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CDS Seeks Collective Measures To Secure Schools
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has called for collective measures to secure schools against security challenges.
Musa made the call yesterday at a safe school workshop with theme: “ Providing a Secure and Safe Learning Environment for Advancement of National Development” organised by 8 Division of Nigerian Army Sokoto.
He said the Armed Forces of Nigeria will continue to do all within its strength to ensure the protection of children, in collaboration with other security agencies.
He noted that a secured and better environment must be provided for Nigerian children so that they can acquire education without fear of criminals.
In his address, the Chief of Defence Training and Operations Nigerian Army Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Emeka Onumajuru, said the workshop was in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope programme and Federal Government’s policy on safe, secure and violent-free schools initiative.
Onumajuru noted that the workshop became imperative in view of the incessant attacks on schools across Nigeria since 2014.
He said the event was prepared as a stepdown training with participants to educate others in their formations, educational cycles and departments in order to expand the scope of knowledge and experiences learnt.
According to him, the workshop is aimed at sensitising troops on the rudiments of inter-agency collaboration to protect schools against attacks.
“ It is an avenue to provide key enablers required to reach the locations of some of the schools, such as motorcycles and communication gadgets, so as to respond rapidly when the need arises.
“ Education is the pillar of the society’s development that needed to be prioritize and ensure collective strategies to guard learning environments for future generations, “ Onumajuru said.
In his welcome address, the Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC), 8 Division Nigerian Army, Brig-Gen. Ibikunle Ajeso, called for collaborative efforts of stakeholders to secure schools across the state.
Ajose, who was represented by Garrison Commander, Brig-Gen. Alexandra Tawasimi, appealed to the participants to make the best use of the workshop to ensure that the objective of the safe schools initiative was achieved.
The lead presenter, Brig.-Gen. Monday Lafal, dwelled on society approach to a secure learning environment in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for adequate fencing, security tips awareness among teachers and student in schools across Sokoto state.
Lafal said community members alert to security personnels, combined surveillance initiatives and would facilitate prompt responses to tackle any unforeseen circumstances.
Another presenter on operationalizing the safe school programme; the role of stakeholders, Mr Charles Alfred, highlighted the need for multifaceted approach to tackle security challenges in the school system.
Alfred shared experiences on the Northeast operations, modalities of Boko Haram obduction of students strategies, chain and manner of organized crimes that comprised banditry, kidnappings and other criminalities in the country.
He noted that separate groups works to execute the crimes within an organized system, stressing that to defeat the syndicate, security agencies and community members must also be effectively organized.
Brig.-Gen Tawasimi discussed the role of military in safe school programme in the 8 Division Garrison perfective, where he called for community support approaches, collaboration with sister agencies and interventions in view of terrains and cultural challenges.
Earlier, the Special Adviser to Gov. Ahmad Aliyu on Carrier and Security Matters, retired Col. Abdul Ahmad, assured state government’s commitment to stepdown the training and provide necessary support to ensure safe schools.
The Tide source reports that Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar, represented by Alhaji Abdullahi Dodo, Iyan-Sokoto, commended Nigerian Army on the initiative and assured maximum support to the programmes.
The Tide source reports that the workshop featured discussions, questions and answers.
Motorcycles and communication gadgets were presented to Garrison Commander, while participants included Police, NSCDC, members of the armed forces, religious and traditional leaders as well as grassroots groups
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.
