of good education in the State,” he stressed.
To further advance the educational development of the Christie Toby Education Centre, the governor launched the book with N20million.
The Pro-Chancellor and Governing Council Chairman of the Rivers State University, Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, who served as chairman of the book presentation, described Dame Toby as a conscientious teacher, who went through the ranks to become the celebrated teacher she is today.
The retired Justice of the Supreme Court, however, regretted that the foundation laying institutions for teachers –Teachers Training Colleges- in the country were scrapped and has thus allowed infiltration of poorly trained teachers into the classroom.
“When I was told to be chairman of today’s occasion,… I simply saw the opportunity as God’s answer to my internal cry to have the chance to be heard on a government policy …which has made us lose our way in education.
“It is providential that I use the book presentation of this erudite scholar and a great lady of many parts as a platform for me to bring to the public domain, a missing link in our progress as a people to nurture the present and future generations… I do not know what informed the authorities to phase out the teacher training colleges. That is why we are now presented with some half-baked teachers who have very high degrees and academic qualifications but without a foundational base to properly teach our young ones. That faulty foundation is what has led us to the situation we know find ourselves where untrained persons are now training our future leaders in all spheres of life,” she stressed.
She further called on the authorities to revisit the reestablishment of teacher training colleges so as to harness the young properly and appropriately.
The book reviewer, Dr. Williams Wodi noted that the book, ‘Dr. Christy Toby Touching Lives, Raising Leaders’, is episodic, which combines ecclesiastical history, ethnography, cultural and political anthropology, psychology, philosophy and sociology that grips the reader from the beginning to end of the narrative.
According to him, “This book is a biographical account of a woman of faith, great moral priority, and courage. The author wonders in divers directions to unearth all aspects of her life. It has characteristically interwoven a narrative that would hold the attention of the reader from end to end. The author masterly beholds Christie Toby as an educationist, philanthropist, civil servant, activist, and a woman of faith who continues to lead a life of service especially to the under-served in a society that continually stricken itself of fellow feelings and empathy that compels us to reach out and touch other lives.”
Several dignitaries, including former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Dr. Tele Ikuru and his wife, former Secretary to Rivers State Government, Dr Abiye Sekibo; serving and past commissioners, traditional rulers, among others also attended the event.
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.