UNITAR, British Council Support Mrs. Amaechi’s Early Child Education Programme

Barely two weeks after the nation was awaken to an Internet fraud, purportedly reporting the planned resignation of President Umaru Yar’adua, the suspected Internet Fraudsters are at it again.  This time their victim is the wife of the Rivers State Governor Lady Judith Amaechi who is accused of financial extortion from Government officials, individuals and groups through her initiative, the Early Child Education Centre powered by the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI). The fraudsters hatched and pasted on the internet, false information purporting a plot by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and her friends to rip-off government officials.  The false information reads: the Governor’s wife is using her newly established NGO though relatively unknown, the empowerment support initiative to demand financial support from officials, corporate organizations and the unsuspecting public. It also alleged that wives of public office holders have been mandated to put pressure on their husbands to donate nothing less than thirty million naira while corporate organizations desiring contract from the state government were levied between N50 million and N100 million Naira respectively. This information is false and an absolute nonsense.  It is indeed borne out of malice and intended to cause panic and disaffection in the state.

The wife of the Governor who is so passionate about the plight of Rivers children is not moved by this flimsy allegation by the faceless fraudsters. I urge you our dear colleagues and other media organizations to disregard the false story because it is a figment of the imagination of the fraudsters who are dwarfed by her Excellency’s good gestures to the people of Rivers especially the less privileged. Meanwhile, more supports have continued to come the way of the Empowerment Support Initiative from the British Council, and the United Nations agency for training and research have pledged to provide the needed assistance to the early child education programme initiated by the wife of Rivers State Governor. Chief of Unitar, Nigeria and Area Security Coordinator Lawrence Boms said the agency is pleased with Mrs. Amaechi’s initiative and will support her in all ramifications including contacting donor agencies in Europe to support the course of the children. In his words, “we are really pleased with this noble idea and wish to support you hundred percent including contacting relevant donor agencies in Europe to support this initiative”.

Also the Rivers State House of Assembly has given its backing to the initiative.  Speaker of the Assembly, Hon. Tonye Harry, who led other members on a visit to Mrs. Amaechi said the lawmakers were thrilled by her show of devotion and commitment to alleviating the suffering of the people of Rivers State especially the children. He assured Mrs. Amaechi of the lawmakers’ support all the way.  The ESI has taken its early child education campaign to the nation’s capital where stakeholders made input in an interactive session. The Minister of National Planning Senator Mohammed Sanusi Daggash described Mrs. Amaechi’s early Child Education as bedrock towards value reorientation as well as a road map to achieving the federal government seven point agenda and the vision 2020. Mrs. Amaechi has trained and engaged over nine hundred teachers for the take off of this programme in the 319 wards in Rivers State.

Prof. Wole Soyinka Charges Youths Against Militancy

Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka has charged youths of the Niger Delta region to shun cultism, militancy and restiveness, and contribute to the development of a national critical mind set through literary activities.  Professor Soyinka who was speaking at the Opening Session of the 3-day Garden City 2008 Literary Festival and Book Fair at the University of Port Harcourt said, there is no where in the world where militant agitation has resolved any problem. The Nobel Laureate cited the instance of South-Africa where youths abandoned their education and protested against their leaders for not doing enough to end apartheid, saying that although the protest was a noble cause, the consequences of the loss of a generation of educated youths had plagued South Africa till date. Professor Soyinka, who maintained that the nation was not interested in mourning the loss of many potential minds who may have been misled into crimes, said his presence in the Niger Delta was part of his contributions towards ensuring peace in the region. He thanked the organizers of Garden City Literacy Festival for inviting him and other literary scholars to the ceremony, assuring that as writers they would highlight the situation in the region objectively through literary activities. The Nobel Laureate who also called for the location of the Institute for Cultural and International Understanding in one of the national archives as against a private library, noting that by so doing the cultural archives of Nigeria would have been properly repositioned and protected.

In his speech, the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi said he encouraged the hosting of the festival to show the world that the negative things written in the papers about Port Harcourt may not be completely true, and to challenge students to cultivate the habit of reading and writing. Governor Amaechi said although he was meeting Kofi Awoonor for the first time, he has had the privilege of reading most of his books as a student and challenged students of literature to strive to attain the height of the like of Prof. Wole Soyinka and other literary giants through critical writing. He said as a student union leader, he was always at the forefront of fighting for better welfare for students, and enjoined them to shun all negative tendencies that are detrimental to their studies. Another Literary Icon, Ambassador Kofi Awoonor expressed gratitude to the organizers for the time and energy invested in the programme, which, he noted, was to awaken the minds of young writers. The Ghanaian-born poet congratulated Captain Elechi Amadi, who was being celebrated, describing him as a man loaded with history and literary achievements. The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt , Professor Don Baridam, noted that the University Community was glad to associate with the first Garden City Literary Festival and Book Fare, describing the event as a gathering of distinguished Literary Icons, Creative Artists and Critics whose works have immense influence and powers on society. Earlier, the founder of Rainbow Book Club, Mrs Koko Kalango, the organizer of Garden City Literary Festival, said her organization has partnered with UNESCO, the British Council, Alliance Francaise, the Association of Nigerian Authors amongst others to encourage a reading culture in Nigerians. Mrs Kalango explained that the Garden City Literary Festival, would be an annual event that would draw people from all over the world to Port Harcourt , noting that the programme would help to restore Nigeria as a destination for lovers of literature and the arts. 

IYC Issues 90 Days Ultimatum To Militants ...Even As It Condemns JTF

By Joe Kalu

Worried by the dangerous dimension which its genuine struggle for the liberation and emancipation of the neglected Niger Delta Region has taken, the new Ijaw Youths Council (IYC) has issued a 90 day ultimatum to the criminals masquerading as freedom fighters to desist from their activities forth with or be ready to face the wrath of “EGBESU” – the ancestral gods of the Ijaw nation, which it noted has been protecting them. In a press briefing during the week in Port Harcourt, Comrade Alali Horsefall, Eastern Zone Chairman of IYC lamented that the activities of the dissidents which he pointed out has been infiltrated by mercenaries has been debased and thus discredited the essence of the struggle. The council  stressed that should the criminals not heed the warning it will in addition storm the creeks and fish them out and hand them over to the law enforcement agents for prosecution to serve as deterrent to others,  adding that its decision is based on the realization that if nothing is done to nip the dangerous trend in the bud, it was capable of degenerating and this will adversely affect the mental psyche of the younger generation. IYC through Comrade Horsefall also condemned what it called the militarization of the region and the brute force being employed by members of the Joint Militancy Task Force, JTF which he noted has resulted in the killing of innocent and defenseless civilians hear him “it is  unfortunate that the JTF with all its sophistication has not achieved any meaningful result because you cannot use force to achieve any meaningful result”. IYC acknowledged the genuine intention of the Yar’Adua led Federal Government to solve the region’s problem by its creation of the Niger Delta Ministry, adding that it was the insincerity of the Nigerian state in adequately addressing the Niger Delta question by adopting a holistic approach to the situation in the region that turns it to a recurring decimal. The body declared that the only solution to the perennial problem is the repealing of those obnoxious provisions in the constitution that is adversely affecting the region. IYC also used the opportunity to appeal to the states and federal governments as well as the security agencies to fashion out sustainable mechanism to grant amnesty and integrate genuine repentant militants back into the society.

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The existence of a market in any environment cannot be said to be any thing out of the ordinary. However, when such a market seen as an ordinary daily market and relatively small begins to command serious attention as a result of the types of commodities sold, cheap prices of commodities and orderliness due to the proprietary tendencies of those who are in charge of affairs in the market then its existence and roles in its immediate and surrounding ambience begins to get felt. The Iriebe market which as a result of its location feeds the people of Port Harcourt city and its environs and also lends its commercial viability to Bonny, Aba, Mile 1, Mile II, etc came into existence barely two years ago and has since then shattered the inflationary trends in prices of food commodities. Commodities from other States come in cheaply and are sold in the some manner. According to the chairman of the yam zone section Mr. Paul Kumbur from Benue State, “this market is young among other markets in Rivers State but we are determined to make it the best market around for the people of Rivers State so that food items can be purchased with minimal and cheap prices”. Continuing, he emphasized that the administration in the market harps on the reduction of prices, because of the present trends in world food crisis and also to make a point.According to him the point is  that “it is not the size of the market that makes goods turn out to be cheap but rather it is the existence of conscientious people who sell in such a market that agree not to be greedy”.

As a result, Iriebe market, multipurpose in nature commands a lot of influence in the stocking of quality yams, water melon, potatoes, tomatoes, garden eggs, oranges, etc. According to another member of the market executive committee, “the market is committed to feeding the entire people of Rivers State and other neighbouring communities. It is because of this fact that it has become a haven for almost all food vendors in the state”. The executive was saying and in conclusion noted that it is actually not only food items that are stocked in the market as they also have such items as clothes, provisions, stationery, etc ‘as you can see’ he pointed out. These “also find space and are sold in the market equally cheap”. From the chairman it was learnt that investors as big-time traders and merchants in various wares are sorting out ways on how to come into the market. Such traders from Aba, Onitsha and up to Jos in Plateau State have been making enquiries. Nevertheless, it was not all hopes and progress throughout the chat. A low point came when there was the mention of link roads and the secretary of the yam zone pointed out that as a result of the construction work going on at the Eleme junction, traffic to the market is usually slow and drab. But he however noted that hopefully, when the job Is concluded such a problem would definitely cease to exist. Collectively those in attendance also remarked that some parts of the market have not been fully developed because those who were allocated stalls in those areas have not come to take them up and do business in them. They were unanimous in stating that when such people start doing business in those shops definitely there will be the tendency for the market authority to champion the cause of fully developing such areas. Finally, the meeting with the press was concluded in a fine note when the executives expressed their profound gratitude to Iriebe people in Iriebe community for their ability in making the environment conducive for business to thrive. Also they expressed warm feeling towards the Chariman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area for his kind gesture.Hopefrully then, in time to come, Iriebe as it is may become the ‘food basket’ for Rivers people-time will tell.

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COE, CAS Lecturers To Receive Salaries Soon

The ongoing strike embarked upon by the lecturers of the state College of Education and the college of Arts and Science would soon be over as the State Government has promised to pay the arrears of their salaries. Briefing Government House correspondents on the outcome of yesterday’s State Executive Council meeting, the Commissioner for Information, Mr. Ogbonna Nwuke, said the state government regrets the incident that led to the strike in the first instance. Mr. Nwuke said the state government is determined to enhance the quality of education in the state, stressing that steps have been taken to ensure that their monies are released almost immediately. “We regret the communication gap that necessitated what happened, and we assure every teacher in the state and other workers that government means well in terms of their welfare”, Nwuke declared. The Council, he said, also x-rayed its commitment to placing premium on education and commended Governor Chibuike Amaechi for declaring a state of emergency on the education sector, and promised to intensify efforts to achieve its objective of not only building infrastructure but also the welfare of teachers. According to him, “government is determined to ensure that we have teachers who are aligning properly in terms of knowledge delivery”, emphasizing that government is satisfied with the retraining programme that is going on for primary school teachers that would give them a better sense of belonging, and make them understand the direction of government in the sector. The Information Commissioner said other civil servants are equally not left out, as Council approved the sale of its houses particularly at Marine Base to workers on owner occupier bases, stressing that the purpose is to mitigate the fear of insecurity for civil servants on retirement.

He said the state government hopes that the decision would motivate them to become more productive in the discharge of their duties. Mr. Nwuke hinted that Council considered the planned mono-rail project, which is expected to enhance movement within the city and its environs, and directed that a presentation be made to council on the matter. On security situation in the state, the Commissioner said Exco reviewed the situation and expressed satisfaction with the steps taken by the Joint Task Force and other security agencies, and reassured the people of the state of their safety, urging them to go about their normal business without fear or intimidation.  Government, he said, would not bow to the antics of the criminal elements, but remains committed to the Rule of Law, adding that the situation has improved tremendously; stressing that government is concerned about the welfare of her citizens to live in peace.  Also speaking, the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Israel Owate said the Governor has lived up to his promise of paying primary school teachers beginning from September by signing the mandate for payment of their salaries.  The Commissioner for Urban Development, Mr. Osima Ginah, in his brief assured the people of Rivers State that they would soon reap the benefit of the demolition of illegal structures in the state, and restated that the exercise is not to witch hunt anybody while commending them for their cooperation.

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Etche “Two” Cluster Dev. Foundation Lauds Amaechi  - By Joe Kalu

A group of 12 oil communities in Etche ethnic nationality under the aegis of Etche two Cluster Development Foundation, ECDF has commended the State Chief Executive, Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi for what they described as his visionary leadership. According to the groups Chairman Hon Kelvin Agbam in a press conference at Igbo Etche last week “ all the actions of the governor since his assumption of office shown that he actually prepared for the seat.” He noted that it was only a determined, dogged and experienced politician like Amaechi that could do what he is doing. Agbam who is a Special Assistant to Senator George Sekibo representing Rivers East Zone disclosed that he would have been disappointed if Governor Amaechi was not doing what he is doing. He described him as an “action governor” He noted that a first time visitor to the state would definitely notice that the governor is working. Agbam however appealed to Governor Amaechi to increase developmental projects and industries in Etche to absolve the teeming unemployed youths of the area. The S.A who also claimed to be speaking the mind of his master pointed out that it was the responsibility of the state government to provide 80% protection to government projects cited in the rural areas.

The youth Chairman expressed the people’s gratitude for the government visit with his cabinet to get first hand the situation report with a view to addressing them describing the innovation as the first of its kind by any Chief Executive, and hoped that he will fulfill his promises to the Etche people  in a record time, as usual. Hon Agbam used the opportunity to give an insight into the activities of his group Etche two Cluster Development foundation, “ I was elected the overall Chairman of the (12) twelve oil communities which of Etche has two representatives each in the union” and the body has an annual allocation of N87 million for execution of various development projects in accordance with the Global Memorandum of understanding GMOU” signed, he noted. Agbam further disclosed that the Cluster has executed and commissioned 32 projects and appealed to the Local and State Government to partner with the group to ensure full utilization of the projects in the best interest of the people. Agbam who is also the CDC Chairman of Umuchem Community, Etche said they also embarked on roads repairs, electricity projects and bursary awards to 108 higher institution students at N20,000 each.

He also listed the renovation of town halls, markets and skills acquisition programs as some of his achievements, adding that while they look forward to the 2008 allocation, the body was ready to account for the last year’s budget to the last kobo. Hon. Agbam used the opportunity to express gratitude to the people for their support and cooperation  which he noted helped in recording achievements made. However, the 2008 jumbo allocation, if not other subsequent years might not be feasible as there is rumble within on how the last one was spent. Not a few  members at the venue who volunteered to talk to this publication believed that the executive of the group was not economical with the rendering of account.  “they should be ready to face the EFCC if they are not careful”, a youth who refused to identify himself blurted out. In a related development, the Republican Party of Nigeria R.P.N has commended the Rivers State Chief Executive, Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi on what he described as his monumental achievements this past one year, especially in the area  of manpower development.  The Rivers State chapter Chairman of the party, Hon. Sunny N. Ojeogu made this commendation over the weekend at Abuja when he was fielding questions from journalists during the marriage ceremony of their leader and Commissioner for Special Duties, Chief Davies Ibiamu Ikanya. The Chairman was full of praises for Governor Amaechi’s magnanimity in victory which gave birth to the unity govt. that his party is a beneficiary and promised the continuous support of his party to the administration in its determined effort to return Rivers State to its lost glory. “ Govt. Amaechi has shown that aggressive approach towards development is possible”. Chief Ojeogu in answer to a question disclosed that RPN has set process in motion to reconcile all aggrieved persons in the party with a view to coming out stronger for further elections.

The Chairman who emerged early this year in an in – house election after its crisis said his focus is to consolidate and refocus his party in Rivers State and by so doing project the image of the leaders. He said also that RPN plans to identify members grievance with a view to addressing them, in order to give Hon Ikanya the necessary support needed for the success of his assignment. Hear him “ when I am through, every member of RPN will be proud to belong to the party” he stressed. On his achievements so far the Chairman said he has offered the party a new direction and provided a rallying point once more, and that he has equally drawn up programs to ensure maximum benefit to members. “For the party, the appointment of our leader as a member of the State Executive Council is a worthy recognition of our capability as a political party’. Ojeogu however, confessed that cash crunch has been the handicap of the party, which he noted has hampered its leaders from taking the party to desired levels and hoped for an improvement of the situation soon. The state party chairman then used the opportunity to congratulate Hon. Ikanya and his newly wedded wife Ruth for the  solemnization of their marriage and wished them a blissful marriage life.

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Importance Of Culture Stressed - From Emeka Iwuala, Owerri

The Ezeigwe of Nkwesi kingdom in Oguta local government area of Imo state, Eze, Prof. Dele Amuzienwa Odigbo has harped on the importance of culture in the life of a particular people stressing that culture and  society are inseparable as it distinguishes a particular people from the other. Eze Prof. Dele Amuzienwa Odigbo who made this assertion during the occasion of the New Yam Festival of Nkwesi Kingdom christened ‘Omerife Nkwesi’ said “to suppress or destroy a culture is to suppress or destroy the identity of a people or society’’. He however called on Ndigbo to always uphold their culture and language as other tribes in the country do. Eze Odigbo who is a professor in Religion stated that the OMERIFE NKWESI has been modernized and christened, stressing that the fetish aspects of the festival have been removed. He pointed out that every culture no matter how mundane has something good in it. The Eze Igwe of Nkwesi ancient kingdom disclosed that Omerife Nkwesi creates cultural awareness and consciousness among the people of Nkwesi and also marks the end of Nkwesi traditional calendar year. He however called for New Yam festivals to be integrated into Christian value. Eze Odigbo who posited that Omerife’s religious presumptions be maintained and expressed in line with Christian practices called on the people to continue with the vision of their fore-fathers. The OMERIFE NKWESI which this publication learnt started in 1411 by a man called Igwe Ogidika who migrated from Benin Kingdom is used to mark the reaffirmation of the citizens’ loyalties, to their traditional Ruler (Igwe) and their kindred’s’ heads. It is also used by most families/kindred’s to hold meetings since almost everybody would be at home for the festival.

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Onuimo LG To Enjoy Good Road Network ~Hon. Emeziem

From Emeka Iwuala, Owerri

In line with the present administration’s policy thrust anchored on the Clean and Green Initiative, the Transition Committee chairman of Onuimo local government area of Imo State, Hon. Paul Emeziem has concluded all necessary plans aimed at uplifting the standard of living of the people of the local government area. Speaking to journalists recently in his office, Hon. Paul Emeziem said his administration within a short period of time has established programmes aimed at making some of the roads in Onuimo especially the one leading to the local government area headquarters passable and motorable. According to the Chairman, his administration has inaugurated a 6-man committee called the Clean and Green Road Work Committee headed by Mr. Christopher Eleghu. The duty of the committee according to the chairman among other things is to supervise and monitor areas along some roads in the L.G.A where there are bad spots which are turning to dead traps with a view to finding solution to remedy the situation. Continuing, the chairman said he has instituted manual labour on the road leading to the L.G.A head quarters every Saturday. This is aimed at ensuring good access to the Local government headquarters. More so, the Paul Emeziem led administration in Onuimo LGA within a short period of time in his administrations has equipped the sanitation task force in the local government with ten wheel barrows, ten shovels and diggers for road maintenance in Onuimo to ensure all the roads in the local government are passable.

Hon Emeziem told journalists that his administration has acquired earth moving equipment, pay loaders and other instruments. All these are in preparation for the monthly clean up exercises. He assured the good people of Onuimo that all roads in Onuimo would be passable and motorable after the clean up exercise in readiness to the dry-season when actual work on the road will begin. The chairman however thanked the executive governor of the state, Chief Ikedi Ohakim for appointing him as the transition committee chairman of Onuimo. He also assured of making the governor proud. However, indigenes of the local government interviewed by this publication thanked the governor for giving Hon. Paul Emeziem the opportunity to serve. They described him as a leader and hardworking son of Onuimo who has come to deliver the people from hardship and give them the dividend of democracy.

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Interview

Education Sector: Worlu Harps On The Way Forward

Recently our man Okechukwu Geoffrey cornered the National Chairman of Education Secretaries of Nigeria Rivers State Branch Mr. Lucky Worluh. He spoke to him on the “state of emergency” declared on the education sector by the Governor, reasons behind the fall in the standard of education in the state and the way forward.

Hear him:-

The Beam: Can we get to meet you formerly Sir?.

Worluh: My name is Mr. Lucky Worluh, by the special grace of God I am the chairman of the 23 Education Secretaries in Rivers State. Beam: Recently the State Governor Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi declared a state of emergency on the state’s education sector, how did your association see the governor’s action? Worluh: My association welcomed the development considering the low level of graduates produced these days.

The Beam: Would you say the declaration of a state of emergency came at the appropriate time?

Worluh: Why not, in fact, what His Excellency did was the first of its kind because it would go a long way to putting things straight in the education sector of the state and will help restore the lost value system in our youths who have resorted to restiveness, cultism, militancy as a means of survival since the education sector has become a helpless one.

The Beam: Are you saying that  the standard of education in Rivers State has fallen to a level that the only solution is to declare a state of emergency?

Worluh: My brother, without mincing words, even though you are not told you should be able to know that our education sector is nothing to write home about. Whether you like it or not the standard of education at the foundational level which is the primary sector has fallen to a level that if you take a look at what we call schools today you will discover that both the teachers and pupils have no seat to sit not to talk of other infrastructural facilities. I must tell you that the fall in our educational standard started when a former military Governor from the Niger Delta region established a private school whereby the rich class and the senior civil servants sent their children to that school and that led to the utter neglect of public schools in the state. And because majority discovered the business very lucrative led to what you and I would describe as indiscriminate establishment of private schools in Rivers State.

Frankly speaking we carried out a survey recently and we discovered that Rivers State has the highest number of private schools through out the country. There is also an institutional decay resulting from the inability of past administrations in the state to give education the required priority. Like today if you go to these communities where the youths have taken to militancy, kidnapping and cultism you will be shocked to see that schools in those areas are nothing to talk about as you can only meet one or two teachers in-charge of those schools and infrastructural facilities at a zero level in those areas. Then guess what happens in such areas where we have no schools. Definitely you will record high level of miscreants who will have no option than to engage in unruly behavious as a means to survive.

The Beam: Can you tell Rivers People the functions of the education secretaries?

Worluh: Well, the functions or probably the roles of the education secretaries cannot be overemphasized. First, the education/ executive secretaries of the Local Government Education Authorities are responsible for the implementation of the UBE programmes all over the country. It would interest you to note that UBE programme is a national programme from UBEC like that of educational policies in Nigeria, therefore the responsibilities of executive secretaries are spelt out in the UBE Act of Rivers State where it is responsible for the day to day running of UBE programmes of the LGA’s. Another important aspect is the foundational sector of education which is very important to a nation building as it is the nucleus of our educational development. You know that the management of a child which is the responsibility of the education secretaries is also a serious business so the association is  doing a lot to move the country’s educational sector forward by informing the rural populace about the importance of basic education to our children.

The Beam: Sorry, to take you back, are you really telling Rivers people to expect the best in the education sector going by the state of emergency declared?

Worluh: Like I told you the Governor’s decision in the education sector was long over due and as a group we welcomed it since it was a positive one that would bring about the sustainability of the educational sector in the  state and the country at large. I can tell you without fear or favour that His Excellency has done something much better before now in the education sector like the award of scholarship to Rivers sons and daughters at both the primary and tertiary levels and by extension award of scholarship to study overseas and a lot more and, we sincerely congratulate him for the timely intervention and most importantly the taken over of primary school teachers salary. You should know also that based on the assessment of what His Excellency has done in the education sector the national body gave him an award in faraway Khastina State along side Mr. President.

At this point therefore, one would say that declaring a state of emergency was not the  issue since our governor is the type that marches his words with action. I repeat, the governor has done more than declaring a state of emergency on education even the orientation program for teachers is another milestone which is the first of its kind since the creation of the state and I will advise at the juncture that re-orientation workshop should follow. We should also not rule out the fact that most of the things that happened in our education sector were cosmetic in nature considering the fact that government before now embarked on renovation of schools along the roads in the townships and left the ones in the rural areas and the water front to suffer which led to what is known today as rural/urban migration of teachers.

The Beam: Now what do you think will be a way forward and your advise to government?

Worluh: First and foremost, supervision should be given the required attention with  proper funding provided.

Also instructional materials should be adequately provided and offices provided for the supervisors too. Very importantly supervision reports from Local Government Education Authorities should be evaluated and implemented from time to time to serve as checks and balances to the system. Teaching aids should be provided to both the teachers and students and should be done according to the law whereby the Local Government Education Authorities and head teachers will be responsible in providing the materials to the students as required by the school. Again supervision should be the responsibility of all including the Governors, council chairmen, councilors, journalists, religious leaders, opinion leaders, assembly members, community leaders among others as this will bring what is called “Supervise the Supervisor” taking cognizance of the fact that when a state is not educated it leads to the issue of loss of value system. Also I wish to advise that relevant bodies and unions such as ANCOPS, NUT, COPSION, UBE, PRICIPALS, NASU, ASUU, NAESN and others be invited to make their contributions on relating to moving the education sector forward in the state.

Interrupted

Sir, but how do we checkmate some of the excesses in the system

Worluh: To be sincere, if we really want to succeed basically a body to regulate the activities of private schools must be set up and anybody who is a manager in the education sector in Rivers State found running a private school should be shown the way out that is my candid opinion. And again quack teachers should be advised to leave the system and recruitment of teachers must be based on professionalism. Let teachers pension board be established in the state where those who are due for retirement would be given their entitlements. Also local Government Education Authorities should ensure that all teachers both academic and non – academic staff open an account where salaries would be paid to all staff and this will stop the rumours of ghost names in the system.

Paid vouchers should be prepared by head teachers and passed through the accountant of LGEA  to the board for verification and implementation. His Excellency should also endeavor to establish a yearly award for excellent students and teachers as it will serve as work hard welfare for both. Infact, LGA’s should give 30% of their allocation to education since the state government has taken the development of educational system. I’m sure  by the time all these things are carried out it will create a synergy between the local government and the state in developing education in the state. As a matter of urgency, council chairmen should provide offices for Local Government Education Authority in the 23 LGAs like it is done in other states. Rivers State “marching ground” to the UBE board should be used to provide supervision vehicles to the 23 LGAs as it is done in states like Katsina, Borno, Bauchi, Plateau, Ondo, Zamfara and Ogun State.

The Beam: Sir, we are indeed happy having you at this point in time, thank you for telling Rivers people what should be done to move education in the state forward.

Worluh: Thank you very much for giving me the opportunity I want to also let the people know that our contribution in the education sector gingered the governor to paying particular attention to education in the state.

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Mccain And Obama Resume  Campaign Fight After Debate

Democrat Barack Obama hit the campaign trail and Republican John McCain returned to Washington for financial rescue talks on Saturday after clashing sharply on spending and foreign policy in their first presidential debate. Both camps claimed victory the day after a 90-minute debate that gave millions of undecided voters their first chance to directly compare the two candidates in a tight race for the White House. "We think it's another piece in the puzzle to Senator Obama winning the election," campaign manager David Plouffe said of Obama's debate performance, citing several surveys that crowned him a slight winner and showed him making gains with undecided voters. In their first face-to-face encounter of the campaign, McCain and Obama repeatedly questioned each other's judgement and battled over the economy and the Iraq war. McCain, 72, cast doubt on Obama's readiness for the presidency. "There are some advantages to experience and knowledge and judgement," the four-term Arizona senator said. "I honestly don't believe that Senator Obama has the knowledge or experience." Obama, 47, a first-term Illinois senator, tied McCain to the policies of unpopular President George W. Bush and said both men had been too focussed on Iraq while ignoring other problems. "The next president has to have a broader strategic vision about all the challenges we face," Obama said. Neither candidate scored any clear blows or committed major gaffes. McCain was on the attack frequently and put Obama on the defensive, but Obama responded forcefully.

Public opinion polls have shown Obama making gains over the past week on the question of who could best lead the country on economic issues. Most polls show Obama holding a slight and growing lead over McCain. Plouffe said the economic crisis and the responses of the two candidates might be "a turning point" in the election. He pointed to McCain's initial comment as the crisis broke that the fundamentals of the economy were still strong. "When they see John McCain say the fundamentals of the economy are strong, it is really shocking to people," Plouffe said. In the debate, McCain said he would freeze federal spending as president on most programs other than defence and veterans' care, and accused Obama of being a big-spending liberal who could not bring together Republicans and Democrats. "Senator Obama has the most liberal voting record in the Senate," McCain said. "It's hard to reach across the aisle from that far to the left." Obama said the anti-regulatory philosophy of McCain and other Republicans had led to the collapse on Wall Street. "This is a final verdict on eight years of failed economic policy promoted by George Bush and supported by Senator McCain," he said of the financial crisis. McCain, a staunch advocate of the Iraq war, and Obama, an early critic, battled over who had shown the best judgement on the conflict.McCain also criticized Obama's stance that he would be willing to meet with the leaders of hostile nations like Iran without preconditions. Obama pointed out that Henry Kissinger, the former secretary of state who is one of McCain's foreign policy advisers, supported a similar approach. The next scheduled debate is on Thursday between the vice presidential candidates, Republican Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, and Democratic Sen. Joe Biden of Delaware.

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Farewell President Mbeki

We live in strange times. A prophet is indeed without honour in his own home. One moment a man is being lauded for brokering a ground breaking deal that holds the promise of peace and stability in a neighbouring nation, and the next moment he's receiving short shrift from his own party; a party into which he was 'born and baptised' and of which he has been a life-long member. These are strange times indeed. It is inexplicable that the ANC would act in such a manner to force the resignation of President Mbeki from power at this time. It is a disappointing action. It has set a poor precedent. There is no denying the fact that President Mbeki's relations with Jacob Zuma have been fraught with difficulty for some time now. And South Africa's High Court's decision to spare Mr. Zuma the requirement of standing trial on corruption charges must represent the final nail in the coffin of their poisoned relationship.  The High Court's decision, coming as it did against the background of the threat by Mr. Zuma's supporters to plunge South Africa into anarchy, was probably the correct one in the circumstances. For someone usually as sure footed as President Mbeki it is almost unthinkable that he would have let matters between himself and Mr. Zuma come to this point, thereby leaving him in a rare bind. For if he had had his way and Mr. Zuma went to trial then political temperatures would have risen to an unacceptable point, thus destabilising South Africa in the process; and if, as has happened, Mr. Zuma walked free then he would suffer a loss of authority, which he now has.  So President Mbeki has become an Emperor defrocked, and lies exposed to attacks from his enemies. It is not a pleasant position to be in, for whenever your enemies detect a scent of weakness around you, they encircle you in order to inflict damage. This has become President Mbeki's unfortunate fate.

It is a pity that he did not pay more attention to sustaining his relationships as he did in letting them wither. In politics, it is customary, if not inevitable, that one will cultivate friendships as well as enemies. But his mistake was to make enemies of people with a following. Making enemies of the likes of the exotically named Tokyo Sexwale and Jacob Zuma (and even Cyril Ramaphosa) was careless. He ought to have drawn them close. For in politics it is said that you must keep your friends close, but your enemies even closer. No doubt, these enemies are now salivating with glee at his political demise. But nonetheless, it is still surprising that the ANC would call for his resignation, rather than act as a restraining force or seek to effect reconciliation between the antagonists in the situation. Particularly as Mr. Zuma himself called for restraint towards President Mbeki recognising that he had become a spent force. It would have been much more charitable of the ANC to allow him to ride out his tenure which in any event ends next year. That President Mbeki has agreed to resign as soon as the necessary constitutional formalities are fulfilled is itself impressive. It shows that he has an entrenched respect for the rule of law. He has a thing or two to teach his peers acros s the continent in whom this appreciation is lacking. But then again Mr. Mbeki is and has been one of Africa's better presidents.  In a sense, it is quite fortuitous that he was able to broker the power-sharing deal in Zimbabwe a few days ago. Perhaps he sensed the writing was on the wall and got President Mugabe to do the right thing. President Mugabe must realise that he is not Mr. Zuma's favourite person and will now have to tread carefully. But nonetheless, it would be wrong for any caretaker president or Mr. Zuma to allow the deal to founder on account of President Mbeki's brokering of it.

The Zimbabwean power-share deal must be seen in its proper context as a triumph of South African diplomacy, rather than simply a legacy of President Mbeki. So whatever dislike Mr. Zuma may have for President Mugabe, as South Africa's putative president he must not allow his feelings to colour his or the actions of whoever succeeds President Mbeki in the short term. They must ensure that the protagonists in Zimbabwe are made to live up to their commitments and responsibilities with respect to the agreement.  Given his knack for independent mindedness, President Mbeki provoked different reactions from different forces. In the West he was viewed with ambivalence, if not outright suspicion. Unlike many other African leaders whenever he was asked to 'jump' by the West, rather than ask 'how high' like his peers, he would remain firmly rooted to the ground. He crossed swords with Western pharmaceutical companies and interest groups; challenging their diagnoses, prognoses, and prescriptions on the emotive issue of HIV, and its correlation with AIDS. And for this he was widely demonised in Western media outlets. Also on the issue of Zimbabwe he resisted pressure from Britain and certain factions within the Commonwealth who were intent on pursuing a colonial/paternalistic approach towards the issue. But in characteristic fashion he ignored their pressure and pressed on with his own approach; an approach which has now yielded the desired dividends. The one area in which he struggled to make an enduring impact is the area of poverty alleviation. Too many South Africans remain mired in the quick sands of poverty. While he might have succeeded in nurturing a black middle class, the conditions in which the majority population subsist are appalling and are a festering sore in urgent need of attention. But given the background to the problem it will take many more administrations to correct the ills of the Apartheid regime. All good things eventually come to an end; and that end has now come for President Mbeki. But I believe that South Africa and indeed Africa have benefited from having him in power. And right to the very end he has shown his class by acceding to the demands of his political party, the ANC, in stepping down. In spite of what has befallen President Mbeki, I think history's verdict of him will be kind. He is one of the few cerebral presidents in Africa who tried to do their best for their nation and people. He can leave office with his dignity intact and his head held high. Schools of Government wherever they may exist on the African continent will do well to beat a path to his doorstep, in order to drink from his deep reservoir of knowledge. Farewell Thabo Mbeki, illustrious son of the illustrious Govan Mbeki; son of Africa, may the Sun always shine upon you!

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Is Nigeria Worth Saving?

This essay is a follow up to the first in a three series article on Nigeria's future. In the first essay, “Disintegration & Secession: Cop Out, Not a Solution”, I had sought to test the logic behind the much vaunted thesis of the proponents for the dismantling of Nigeria. In it I had examined their various arguments, put it against the candle test of reason and logic. In short, my ultimate premise was that there is nothing wrong with Nigeria that won't be wrong with the resulting federations thereof; assuming we don't even come worse off. Hence, break-up is not a solution but at best a cop-out form real, practical and positive actions to restore our country. I have however found it necessary to follow up with this essay, seemingly to make a case for Nigeria. This is because it is simply not enough to be against something- it is more worthwhile when you stand for something. In the first part of the series, I have made a case against breaking up Nigeria. Here, I will be making a case for keeping her together. In the follow up to this which will come shortly, I will examine how exactly to do so because I believe that in as much as break up is not a solution, neither is the status quo. Many have referred to Nigeria as a “geographical expression”. Some have referred to the union of Nigeria as “a forced marriage; one in which no one want to be in but also no party dare break up”. Well, there is some measure of truths to these common wisdoms; however, there is also a gargantuan of exaggerations to them. To those that say Nigeria is a geographical entity and do not define a people, well - pray tell why a phenomenon known as the “Nigerian Factor” exists in our lexicon? It is true that Nigerians as a people have a far way to go to achieve the fluid identity that we associate with the Americans or Russians, but it is also not true that Nigerians have not developed a distinct, common identity in their hundred plus years in one form of union or the other.  When I come across a Nigerian (irrespective of ethnicity), I can tell. Nigerians are not Ghanaians, nor Kenyans or Ethiopians in any bit. Non-Nigerians even know it! Even citizens of countries that surround the immediate borders of Nigeria cannot put up air or make pretence to be Nigerians. Nigerians are unique. We have an attitude. We are a special people. Over hundred years, we have developed an aggressive Type A character that typifies our politics, sociology, music, business enterprise and above all our religion. A Nigerian Christian is vastly different from his Togolese counterpart; so is a Nigerian Muslim woman vastly unlike her Chadian cousins. We bond together with a variant of pidgin English- every region with its unique spin on that flowery contraption. Ingrain in our uniquely socio-political DNA are the ethos of survival at all cost, enterprise, love of life, an ability to smile while suffering and beyond all- a propensity to overcome personal and communal obstacles.

If there is any reason to keep Nigeria as one, I submit it is the Nigerian people  the beauty of our diversity, and the intensity of their collective energy. We are