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Fubara Lauds Evo Diocesan Schools On Quality …Pledges Collaboration, Thanks Diocese For Prayers.
The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has rated the Evo Diocesan Schools high on quality delivery of educational goals and objectives.
The Governor disclosed the assessment at the Synod Thanksgiving Service of the Diocese of Evo, Anglican Communion, which was held at Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls School (ACMGS), Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, last Sunday.
The state’s Chief Executive, who was represented by the Head of Service, Dr George Nwaeke, assured the Diocese of Evo of collaboration and support in infrastructure and other critical areas that would drive quality education in the State.
“I must say your Synod theme is timely as it seeks to remind all stakeholders of the essence of collaboration in our drive to raise the bar of education in the state,” he stated.
The Governor further applauded the Diocese for their fervent prayers, which, he said, have kept the government running and the sustenance of peace in the State.
“We thank you for your tireless prayers, which have sustained the peace in our dear State and kept our government running successfully.
“We therefore assure you of our poise to create an enabling environment with all necessary support in sustaining quality education in our State,” he said.
Delivering the sermon at the Synod Thanksgiving Service, with the topic: “How Will They Know, If No One Teaches Them,” with text from Deut. 6:6–12, former Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Dame Ibim Semenitari recounted some inspiring testimonies of her life, which she said were the centre of her sermon.
Dame Semenitari, who is a licensed lay reader, reminisced about her involvement in Kingdom ministry and activities from a tender age, which, according to her, has kept her in the faith.
She further recounted the ‘inspirational stories and songs’ that her grandmother narrated to her, which helped in moulding her life, thereby underscoring the importance of care and attention by parents in the upbringing of the child.
She harped on the instilling of honesty, diligence, respect, and other godly virtues in the nurturing of children, which she maintained would certainly help in transforming the individual for national development.
To the church, Dame Semenitari advocated for prayers and strategic involvement to fill the lapses noticed in parenting while tasking the state on adequate funding, provision of necessary infrastructure, and motivation, amongst others, in enhancing all-round education that would positively impact society and expedite the individual’s transformation for national development.
She concluded by expressing concerns about the content parents teach their children, total negligence in some cases, and the lack of the inculcation of the word of God in the upbringing of children.
However, she recommended discipline, encouragement, counselling, prayers, and sometimes allowing ‘children to test their faith muscles’ as strategies that would assist children in finding their path in the journey of life towards becoming useful leaders to the family, church, and nation.
In his address, the Bishop of the Diocese of Evo, Anglican Communion, and Proprietor of the Evo Diocesan Schools, The Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu, appreciated the support of the state government in promoting quality education while urging them not to compromise quality and standard of education in the State.
Bishop Ordu also announced the preferment of Rev. Timothy Otuka as a Canon while also announcing St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Rumuobiokani Deanery, as the next Synod host.
The Bishop further appreciated the delegates, visitors, and the entire Evo Diocesan community for their patience, teamwork, and commitment, which resulted in the success of the Synod.
Recall that the 2024 Synod is the 3rd session of the 5th Synod of the Diocese was hosted by the Evo Diocesan Schools of Archdeacon Crowther Memorial Girls School (ACMGS), Elelenwo; Bishop Crowther Memorial Secondary School (BCMSS) Rumuobiokani; and Woji Town Word of Faith School (WTWOFS), Woji.
The Synod theme was ‘Education for National Development and Transformation: The Role of the Family, Church, and State,’ while the text was taken from Deut. 6:7-8, Prov. 22:6, Eph. 6:4.”
The highlight of the service was the presentation of cash gifts and certificates to some outstanding students in the 2024 JAMB examinations by the Bishop and support of financial grants to some indigent widows of the Diocese by the Evo Diocesan Council of Knights.
The service was massively attended by some top government functionaries, members of the political class, captains of industry, traditional rulers, parents, teachers, and students of Evo Diocesan Schools.
The Rivers State Chief judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi has granted pardon to six inmates standing awaiting trial at the Port Harcourt maximum correctional center.
The six lucky inmates granted pardon on Tuesday by the state Chief Judge included Nwekeala Chizoba, Samuel Emmanuel, Aniete Kelvin, Ebube Fubara and Goddey Okpara who were on awaiting trial as murder suspects and have all spent between 10 years to seven years in the custody without a proper information filed against them in the court.
Justice Amadi during a special gaol delivery exercise last Tuesday at the Port Harcourt Maximum Correctional Centre opined that the special gaol delivery was part of activities lined up to commomerate the 2024/2025 legal year in the State and restated the commitment of the state judiciary in decongesting the correctional centre and ensuring that those inmates who are not supposed to be there are removed from the custody.
The state chief judge stressed the need for all stakeholders to work together to build a society that supports rehabilitation and gives a second chance to anyone or group of people who have fallen short of the expectation of the law and have been punished accordingly.
He stressed that the National Judicial Council(NJC) encourages judges to pay more attention to criminal matters to enable them to decongests the correctional facilities, noting that since his assumption into office, his administration has been able to reduce the number of inmates in Nigerian Correctional Centres and the Port Harcourt Correctional Centre in particular, to less than 2,000 as against the over 4,000 inmates previously in the faculty.
According to him, “as they release the deserving inmates, they affirm their commitment to justice, compassion and rule of law but that they must not forget the fundamental principles of justice delivery system which is truth and fairness, integrity and equality before the law.”
I encourage you all the released inmates to return to your families and become better citizens. You must not engage in action that will return you all back to prison. Let me say that while the judges show empathy to you all, it does not absolved individuals from being held accountable for actions against individuals, corporate organisations and state which the law frowns at, ”he stated
The Chief Judge thereafter stood down the exercise to enable the DPP to intervene to case files following the fact that majority of the persons listed to benefit from the exercise are facing murder charges and adjourned to a date that will come before December.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the outgoing state Comptroller of Nigerian Correctional Centre, Port Harcourt, Felix Lawrence, who was recently promoted to the rank of Assistant Controller General, commended the state judiciary led by Chief Judge, Justice Simeon Chibuzor Amadi for their continuous effort aimed at ensuring justice and decongesting the facilities.
Other activities lined up for the event included special church service at St Paul’s Cathedral , Anglican Communion, Rebisi Port Harcourt, inspection of guard of honour by the state Chief Judge mounted by officers of the Nigerian police and a special court session held at the ceremonial court hall.
By: AkujobiAmadi
The Director General of Rivers State Bureau on Public Procurement (RBoPP), Dr. Ine Briggs, has explained that the Sir Siminalayi Fubara administration plans to enforce transparency in governance through public procurement.
Speaking at a one-day Public Procurement Enlightenment workshop organised in collaboration with the State Local Government Service Commission for newly elected chairmen, vice chairmen, secretaries and leaders of legislative assemblies, Dr. Briggs said it is key for grassroot development.
She stated that the Sir. Fubara administration plans to reduce wastage and at same time infuse efficiency in public expenditure.
The RSoPP DG said the local government political office holders remain key drivers in the new vision hence the workshop is to arm them with knowledge on how to execute projects in tandem with needs of the people.
“ Your role in the prudent management of public resources is, therefore, not just administrative it’s the cornerstone of delivering the dividends of democracy. Every procurement decision you make must reflect a commitment to fairness, transparency and accountability” Dr. Briggs submitted.
One of the key goals of the administration she further reminded the participants was to use their offices to foster economic growth through public procurement.
She warned that the law establishing the agency empowers it to penalise defaulters, but that what is more important is voluntary compliance to the laws.
In addition to that, she said urged the local government council leaders that champion the practice and implementation of public procurement law.
On his part, Acting Chairman of Local Government Service Commission, Pastor GoodLife Ben Iduoku averred that the aim of the workshop is to arm key stakeholders in the local government system to generate new ideas, innovation and strategies in tandem with government policies and programmes.
The workshop dealt on various topics on procurement planning, methods, Understanding Bid Process, including types of Construction Contracts and law.
Some participants were awarded excellence and meritorious awards as part of the programme.
By: Kevin Nengia
The 19th anniversary of the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS), Rivers State Chapter, recently ended in Port Harcourt in grand style, with participants from various schools including proprietors, the academia, civil society groups and top government functionaries charting the way forward for educational improvement.
The 19th NAPPS anniversary christened, ‘Innovation and Adaptation: Transforming Challenges Into Opportunities’ was held at Casoni Hotels, Port Harcourt.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Rivers State Chapter of the association, Dr. Jaja Adafe Sunday expressed gratitude to the members and executives for their untiring efforts towards the achievements of the body.
He sought the intervention of government on the lingering crisis on the economy as it is affecting the running of schools.
He decried high cost of things including fuel and raw materials which has adversely affected the running of schools and payment of teachers.
Dr. Sunday hinted that the current economic situation in the nation is biting hard on the operations of schools, saying inflation, removal of fuel subsidy, fuel scarcity, poor electricity supply, tariffs and lack of government grants are some of the challenges faced by schools, and urged the members to brace up to the challenges, as it is the panacea to building a brighter future.
Guest speakers from the health sector and the academia thrilled the gathering on the essence of basic education which they said is the key to national development.
Former Dean of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Azuru and the Chief Medical Director of Meridian Hospitals, Dr. Odo Iyke were some notable guest speakers who delivered lectures at the occasion.
Some distinguished proprietors also got special recognitions and awards.
The 19th anniversary cake was cut by the Rivers State NAPPS Chairman with representatives of the state government assisting.
