Niger Delta
Dickson Releases N250m For WAEC, NECO Exams
Bayelsa State Governor, Mr. Seriake Dickson, has released the sum of N250 million for 25,772 candidates of the state origin who registered for the 2011/2012 secondary school certificate examinations being organised by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and the National Examination Council (NECO).
Governor Dickson’s Senior Special Assistant, Media and Publicity, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, said in a statement that the governor had also approved the immediate payment of N7 million counterpart fund the state was owing the United Nations Children’s Education Fund (UNICEF).
The statement directed heads of schools to stop distracting candidates with issues bordering on financial implications of the external examinations.
He said the burden of paying the fees had been lifted from the shoulders of parents to enable them pay more attention to the academic development of their children.
According to the statement, N42.5 million was used by the government to pay for equipment and materials required by candidates who registered for science practical examinations.
He explained that candidates for science practical examinations were hitherto forced to pay N1,500 each for such equipment and materials.
“It will no longer be reasonable to extort money from the candidates for the sake of science practical examinations. The government will, henceforth, pay the fees to allow candidates to simply concentrate on working hard to pass their examinations”, the statement said.
He noted that the governor’s gesture was in line with the policy thrust of his administration on education adding that he was committed to changing the academic misfortunes of candidates from the state.
He said the government took the decision as part of preliminary measures to address the disturbing incident of mass failure recorded in external examinations.
“This will immediately be followed by addressing the infrastructural needs of pupils and students. We have laid plans for the construction of model schools and provisions of all the required educational materials to enable our youths get busy in capacity building”, he said.
He explained that the N7m counterpart fund was paid to enable the state benefit from its ongoing partnership with UNICEF in the international best practice in education.
He said the partnership required benefitting states to prepare their 10-year Education Strategic Plan and Education Sector Operational Plan to enable them access development funds from donor agencies.
The Tide recalled that the Governor on assumption of duties had declared emergency in the education section, a pronouncement he had now matched with action.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Urban Development and Physical Planning, Rt Hon Evans Bipi, has eulogised Gen Gabriel Asabuja over his recent birthday celebration in Port Harcourt.
Bipi said Asabuja is worth celebrating following his numerous contributions and support to the administration of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.
He described Asabuja as a strong pillar of governance in Rivers State, adding that the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning is happy working with him.
He noted that Asabuja’s position as a team leader of the Ministry’s taskforce has been amazing, saying the Ministry is proud associating with him.
The former lawmaker hinted that since Asabuja assumed office as leader of the taskforce, the Ministry has witnessed tremendous improvement.
Bipi said the Ministry will always stand by him to ensure that the dreams of the Governor Fubara-led government are achieved.
On his part, the celebrant, Gen Gabriel Asabuja expressed gratitude to God and the Commissioner for the honour done him.
Gen Asabuja also commended Governor Fubara for his tremendous and good leadership in the State, saying his group will continue to give the Governor maximum support in order to achieve more for Rivers people.
Gen Asabuja described Rt Hon Evans Bipi as one of the best brains working with the Governor, saying under Bipi, the Ministry of Urban Development and Physical Planning has shown capacity to leverage on the Governor’s mantra of Rivers First.
He said both the personnel of the Ministry, the Directors and adhoc staff are happy with his style of leadership.
The Joint Provincial Council, East of the Niger, Anglican Communion, held its 2025 Annual General Meeting at St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery, Diocese of Evo from Saturday 15th — Sunday 16th February, 2025.
The meeting which had the theme, “Kept By His Mercies”, with text from Lamentations 3:22-23, had the Archbishops, Bishops, their wives, Chancellors, Financial Secretaries and Synod Clerical Secretaries of the 58 Dioceses as delegates.
At the opening ceremony on Saturday, the Dean of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and Chairman of the Council, Most Rev Blessing Enyindah, charged delegates to stay focused and committed to the matters for discussion and implement decisions reached for the growth of the Church in the region and the advancement of the business of God’s Kingdom.
Most Rev Enyindah, who is also the Archbishop of the Niger Delta Province and Bishop of the Diocese of Ikwerre, lauded the Diocese of Evo for the giant strides recorded in just 15 years of existence while tasking the leadership not to rest on its oars but to strive further to complete the work of the Kingdom in their hands.
Addressing the council in his welcome address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo and host of the Joint Council, The Rt Rev Innocent Ordu, welcomed the delegates, and reminded them that the theme is apt and fit as it reminds the Church of God’s inexplicable and instructible mercy towards mankind, which supersedes His righteous judgements.
Bishop Ordu further lamented the many challenges bedeviling the country, such as skyrocketing cost of living, ravaging sicknesses and ailments, proliferation of harmful drugs, natural disasters, high level corruption in public offices, inept political leadership, amongst others, which he said could not consume mankind because of God’s mercies.
In their separate speeches, delegates saluted the Diocese of Evo for willingly accepting to host the council and the comfort they enjoyed during their stay.
Earlier, the council appointed the Synod’s Clerical Secretary of the Diocese of Evo, Rev (Canon) (Dr) Ebenezer Owhor as the Assistant Secretary of the Joint Council.
Also, before the commencement of plenary, the women of St. Michael’s Church, Rumuomasi Deanery thrilled delegates to good traditional tunes and dance steps while His Royal Highness Eze( Sir) Raymond Chinda led the chiefs and elders of Rumuomasi community in Oropotoma Kingdom, to appreciate the council for choosing the community to host the meeting.
They solicited for prayers of peace, unity and development from the council.
The meeting ended on Sunday evening while the Archbishops and Bishops worshipped in various churches in the Diocese of Evo.