Niger Delta

Bayelsa NUT Tasks Communities On School Reopening

Published

5 years ago

August 24, 2020

The Nigeria Union of Teachers,NUT, Bayelsa State wing, has commended the state government’s efforts in the reopening of schools across the state.
The state’s NUT Chairman, Comrade Kala-Ama Tonpre, gave the commendation recently in Yenagoa while relaying his findings as a member of the state school reopening committee shortly after their tour to monitor level of compliance by schools in the state.
Tonpre hinted that eleven public schools in different parts of the state had been fumigated in line with NCDC guidelines,restating the commitment of the NUT to partner the state government in ensuring qualitative education and conducive learning environment for students.
He noted that though the state government would have loved to carry out the fumigation exercise in all public primary and secondary schools before the reopening, the committee chose to commence the exercise with the eleven state owned boarding schools across the eight local government areas of the state, following their status as special schools.
The NUT boss, who charged communities to compliment government’s drive towards ensuring safe reopening of schools, mentioned that there are a total of 192 public secondary and 547 public primary schools in the state, saying host communities of some of the schools should also mobilize their members for self- help reopening preparations in terms of fumigation and provision of some of the kits needed in the schools for the prevention of the spread of the novel covid-19 virus.
“Apart from fumigation, the government has provided soap, buckets, face masks and other PPEs for our public schools. Some communities can also help in providing the ones they can to compliment government efforts”, he said.
He stated that while the local government school reopening committees were monitoring compliance in their respective areas, the state central committee at the weekend monitored compliance in six secondary schools within Yenagoa metropolis, the state capital,saying the NUT and other members of the committee were satisfied with the level of compliance by the monitored schools, comprising public and private.
“This weekend we monitored level of reopening compliance in six secondary schools in Yenagoa.We saw them complying with the state government’s Covid-19 prevention protocols”, he noted.
“The government’s rule is that no class should take more than 15 students. We’re at BDGS, Yenagoa, St Jude’s Girls Secondary School also in Yenagoa and CSS Biogbolo.These three are public secondary schools. But we’re also in Teto School, Ala Montessori and Tari Pet which are private schools.We’re impressed with the level of compliance”, he added.

By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells

Niger Delta

Uyo High Court Awards Damages To Masquerade Over Arrest

Published

6 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

A High Court in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, has awarded damages to a masquerade who was arrested by the State Police Command for allegedly disturbing public peace during traditional worship rites.

The arrest followed an executive order reportedly issued by the State Governor, directing the Commissioner of Police to detain any masquerade seen performing during the Yuletide period.

Acting on this directive, a masquerade, identified as Mr. Effiong, a practitioner of traditional worship, was arrested and subsequently charged to court.

In a landmark ruling, the court sided with Mr. Effiong and his custodian, affirming that Ekpo, a recognised traditional religious practice in Akwa Ibom State, is protected under the law, and that its adherents are entitled to the fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.

The judge held that Mr. Effiong’s arrest and detention violated his rights to personal liberty and freedom of religion.

The court ordered his immediate and unconditional release and directed the Akwa Ibom State Government to pay damages for the infringement of his fundamental human rights and freedom of worship.

Human rights experts have hailed the judgment as a significant affirmation of Nigeria’s constitutional protection of traditional religious practices, emphasising the importance of respecting the country’s cultural and religious diversity.

By: Enoch Epelle

Niger Delta

MOSIEND Seeks Water Projects In Buguma From NDDC … Urges RSG To Revamp Fish Farm

Published

6 days ago

December 8, 2025

The Tide

The Movement for the Survival of the Izon Ethnic Nationality in the Niger Delta (MOSIEND) has called on the Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to embark on water projects in Buguma city in Asari Toru Local Government Area (ASALGA), Rivers State

The Group also called on the Rivers State government to revamp the Buguma fish farm to create employment for the teeming youths.

On the water project in Buguma, MOSIEND said the population of Buguma has increased tremendously and that the residents need more water projects to enhance the daily livelihood of the people.

The Group also appealed to the Chairman of the LGA to assist in making the project a reality and also attract more developmental projects to the LGA.

MOSIEND’s Eastern Zonal Coordinator, Half Hour, Comrade Tammy Bruce Longjohn, made the call on a radio programme in Rhythm 93.7fm, “Talk of the Town”.

LongJohn, who made the call alongside the Chairman of MOSIEND in Buguma, Mark Ojuka, and his counterpart in Obuama, Hon. Sandra Owunari, also called on the Management of Nigeria Liquidifed Natural Gas (NLNG) to embark on a free medical outreach in all Kalabari communities to improve their health status.

He appealed to NLNG to award scholarship to indigens of Kalabari communities in tertiary institutions to better their education, noting that the company is doing same in Bonny, while abandoning Kalabari communities

“We need contracts, free medicals, scholarships and employment, including skill acquisition programmes for our teeming youths in Kalabari extractions”, LongJohn stated.

On Security, Mark Ojuka said security in Buguma is at zero level with the help of the Amama soldiers, saying “the city is more peaceful and investor-friendly as the youths of the area have cordial relationship with the security agencies in the area.

“Security is very secured in Buguma clan”

On revamping the Buguma fish farm, he said, “The youths are asking for human capacity building in the area to reduce unemployment.

“The revamping of the Buguma fish farm will also reduce youth violence.”

By: Chinedu Wosu

Niger Delta

Make God Your Anchor To Fulfill Destiny, Cleric Charges Christians … As Jaja Marks 70th Birthday

Published

1 week ago

December 5, 2025

The Tide

The Lead Pastor at Jesus Appointed People’s Bible Church, Ozogbe, Ikwerrengwo-Etche, in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Pastor Promise Nwaelele, has urged Christians to make God the anchor of their lives in whatever position they find themselves, in order to attain the destinies set for them by God.

Pastor Nwaelele, who gave the charge recently in a sermon he preached at the 70th birthday anniversary thanksgiving service of Sir Donald Michael Jaja, a veteran journalist in Rivers State, said this is because any genuine child of God is a permanent target for destabilization and destruction by the devil.

Taking his text from the Bible book of Mark 4:16-17, the preacher stated that fulfilment in life for a child of God required faith, obedience to God’s word, humility and grace to withstand trials and temptations.

According to him, temptations and afflictions are bound to happen in the lives of those who have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior.

“No wonder the Bible said that those that endure till the end shall be saved”, he said.

The Clergyman said God prospers believers who are humble, not proud and conceited, and leads them to destiny fulfilment.

“David said in Psalm 51:17, that the sacrifices acceptable to God are a broken spirit, not an impatient or proud spirit”, the preacher said.

He called on Christians not to allow persecutions and afflictions to sway them from the love and blessings of Jesus Christ.

On his part, Jaja, a seasoned Journalist who retired as an Acting Editor of the Rivers State Government-owned The Tide Newspaper, gave thanks to God for honouring him by giving him the grace of attaining 70 years.

“I cannot capture what the good Lord has done for me in my entire life in this fleeting moment of thanksgiving. But, I know that without Him, I wouldn’t have been who I am today, in all spheres. Therefore, my joy knows no bounds as I give thanks to my creator today, alongside my family. Praise be His holy name”, Jaja said.