Rivers
Diri Charges MDAs, Stakeholders On Compulsory Education Laws …As FME Takes Out-Of-School Campaign To Bayelsa
Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri has tasked the state’s Ministries of Education, Information and Orientation as well as all relevant stakeholders in the education sector on the implementation of the state’s compulsory primary and secondary school education laws.
He gave the charge in Yenagoa during the week at the flag-off ceremony of an event tagged, ‘Out-Of-School Children Campaign’ organised by the Federal Ministry of Education.
Diri who stated that it was shocking to note that there were no fewer than 250,000 Out-Of-School Children in the State alone, expressed regrets that the state could have such an alarming number of children not in school, even though successive administrations of the state have made huge investments in the education sector.
The Bayelsa State Chief Executive averred that while the preceding administration in the state had made primary and secondary education in the state compulsory through the enactment of the state compulsory primary and secondary education law since 2018, the bane of educational advancement in the state, years after the making of the law was lack of implementation by the concerned MDAs and stakeholders, respectively.
“Initially when programmes such as this are carried out in Nigeria, it’s always in the North. And so people see the Southern part of the country as educationally advantaged area.
“But when I got the Out-Of-School Children statistics in Bayelsa State from the internet which stands at about 250,000 (two hundred and fifty thousand) it became more surprising that we could have such a huge number of our children not going to school in the state”, Diri said.
The Governor, who also lauded the Federal Ministry of Education for bringing the campaign to the state, reiterated his resolve to continuously improve the lots of the citizens of the state through education, noting that as a result his administration has established Science and Technical Colleges in different parts of the state to complement the existing primary and post primary schools in the state.
“A law was passed by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly on this matter in 2018. So, Mr. Minister, Bayelsa State had started addressing the issues long before now. But your coming is key as it has opened our eyes to the level of out-of-school children in our state.
“The issue is mostly about implementation. We have the laws to ensure that our children are educated. This law has to be implemented across all our communities. The Ministries of Information and Education must do all within their powers to ensure that the public is aware of this law and it is implemented.
“It is unbelievable that a law like this was enacted and assented to by a sitting Governor. Yet we have out-of-school children.Let me use this opportunity to call on parents to ensure that they take advantage of the provisions of government”. There is free primary education. Uniforms and other instructional materials are being provided by government. So, why won’t parents send their children to school?
“As a state, we will continue to prioritize education and have a paradigm shift that will be beyond certificates. We have introduced technical education and by our third anniversary we will commission some of the schools”, Governor Diri added.
In his remarks, the Minister of State for Education, Goodluck Nanah-Opiah, said education was a collective responsibility and called on all stakeholders to join forces to eradicate the menace of out-of-school children in the interest of the country.
He said the Federal Ministry of Education has put in place mechanisms to ensure that education was accessible to children of school age and appealed to the state government to continue to prioritize education.
The Minister lauded the Bayelsa government for its investment in the education sector, urging it not to relent.
A statement from the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Daniel Alabrah quoted him having earlier called on the federal government to establish more tertiary institutions in the state to enhance and expand the frontiers of education when he received the Minister in his office at Government House, Yenagoa.
The Governor Diri’s spokesman also quoted him to have urged the federal government to release its share of educational counterpart funds to the state.
The statement read in parts: “As we speak, Bayelsa has done its counterpart funding up till 2022 and now we are eagerly awaiting the federal government counterpart funding for 2022. Help us prevail on the Universal Basic Education Commission to fast-track its contribution to the fund to ensure that our educational requirements are met. As we speak now, we are even prepared for our counterpart funding for 2023.”
By: Ariwera Ibibo-Howells, Yenagoa
The management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.