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Education, Our Priority –Amaechi
Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, says the current investment in education by the State is the highest in the country while the increase in the budgetary allocation to education from 5 percent to 19 percent shows the seriousness his administration attaches to the wellbeing of children.
Governor Amaechi made these disclosures yesterday during the Interdenominational Church Service to mark the 2010 Children’s Day Celebration at St. Paul’s Cathedral, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Represented by his deputy, Engr. Tele Ikuru, at the event where the first and second lessons were read by Master Joseph Treasure of Model Secondary School, GRA and Miss Jessica Osiago of The Light Secondary School, Borokiri, all in Port Harcourt, Governor Amaechi listed the ratification of the Child Right’s Act, payment of primary school teachers’ salaries, construction of 130 new primary schools equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, training and retraining of teachers, provision of educational resources, among others, as his administration’s contribution to “better the educational lot of our children” .
He urged the clergy to do more to arrest the moral decadence in the society, saying “our society is at the brink and unless we begin to reorganize ourselves, our future will be bleak; our children must be made to know that they are the future and they have a responsibility towards the future”.
The State Chief Executive called on parents, religious leaders and other members of the society to engage in activities aimed at guiding and correcting the children, emphasizing that “if parents get it wrong, definitely the child will grow up to become a misfit in the society”.
In his sermon, Arch Bishop of the Ecclesiastical Province of the Niger Delta, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Reverend Ignatius Kattey, dwelling on the theme of the celebration “Partnering for Improved Nutrition for Mother and Child” and quoting from Proverbs 22: 6, enjoined teachers to be dedicated to their duties and shun vices that could hamper the proper upbringing of children.
The clergy lamented that “in the Niger Delta, most of the nutrients and minerals in foods critical to the good health and proper development of our children have been destroyed because of environmental and industrial effluent discharge and spillage by the oil companies”.
He called on the nation’s leaders to prepare the children to take over from the present generation, stressing that each child should be given equal opportunity, noting that “gone are the days when the girl child was discriminated against, saying “such attitude must stop”. .
Dignitaries at the service include the Deputy Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Dum Deekor, member representing Port Harcourt federal constituency at the House of Representatives, Hon. Ike Chinwo, members of the State Executive Council, first Military Governor of old Rivers State and Amanyanabo of Twon Brass, HRM King Alfred Diete-Spiff and his wife, Eze Apara Rebisi and Paramount Ruler of Port Harcourt, HRM King Sunday Woluchem and his wife, and other traditional rulers, Bishop of the Niger Delta, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Bishop Raphael Ebirien, among other dignitaries.
News
NPF Warn Applicants Ahead Of Constable Recruitment Exam
The Katsina State Police Command has cautioned applicants for the upcoming police constable recruitment examination to adhere strictly to laid-down procedures and avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The Commissioner of Police, Ali Umar-Fage, issued the warning in a statement released on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu.
He disclosed that the nationwide examination is scheduled to take place from April 28 to April 30 in Katsina State and that the exercise will be conducted at Hassan Usman Katsina Polytechnic along Dutsin-Ma Road.
According to the commissioner, only candidates who successfully passed the recently concluded physical and credential screening will be eligible to sit for the examination.
Applicants have been directed to log on to the official recruitment portal from April 24 to print their coloured examination invitation slips, which contain details of their specific date, time, and venue.
Mr Umar-Fage stated that candidates must present a valid National Identification Number (NIN) slip issued by the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC), bearing a clear photograph, alongside their printed coloured invitation slip and a writing pen at the examination centre.
He added that the approved dress code for the exercise is a white T-shirt, white shorts, and white canvas shoes.
Reiterating that the recruitment process is entirely free of charge, the police chief warned applicants to be wary of individuals or groups seeking to extort money under the guise of facilitating recruitment.
News
Monarch Pledges Strong Action Against Gender-Based Violence
The Rivers State Traditional Rulers Council has pledged to take decisive action to curb the rising cases of gender-based violence (GBV) across the state, in partnership with ActionAid and other relevant organisations.
The commitment was made during an event organised by ActionAid in collaboration with the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation in Port Harcourt. The programme, titled “Convening of Traditional Rulers for GBV Prevention,” carried the theme, “From Custodians to Champions: Redefining Culture for GBV Prevention and Community Protection.”
Speaking on behalf of the council, the Okilomuibe of Engenni Kingdom, HRM King Moore MacLean Ubuo, said traditional rulers are determined to move beyond mere responses to incidents of violence by adopting proactive strategies.
“We will establish and empower community-led structures, including traditional cabinets and women leaders, to identify early warning signs of violence and intervene before harm occurs,” he said.
King Ubuo added that traditional institutions are committed to enforcing the Violence Against Persons Prohibition (VAPP) Law within their domains, stressing that the longstanding culture of silence surrounding abuse would no longer be tolerated.
“We will ensure that our subjects understand their rights and that the law is respected as the ultimate standard for justice,” he added.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Government emphasised that tackling GBV requires more than policies and enforcement, noting that a transformation in societal attitudes is essential.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation, Mrs. Lauretta Dimkpa, who was represented by the Director of Child Welfare, Mrs. Fumilayo Adebayo, highlighted the critical role of traditional rulers in shaping societal values.
“As traditional rulers, your voices command respect, your decisions influence behaviour, and your institutions are trusted platforms for conflict resolution and social guidance,” she said.
She urged them to promote cultural norms that uphold dignity, respect, and equality, while also encouraging victims to report abuse without fear of stigma.
In his remarks, the Country Director of ActionAid Nigeria, Dr. Andrew Mamedu, described the gathering as timely, noting that GBV remains a widespread violation of human rights and a major obstacle to sustainable development.
Represented by Dr. Adedeji Ademefun, he cited data showing that 31 per cent of Nigerian women aged 15 to 49 have experienced physical violence, with many cases going unreported due to fear, stigma, and cultural silence.
“National surveys indicate that nearly three in ten women have experienced physical or sexual violence, underscoring the scale and urgency of this crisis,” he said.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholders Action Committee, Barrister Evelyn Asimie Membere, described GBV as one of the most persistent human rights violations, cutting across age, class, and geography.
According to her, traditional rulers are uniquely positioned to influence behaviour and drive meaningful change at the grassroots level.
“In many of our communities, your voice carries more weight than any policy or legislation,” she said.
The event brought together key stakeholders committed to strengthening community-based approaches to preventing GBV and protecting vulnerable groups across Rivers State.
News
Tinubu Support Group Canvasses Second Term For President Ahead Of 2027
A socio-political group, the Tinubu Youths Vanguard Organisation (TYVO), Rivers State chapter, has called on Nigerians to support the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2027, citing the need to consolidate ongoing economic and infrastructural reforms.
The State Coordinator of the group, Hon. Emmanuel Fubara, made the appeal over the weekend in Port Harcourt on the sidelines of a meeting of the Southern Traditional Rulers Council.
He said granting the Tinubu administration a second term would enable it to fully implement its transformation agenda, particularly under the Renewed Hope initiative.
“It is important that the Tinubu administration is given another opportunity to complete its economic and developmental programmes for the benefit of the country,” he stated.
Fubara disclosed that the group is preparing for its formal inauguration in the State, along with the unveiling of its local government, ward and unit structures, including student and market women wings.
According to him, the organization will be fully mobilised to promote the policies and achievements of the current administration, with a focus on issue-based campaigns aimed at restoring public confidence in the nation’s economy.
He noted that the administration has made strides in revamping the economy and executing key infrastructure projects, including the ongoing coastal road development in parts of the country.
Fubara expressed confidence that the group’s campaign strategies would resonate with Nigerians, adding that opposition voices would be effectively countered through sustained grassroots engagement.
He also urged members of the group to intensify sensitisation efforts across communities, highlighting what he described as visible results of the administration’s reforms.
On security challenges facing the country, Fubara said the situation was inherited from previous administrations but maintained that the current government is taking decisive steps to address it.
He expressed optimism that ongoing efforts, including international collaborations, would significantly curb insecurity in the near future.
When asked whether the group would also campaign for Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the TYVO coordinator said the organisation would take a position at the appropriate time, noting that directives from the All Progressives Congress (APC) would guide its activities.
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