Niger Delta
Panel Tasks Bayelsa Govt On COE
The Bayelsa State Government has been urged to take appropriate steps to ensure the commencement of full academic activities at the new site of the state-owned College of Education by the start of the 2013/2014 academic session.
The visitation panel to the Bayelsa State College of Education stated this as part of its recommendations while submitting its report to Governor Seriake Dickson at Government House, Yenagoa.
Speaking, Chairman of the panel, Dr. Seiyefa Koroye also called for the immediate constitution of the institution’s Governing Council with people who do not only have vast experience in higher education but also have proven integrity capable of commanding enough respect within the college.
While stressing the need for government to rapidly develop the new site of the College, Dr. Koroye pointed out that BYCOE currently stands the risk of having its provisional licensewithdrawn by the National Council for Colleges of Education, NCCE which will be visiting the State by September this year for accreditation.
Consequently, the panel recommended that intake of new students for the forthcoming session is suspended “or in case the NCCE is persuaded to extend the provisional license of the College, there should be only a limited number of admission not exceeding 60”.
Giving credence to the need for the relocation of the institution, the Panel stated that doing so will go a long way to attract new staff and retain existing ones as well as students to ensure that available resources are prudently utilised.
According to the report, out of about 900 staff transferred to BYCOE only 193 are academic staff; adding that disengaged BYCAS staff should be re-deployed to the recently re- established BYCAS or elsewhere as Government may deem fit.
The panel called for the amendment of the College law especially “the section that states that all BYCAS staff and students may be taken over by BYCOE”.
It further recommended that the Bayelsa State College of Education Demonstration School comprising Pre-Nursery, Nursery, Primary, Junior and Senior Secondary Schools be de-coupled from the college,with similar schools established at the new location.
While advocating for proper funding for the institution, the Panel strongly recommended that the number of accounts the College maintains in various banks should be rationalised, stressing that the institution should observe strict adherence to due process in terms of contract award and procurement.
Responding, Governor Seriake Dickson noted that the decision to relocate the State College of Education to Sagbama was taken in the best interest of all well-meaning people of the State.
According to the Governor, a bill for the amendment of the law establishing the institution has been forwarded to the State House of Assembly for consideration and passage.
The Governor noted that the process of revamping the educational sector will not be complete until a functional College of Education is established in the State.
Governor Dickson expressed gratitude to the Chairman and members of the Panel for putting together what he described as an erudite and comprehensive report.
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.