Niger Delta
Private Schools Threaten Sept 11 Resumption Boycott In Edo
Private school owners in Edo State under the Coalition of Private Schools on Monday, threatened to boycott the September 11 resumption date, over alleged State Government’s harsh policies.
The coalition at a news conference in Benin, said the step became necessary as all efforts to reach Governor Godwin Obaseki over their plights proved abortive.
The body comprised the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), Association of Private Schools Owners of Nigeria (APSON), and the National Association of Proprietors Of Private Schools (NAPPS).
The State Chairman of NAPPS, Dr Lemmy Russel, who spoke on behalf of the group, said its members were being overburdened with Corporate Tax by the Federal Inland Revenue as well as Personal Income Tax and annual renewal by the state government.
He said besides these, the private school owners faced different challenges as different officials would come around to collect one fee or the other in the name of being government agents.
He said the recent facility check survey by the Directorate of Quality Assurance in the state for instance, was impromptu and hasty.
According to him, the associations’ leaders could have been carried along as agreed in the previous stakeholders’ meeting in order to mobilise members.
Russel described the decision of the government to seal off default schools in the current economic realities as tantamount to increasing the number of out-of-school children and unemployment in the country already plagued with poverty.
He, however, appealed that no private school be closed; rather there should be a regulatory control with regard to school site, landmass and classroom population.
“We, therefore, appeal for a stakeholders’ meeting of the three association leaders to have a dialogue in order to address the many plights of private schools in Edo State.
“Scrap the huge annual renewal fee or have one consolidated fee/Tax payable by private schools as against the numerous bills charged.
“Fund/Loan be made available to private schools at a very low interest rate with a period of at least five years to pay back.
“This will help drive the implementation of disarticulation policies of schools and improve the learning environment in schools.
“A committee composed of association leaders, ministry of education representatives and other critical stakeholders in education be set up to meet and review the policy checklist and deliberate on its implementations”, he said.
In case the appeals had no result, he said members would stage peaceful protests to ensure necessary actions are taken.
He, however, commended the education reform of the state including the establishment of directorate of quality assurance, disassociating itself from the viral video maligning some officials of the state.
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.