Delta Subeb Holds Town Hall Meeting With Head Teachers, Sues For Commitment Towards Actualization Of Quality Education In The State

Delta Subeb Holds Town Hall Meeting With Head Teachers, Sues For Commitment Towards Actualization Of Quality Education In The State

Francis Tayor

Warri____ The Executive Chairman of the Delta State Universal Basic Education Board, SUBEB Hon. Sunny Ogwu has sued for commitment and cooperation of Head teachers in the State for the realization of Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa's administration laudable education policies and programmes for Deltans.

The Delta SUBEB Chairman stated this on Wednesday during a town hall meeting with Head Teachers across Burutu Local Government Area in Burutu town as part of the Board's efforts to synergize with the Local Education Authorities for effective and efficient service delivery in the primary education sector of the State.

Hon. Sunny Ogwu was represented by the Member representing Delta South Senatorial District in the Board, Mr. Paul Kurugbe reiterated the readiness and commitment of the Board to sustain the current efforts of Government of giving education a priority attention in line with Governor Okowa's policies in primary education.

While addressing the Head Teachers drawn from all the Public Primary Schools in Burutu Local Government Area, the SUBEB boss assured them that the Board will always protect and prioritize their welfare and charged them to adhere strictly to  the rules.

According to Kurugbe said; "The board will always protect you. Your welfare is our concern,  but you must do the right thing. It is no longer business as usual. Avoid unprofessional conducts and take your duties seriously", he stated.

Speaking further at the Town hall meeting which was described by participants as the first of its kind, the SUBEB Chairman harped on various issues bothering on transfer, indiscipline, nonchalant attitude towards official duties and urged the Head teachers to give in all their best for effective service delivery, adding that the State Government will continue to reward hard work and excellence as it has done in the past.

Some of the Head teachers who spoke at the one day town hall meeting expressed delight at the initiative, saying that it was the first of its kind.

While appealing to the Board to address some of their urgent needs, the participants unanimously urged the Chairman of the Board to sustain the laudable initiative and make it a quarterly exercise.

A similar town hall meeting was also held at Bomadi Local Government where the Chairman's representative, Mr. Paul Kurugbe parleyed with the Head Teachers and LEA Secretary in the Local Government Area whom he described as drivers of the State education programmes at the grassroot level and assured them of Government irrevocable commitment in promoting sound and quality education in the State.

The Urgent Need For Govt, Corporate Organizations In Harnessing The Popular Ayakoromo Olorogun Masquerade Festival Performances For Tourism Promotion In Nigeria

The Urgent Need For Govt, Corporate Organizations In Harnessing The Popular Ayakoromo Olorogun Masquerade Festival Performances For Tourism Promotion In Nigeria

By Ebikabowei Kedikumo


Culture is said to be the sum total of the way of life of a people comprising a unique body of belief and traditional institutions. What sums up the tourism attractions of a society are the material and non-material resources embedded in a community's tradition which include; beliefs, norms, values, traditional ceremonies and all that reflect their cultural existence as well as the bio-diversity of it's region.

A masquerade festival is a cultural festival involving procession, dance, songs, music, rituals, costumes. It is also a religious event where actors wear masks to represent supernatural or divine beings. The masquerades are very fundamental to the understanding of African societies and belief systems. In some places, they are believed to be the reincarnations of ancestors and messengers of traditional deities from the supernatural world. In Ijaw land, masquerades are believed to be representatives of the water spirits known as Owu or Oru. Onuora Nzekwu (1981) subscribes to this when he asserts that;

"in the Niger Delta and coastal tribes made of the ljaw sub-tribes and the Kalabari, masquerades represent gods, water spirits and village heroes and the dead . . . the bulk of their masquerades however, represent  manifestation of water spirits""

Clark (2006) also argues that "the Owu is probably the most popular medium of entertainment that the Ijaw possesses as a people. It is strictly a dance and festival put on by men. . . staged in the open to amuse members of the public"

Water spirits in ljaw land are regarded as human beings and they are believed to have personal strengths and deficiencies just like human beings. There is also this belief that human beings lived among these water spirits before being born. The function of prayer in the traditional ljaw system of belief is therefore, to maintain the living in the good graces of the water spirits among whom they dwelt before being born into this world. That  is why each year, the ljaws in various communities hold celebrations in honour of these water spirits. Central to the festivities are the masquerade dance performances in which men wearing elaborate outfits/costumes and carved masks (headdresses) dance to the beat of drums and manifest the influence of the water spirits through their performances. The Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival is one of such performances. The festival which started in  1937 is a cultural festival that is laced with spectacle such as masquerade dance, music, songs, ritual performances, costumes, mask and the theatre/drama. The festival is a period of merry making and feasting and it is the most significant event in Ayakoromo community. During such entertainment periods, people come from far and near to grace and witness the occasion. Peace and cordial relationships are maintained via mass participation in the performances that characterised the festival.

The seamy side is that this very critical traditional institution is fast eroding as a result of the influence of Western culture despite its significance in preserving, promoting and showcasing the glamour of the traditional African life. The Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival which is a traditional entertainment form has not been given the publicity commensurate to its worth in the society and it is described with derogatory words such as fetish, primitive and barbaric because of its associated roots in African traditional religion. This damage inflicted on the Olorogun masquerade festival calls for cultural revival and revolution. Nevertheless, the significance of the festival can not be overemphasized. It is a truism that Agriculture used to be the backbone of Nigeria's economy but after the discovery of crude oil in the early 1970s, attention was now shifted from agriculture to the oil sector. The concentration on the oil sector was so much that other sectors of the economy that could generate the much needed revenue were neglected. Tourism was one of the neglected sectors until very recently when the government of Nigeria started plans to develop it as a means of improving the socio-economic well being of the Nigerian people and diversify its economic base. The fact remains that Nigeria as a nation is endowed with both natural and material resources that can be harnessed to develop tourism in order to aid economic growth. Tourism implies the utilization of a people's cultural and natural resources such as festivals, beliefs, dances, diets, architecture, monumental buildings, shrines and so on. Most of these cultural and natural resources are centres for tourist activities.

Tourism also involves movement or travelling away from one's usual residence to other places far or near for recreation or pleasure. This is akin to the World Tourism Organization 's (1991) definition of tourism as comprising of;

"activities of persons travelling to and staying on a place outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year and not less than 24hours for leisure, holiday and other non- remuneration purpose""

Tourism therefore, embraces the incident of itinerant population of travelers who are visitors to places they visit. So tourism is an undertaking for the purpose of recreation rather than business and have the potentials to spur economic development and enhance lives in a sustainable framework. It is against this background that we examine the masquerade tradition of the Ayakoromo people and to see how it could be harnessed to promote tourism in the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large.

What makes the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade performances critical to tourism development is the performance aesthetics which attracts people from far and near. Mention has to be made of the merriments and side attractions organized by the audience in the form of beach parties, a candle-light night time procession, sporting activities, boat regattas and so on.

The grand finale of the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival is its second outing where Olorogun and other minor masquerades dance at the Ozubou playground. The Olorogun masquerade is an entertainer and evokes joy and happiness in the audience. It is a festival that attracts a mammoth crowd from all works of life who spend money within the community, augmenting and supporting local economy through restaurants, hotels and other businesses. The high inflow of day visitors into the community during the Olorogun masquerade performances contributes immensely to economic empowerment of the people. If the right resources are pumped into the festival, the festival can be packaged to attract tourists and this would become another vital source of revenue generation especially now that we depend solely on oil that will not last forever. This position lends credence to Hon. Tonye Timi's (2013) warning in his paper, "Reinventing a Nigeria without oil and Gas". He says;

"There is a peak and decline phase for our oil resources. We therefore, come to terms with the fact that our oil reserves are finite and will not last forever"

Therefore, it is now pertinent for us to start developing other great revenue earners like agriculture, non-oil mineral resources and tourism. The Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival if well harnessed is a great tourism resource and will help a lot in the tourism development of Ayakoromo Federated community, the Niger Delta and Nigeria at large. The greatest aspects of the role played by the  festival in boosting tourism development in Ayakoromo community is enmeshed in the activities marking the festival and the Olorogun masquerade performances. On such days, people gather from far and wide and pleasantries are exchanged. The gathering of people on such days exactly depicts what tourism is all about as it involves the temporary movement of people or persons from one destination to another. The movement here is to achieve some desired objectives like watching the aesthetics of the Olorogun masquerade dance performances during the festival. Photographs of the Olorogun masquerade taken and their audio and video tape recordings can be presented as our cultural heritage. The money given or realized from such endeavours could also be used in purchasing costumes for the masquerades and to keep the masquerade tradition alive.

Further to this, tourism helps to preserve the local culture and traditions of a community. During the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival, the visitors have a unique chance to interrelate with the local community thereby gaining a deeper understanding of the environment, customs and local culture which in turn leads to the preservation of the cultural heritage of the people.

Tourism is an industry that relies heavily on the people and the environment by attracting infrastructural facilities into the community. During the Olorogun masquerade festival, preparations are made to present a lively show. Flags of different colours are hosted in the community, houses painted, bushes cleared, all the solar street lights are fixed and costumes designed.  Generally, there is improved environmental sanitation as every nook and cranny of the community is kept clean during the period of the festival. The preparation itself adds glamour to the Ayakoromo community and makes it attractive and this is the essence of tourism.

Unfortunately, the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival  has not been well harnessed to play a significant role in the promotion of tourism development. Over the years, the performances merely dwell on the spectacular aspects without realizing their potentials for tourism development. Indeed, the festival's potentials for tourists attractions have not been fully developed. Therefore, it is imperative to encourage the organizers (Okosuotu masquerade cult) to look beyond mere performance as a step towards increasing tourists attraction. A festival of this magnitude with its cultural and performance aesthetics can be harnessed to promote tourism in the following ways.

First and foremost is the issue of a peaceful environment. Peace is a prime factor because a peaceful environment breeds sustainable development. The organizers should ensure that the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival is celebrated in a peaceful and conducive atmosphere.

Government should shift a little attention to the promotion of the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival based on its potentials by encouraging investors and stakeholders to develop the performance spaces as well as the community. Infrastructure must be made readily available. Professional bodies such as the National  Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and other bodies saddled with the responsibility of conserving, preserving, promoting, producing and utilizing cultural and material resources of Nigeria should come into the picture by modernizing the community and performance spaces like the Ozubou playground. Besides, roads,  hotels, electricity, pipe-born water, health care facilities among others must be developed. Above all, the Ayakoromo bridge must be completed. By so doing, the festival will help attract not only Nigerians but also foreigners.

Government should also encourage the organizers by announcing the festival days in government owned media like radio and television stations.

Efforts should also be made to televise the important aspects of the Olorogun masquerade festival by the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), African Independence Television (AIT), or CHANNELS Television. It could also be projected in culturally oriented programmes like GOGE AFRICA, the African Magic: Good Morning African Show, etc. This will of course , expose the cultural and artistic heritage of the Ayakoromo people to the world.

The truth is that  the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival needs cooperate sponsorship. In this regard, the communication giants like MTN, GLO, AIRTEL, etc,  and the media houses should play a critical role in promoting the festival as part of their corporate social responsibility.

A museum should be established in Ayakoromo Federated community to preserve cultural materials associated with masquerading and other oral performances. The festival's video recordings, the photographs, costumes, headpieces, drums and other traditional artefacts should also be preserved in such a museum as our cultural heritage for posterity. This preservation becomes imperative when one considers the fact that our oral treasures are going into oblivion.

The institute that deals with cultural matters like the Federal Ministries of Arts, Culture and Tourism should identify with these cultural resources and help to advertise and market the oral acts such as the Olorogun masquerade performances to the outside world for tourists attractions.

The tourism potentials of the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival are not in doubt. The festival is a cultural entertainment package through which the Ayakoromo community showcases its cultural endowments to visitors for tourist attraction. The festival can be developed to boost the socio-economic activities of the Ayakoromo people since members of the community will be involved in selling food, local materials, providing services in restaurants and hotels among others to countless visitors. The improvement in the economic activities will lead to better standard of living and well-being of the people. It is unfortunate that the festival is yet to have a significant impact on the socio-economic development of the Ayakoromo community.  The festival requires total support because of the important role it plays in the society; to promote  tourism for societal advancement and development. The festival should be properly organized to give it an international standard enjoyed by the  Osun Osogbo festival in Ijebu land, the Eyo festival in Lagos, the Argungun Fishing festival in Kebbi state and others across the country. Realizing well that tourism is utilized to expose, boost and stimulate a people's economy and creativity, it is my candid opinion that the Ayakoromo Olorogun masquerade festival in Burutu Local Government area of Delta State should be harnessed and encouraged. As J. P. Clark (1981) notes, "the masquerade can be, in fact, become a town's best advertiser."

EBIKABOWEI KEDIKUMO

CEPEJ Seeks Ways Of Collaborating With Nigerian Govt To Stabilize Peace And Security In The Country, As Femi Adesina Commends The NGO For Peace Advocacy

CEPEJ Seeks Ways Of Collaborating With Nigerian Govt To Stabilize Peace And Security In The Country, As Femi Adesina Commends The NGO For Peace Advocacy

Francis Tayor

Abuja____ The Special Adviser to President Mohammadu Buhari on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina has commended the Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ for its advocacy efforts towards ensuring unity and peaceful coexistence among Africans, particularly among Nigerians.

The Presidential Aide gave the commendation on Thursday at the Presidential Villa Abuja when he played host to a delegation of the Nigeria based NGO, Center for Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ in his office at the Presidency, Abuja.

Mr. Adesina urged CEPEJ to intensify and sustain its development and peace advocacy efforts, which he said were in line with the peace and development initiatives of the Buhari Administration.

He enjoined other civil society organisations in Nigeria and other African countries to emulate the starling example of CEPEJ, in order to make Nigeria, and indeed the continent investment Havens.

The CEPEJ team led by its National Coordinator and Chief Executive Officer, Comrade Sheriff Mulade, also included the Senior Programmes Manager of the NGO in Abuja, Mrs Nafisat  Amadu and its Lagos Office Corporate Communication Manager, Mrs. Victoria Ajayi.

Comrade Mulade had earlier explained CEPEJ's Vision and Mission to the Presidential spokesman on Media and Publicity, adding that the visit was for CEPEJ to seek ways of collaborating with the Presidency towards institutionalizing peace and security in Nigeria, so as to attract foreign and local investments into the country.

High point of the visit was the presentation of CEPEJ's 2020 Calendar, Newsletter and proposal on curbing environmental and security challenges in Nigeria.

Subeb Boss, Hon. Sunny Ogwu Calls For Collaboration Of Head Teachers For Effective Management Of Govt Schools Across Delta State

Subeb Boss, Hon. Sunny Ogwu Calls For Collaboration Of Head Teachers For Effective Management Of Govt Schools Across Delta State

..... Urges Teachers To Maintain Professional Ethics

Francis Tayor

Warri____ The Chairman board of State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) Delta State, Hon. Sunny Ogwu has called for the collaboration of head teachers to ensure effective management of government primary schools across the state.

He further appealed to all education officers, such as head teachers as well as class room teachers to maintain professional ethics in carrying out their duties, so as to sanitize the education system.

Hon. Ogwu who was represented by the 3rd member representing Delta South in Subeb, Mr. Paul Kurugbe made the call at Bomadi today 30th January, 2019 during a meeting with the Executive Secretary LEA Bomadi Local Government Area, Comr. Kirigha Oburumu and all head teachers in the LGA. He charged head teachers to monitor all the activities of class teachers in order to ensure effective teaching.

In responding to some of the issues raised at the meeting, Mr. Kurugbe assures head teachers to exercise some little patience, noting that they wiil soon benefit from the SBMC programme. He ask the LEA secretary to put into writing all their needs and forward it to Subeb, Asaba for prompt attention. He therefore, charged them to do their job diligently and respect constituted authorities in order to enable the system grow, the statement adds.

In his reaction, the Education Secretary  Bomadi LGA, Comr. K.C. Oburumu thank Subeb for the visit, especially for the provision of school uniforms and sandals to some pupils at Kpakiama primary school. He however, made an appeal for more teachers, rehabilitation of Bomadi LEA office, provision of toilet facilities, fencing of primary schools, provision of file jackets among others things needed for the effective management of government primary schools in Bomadi.

Some other education stakeholders present at the meeting includes; the CIE Bomadi LGA, Mrs. Olusola Ofunne, NUT Chairman Bomadi, Comr. Larry Selekekiye, Comr. Water-Owei.W, Chairman AOPSHON Bomadi LGA, Hon. Eneyi Doreen, Supervisory Councillor for education, Bomadi LGA, among others.

Subeb Boss Hon. Sunny Ogwu Calls For Collaboration Of Head Teachers For Effective Management Of Govt Schools Across Delta State

Subeb Boss Hon. Sunny Ogwu Calls For Collaboration Of Head Teachers For Effective Management Of Govt Schools Across Delta State

..... Urges Teachers To Maintain Professional Ethics

Francis Tayor

Warri____ The Chairman board of State Universal Basic Education (SUBEB) Delta State, Hon. Sunny Ogwu has called for the collaboration of head teachers to ensure effective management of government primary schools across the state.

He further appealed to all education officers, such as head teachers as well as class room teachers to maintain professional ethics in carrying out their duties, so as to sanitize the education system.

Hon. Ogwu who was represented by the 3rd member representing Delta South in Subeb, Mr. Paul Kurugbe made the call at Bomadi today 30th January, 2019 during a meeting with the Executive Secretary LEA Bomadi Local Government Area, Comr. Kirigha Oburumu and all head teachers in the LGA. He charged head teachers to monitor all the activities of class teachers in order to ensure effective teaching.

In responding to some of the issues raised at the meeting, Mr. Kurugbe assures head teachers to exercise some little patience, noting that they wiil soon benefit from the SBMC programme. He ask the LEA secretary to put into writing all their needs and forward it to Subeb, Asaba for prompt attention. He therefore, charged them to do their job diligently and respect constituted authorities in order to enable the system grow, the statement adds.

In his reaction, the Education Secretary  Bomadi LGA, Comr. K.C. Oburumu thank Subeb for the visit, especially for the provision of school uniforms and sandals to some pupils at Deinbonogha primary school, Oboro. He however, made an appeal for more teachers, rehabilitation of Bomadi LEA office, provision of toilet facilities, fencing of primary schools, provision of file jackets among others things needed for the effective management of government primary schools in Bomadi.

Some dignitaries present at the meeting includes; the CIE Bomadi LGA, Mrs. Olusola Ofunne, NUT Chairman Bomadi, Comr. Larry Selekekiye, Comr. Water-Owei.W, Chairman AOPSHON Bomadi LGA, Hon. Eneyi Doreen, Supervisory Councillor for education, Bomadi LGA, among others.

Nigeria Insecurity: Niger Delta Rights Activist Ozobo Calls For Sack Of Security Chiefs In The Country, Says They Have Failed To Protect Lives And Properties

Nigeria Insecurity: Niger Delta Rights Activist Ozobo Calls For Sack Of Security Chiefs In The Country, Says They Have Failed To Protect Lives And Properties

Francis Tayor

Warri____ In an interview with Quest TV on Wednesday 29th morning at Ughelli near Warri, Comrade Ozobo Austin, a Niger Delta Right Activist and National president Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI, has passed a vote of no confidence on Nigerian Security network as he called for sack of all security chiefs in the country.

He averred that no unity worth the lives of Nigerians, and that people should only promote unity that will secure and safeguard lives of Nigerians.

The activist said the North was opposed to Amotekun because such internal security arrangements were against its Islamization agenda.

The opinion leader added that Amotekun initiative clearly states that Nigerian Government had failed. He enjoined South-South and other venerable regions in the country to apply the laws of self-defense and right of personal liberty to decide how best their lives would be secured.

The Niger Delta activist also noted that Nigerian Government was a threat to the safety of Ijaws and Niger Delta at large as regards daily and incessant bombardments of Ijaw communities in the region on every slightest provocation.

He accused Nigerian government of playing politics with the activities of Boko Haram millitants in the country.

Ozobo further said herdsmen and Boko Haram were agents of the Northern Nigeria to intimidate Christians and Southern Nigeria to accept their Islamic agenda.

He further added that Nigeria was an expired marriage going by the 1914 amalgamation treaty. He stressed that no treaty for a period of hundred years remained valid and efforts should be made to restructure the country to avoid possible disintegration.

He equally reiterated that Nigerian Security system was loyal to a section of the country and Nigerians cannot afford to risked their lives by depending on such failed security system, Ozobo stated.

Subeb: Kurugbe Charges Head Teachers To Support Gov. Okowa In Delivering Quality Education For Deltans, Says Any Teacher Caught ln Unethical Act Will Be severely Dealt With

Subeb: Kurugbe Charges Head Teachers To Support Gov. Okowa In Delivering Quality Education For Deltans, Says Any Teacher Caught ln Unethical Act Will Be severely Dealt With

Francis Tayor

Warri____ The member representing Delta South Senatorial District in SUBEB, Mr. Paul Kurugbe has charged head teachers across the state to support the Executive Governor of Delta State, His. Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa in delivering quality education for Deltans by preparing a proper lesson notes before going to teach pupils in the class.

Mr. Kurugbe give the charge today 29th January, 2019 at the secretariat of Burutu local government area of Delta State, during a meeting with the Burutu LEA Secretary, Comrade Eserifa Rufus and all the head teachers under the local government area. He further pass a stern
warning to all head teachers that anyone caught in unethical act by imposing illegal fees to extort pupils will be severely dealt with, and that the Okowa led government will not tolerate such act.

According to him, said; " l am not here to harm you, rather to make things easy for you as head teachers. I want all head teachers to know your rights and position in the system. I have visited schools in lsoko, ltsekiri and urhobo areas and the system is well organized and wonderful.  When it comes to official assignment, l don't have brother neither sister because am coming to correct the system."

" ln the course of my tour across schools in the state, l discovered that most of our schools are in a pitiable situation whereby our head teachers are not found in school around 12:30pm. You all know that the official closing time for public schools is 2: pm. Am warning, if any head teacher close down school before the official time will be severely dealt with. In Delta State, there is no private primary school that pays salary more than the public schools. Why can't you carry out your responsibilities by doing the right thing!.

Have passion for your job and be committed to do the right thing at all time. There is a reward for hard work, hence put in your best to inculcate the correct knowledge to our pupils. Take note that the management of primary schools is the responsibility of SUBEB. While the LEA Secretary is directly responsible for supervising primary schools at the local government level. I want you to also note that the Chief lnspector of Education (CIE) is responsible for exams and standard of education system.

Don't be involved in illegal collection of money from pupils, because the moment you are caught, your job will be immediately terminated. That act is extortion of money and stealing, therefore stop it."

Speaking further, Mr. Kurugbe charged head teachers to always prepare their lesson notes before going to teach pupils in the class, stressing that without the lesson note, they cannot inculcate proper knowledge to pupils. He also called on the Burutu council boss to try monitor the activities of primary schools under his watch, noting that without proper monitoring, the system will crumble.

He therefore, urged all head teachers to join hands with His Excellency, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa to catapult the poor state of education to a greater height, Kurugbe asserted.

In his speech, the Burutu LEA Secretary, Comr. Eserifa Rufus calls for collective efforts of LEA staff in order to improve the system. He urged head teachers to improve on the standard of education in their respect schools. He noted that LEA is working under the Executive Chairman of Burutu LGA. Our function is to take directives from the council boss, as well as the state SUBEB management.

He further asked all head teachers to show good example by discipline themselves in accordance to the noble profession, stressing that the public are looking up to them." Monitor teachers transfer to your school and report back to me if there is any default, Comr. Rufus stated."

On his part, the Chairman Burutu LGA, Hon. Angele Godknows who was represented by the Secretary of the council, Hon. Sunny Perekeme thank each and everyone that honour the meeting, noting that such meeting is very important because it creates an avenue for us to interact and solve the challenges teachers are passing through in their place of work. He acknowledged that teachers have a very greater role to play in the society by inculcating the right knowledge to our children. He express anger on those teachers who refuses to report at their transfer area, stressing that anyone found guilty, the council boss will not take it lightly with them, he stated.

The NUT Chairman Burutu LGA, Comr. Ebisine Barry observed that all hands must be on deck, such as head teachers, LEA Secretary and the council boss must work as a team in order to improve the poor education standard in our schools. He assure that NUT is ready to work with the LEA Secretary, Council Chairman and other stakeholders so as to make Burutu one of the best performing LGA, in Nigeria, Comr. Ebisine noted.

In his part, the leader Burutu Legislative Arm, Hon. Joseph Fuludu, who was ably represented by Hon. Joe Izonowei assures teachers in Burutu of legislative  back up in their demands. He said the LEA administrative block would be included in the 2020 budget for speedy completion, so as to enable them carry out their day to day operation of activities. He urged Burutu LEA Secretary to give adequate staffing to all schools under his jurisdiction in order to balance the system.

High point of the visit was the inspection of the Burutu LEA Secretariat building that is almost 60% work done.

Subeb 3rd Member Paul Kurugbe Bags 2019 Frontline Newspaper Exceptional Award Of The Year, Assures Deltans Of Better Education System

Subeb 3rd Member Paul Kurugbe Bags 2019 Frontline Newspaper  Exceptional Award Of The Year, Assures Deltans Of Better Education System

Mejuya Tamaradoubra

Asaba____ The member representing Delta South Senatorial District in the State Universal Basic Education Board SUBEB, Mr. Paul Kurugbe yesterday 28th January, 2020 was honoured with an award as the 'Exceptional SUBEB' Representative (Delta South) of the year 2019.

The award was presented to him by the Editorial Board of the Front line Newspaper led by Dr. Chuks Awana at his office, Asaba.

Mr kurugbe who was awarded in recognition of his commitment towards the transformation of the Education sector barely six months in office. With this award, he
becomes the first representative to be so honoured with such prestigious award.

The award was presented by Dr. Chuks Awana and the Editorial team alongside princess Perekeme Josephine among others, having notice his fight against unprofessional conduct in education sector.

He describe "Mr. Kurugbe as a perfect gentle man with integrity who sees nothing but peace and doing the right thing at the right time, stressing that the major concern of Kurugbe is to see the Education sector grow and develop like other nations, Dr Chuks Awana stated.

In his statement, the SUBEB PM3, Mr. Paul Kurugbe thank the management and editorial board members of Frontline Newspaper for the honour bestowed on him. He expressed pleasure for being worthy of the award.

He therefore, dedicate the award to God Almighty and promise to put in his best to transform the education sector in accordance to Governor Okowa laudable education programmes for Deltans.

Ozobo Lauds Prince Amgbaduba For Return Of Peace In Umusadege Community, Urges Utagba-Ogbe People To Continue To Sustain Peace

Ozobo Lauds Prince Amgbaduba For Return Of Peace In Umusadege Community, Urges Utagba-Ogbe People To Continue To Sustain Peace

Francis Tayor

Warri_____ Former Delta State House of Assembly candidate in Burutu North, Hon. Comrade Ozobo Austin has lauded Prince Emman Amgbaduba, the Commissioner for oil and gas for resolving peacefully the about three week-long crisis between Midwestern Oil company and Umusadege Community at Utagba-Ogbe kingdom in Ndokwa West LGA of Delta State.

Ozobo thanked Umusadege Community for its peaceful disposition towards the ragging crisis in the community as he urged them to continued to pursue peace in the community.

He added that the Commissioner for Oil and Gas had proven to Deltans that he is poised to serve the state by displaying capacity in returning peace back to Umusadege Community.

He urged Deltans to continue to support the oil commissioner as his good works in the Oil ministry in his few months in office had surpassed works done by his predecessors in the history of the ministry of Oil and Gas in Delta State.

Don't Hinder Gov. Okowa Free Education Policy For All Deltans, Subeb 3rd Member Kurugbe Cautions Teachers Against Unprofessional Acts,

Don't Hinders Gov. Okowa Free Education Policy For All Deltans, Subeb 3rd Member Kurugbe Cautions Teachers Against Unprofessional Acts,

Francis Tayor

Asaba____ The Member representing Delta South Senatorial District in the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Mr. Paul Kurugbe has charged public Primary School teachers in the State to shun any unprofessional conduct capable of lowering the high educational standard set by the Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa.

The charge was given by the Board member when he paid an unscheduled visit to some Government Primary Schools in Warri South, Bomadi, Burutu and Isoko North Local Government Areas of the State.

The visit was coming on the heels of Governor Ifeanyi Okowa's directive for proper supervision of Schools, so as to ascertain the level of performance by both Staff and pupils.

Mr. Kurugbe who was accompanied by a team of Local Government  Education Authority  Secretaries and Quality Assurance department from the Board,  frowned at staff attitude to work, and asked them to desist from act that could sabotage government good intentions for education in the the state. He charged  Headteachers and Staff to see discipline as the hallmark, saying that government would not hesitate to punish anyone found wanting.

In his words, he said; " government free education policy should not be hindered by any act of indiscipline by introducing  unauthorized fee or levy ".

Mr. Kurugbe also  called on Local Education Authority Secretaries to embark on proper supervision  of teachers' classroom activities such as lesson notes and other teaching and instructional materials.

Reacting to the deplorable nature of some School buildings, lack of teachers and overpopulated Classrooms, the Board member stated that SUBEB would liaise with the appropriate bodies to do the needful. He also appealed to host Communities to assist in the maintenance of School infrasructures in their domain, encouraging  other Communities to take a cue from Ajamimogha Community which took control of the painting of Ikengbuwa Primary School fence in Warri South Local Government Area.

Mr Kurugbe Charged all Primary School Staff to be up and doing, as visits to their Schools will continue and will be unannounced, warning that any Staff caught or found wanting would be properly sanctioned. He also thanked them for their efforts, and assured them of better working relationship.

High point of the visit was Mr Kurugbe's  hearty commendation of Okpako Eunice Elohor, a teacher at Ikengbuwa Primary School Ajamimogha for exemplary conduct and orderliness. He also expressed satisfaction at the pupils' prompt response to general questions asked  them by the Board Member.

The Board Member who was excited  by the boldness and composure exhibited by Azazi Powede, pupil of Ebikeniye Primary School, Bomadi Local Government and Oghofeluo Wisdom of Azagba Primary School, Isoko North respectively, gave them new set of uniforms as motivation for answering questions posed at them correctly by the Board Member as well as to encourage other pupils to be outstanding in their performance.

Coastal Area Development Agency Bill, Tam Odogwu Commends Amb. Mulade For lnitiative, Charges Okowa, Delta Assembly For Speedy Passage

Coastal Area Development Agency Bill, Tam Odogwu Commends Amb. Mulade For lnitiative, Charges Okowa, Delta Assembly For Speedy Passage

Francis Tayor

Warri____ An ljaw youth leader and a two time former Delta State House of Assembly aspirant in the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Hon. Tam Godspower Odogwu has join his voice with other well meaning Deltans to commend the efforts of Amb. Sheriff Mulade for pushing the Coastal Area Development Agency (CADA) Bill to the office of the governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Sen Dr. Ifeanyi Arthur Okowa, as well as the speaker Delta State House of Assembly, Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori for consideration.

Hon. Odogwu said; " if there could be Effurun- Warri Area Development Board, and Asaba Capital City Development Agency, the riverine communities deserves more development attention. The reason was that, the coastal areas generates over 70% of the resources used to sponsor the state budget. It deserves more than such agency to provide adequate infrastructures for the riverine dwellers.

As we speak today, the riverine parts of Delta State is yet to have electricity, good roads, borehole water, good schools, health care facilities and many more. But the urban towns that contributes less than 30% of the resources are already enjoying such social amenities. Therefore, when this Agency is pass into law and created, it will help to fast track the needed social amenities to the riverine communities that feeds the state, he asserted."

However, Hon. Odogwu further appreciated all those behind the CADA Bill, especially the wonderful role played by the media in drawing the attention of the government and other authorities to look into the matter.

He finally, charged the Delta State government, as well as Delta State House of Assembly to quickly respond to the bill, stressing that the benefits of the agency cannot be overemphasized holding to the facts that, it will fast track development, as well as generate employment to our teeming unemployed youths out there in the society.

IPDI Lauds Sheriff On Coastal Agency Bill, Urges Okowa, Delta Assembly To Urgently Pass It To Law

IPDI Lauds Sheriff On Coastal Agency Bill, Urges Okowa, Delta Assembly To Urgently Pass It To Law

Warri_____The Ijaw People's Development Initiative, IPDI, has hailed Comrade Sheriff Mulade for initiating a Bill for coastal development agency in Delta State.

Comrade Sheriff Mulade who is the national coordinator of Centre For Peace and Environmental Justice, CEPEJ, was a former Delta State House of Assembly Aspirant in the 2019 general elections under the People's Pemocracy party, PDP.

The bill had been presented to His Excellency, Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the governor of Delta State and been also received by the honourable speaker of the Delta State House Of assembly which to be read for hearing in further sittings.

The most famous Pan-Ijaw group, IPDI, added that the bill was a well deserved one, and long expected and that when it is passed into law, it would be of a great benefits to the state and coastal areas of the state.

The group boss, Hon. Comrade Ozobo Austin said the coastal areas being the economy life-wire of the state needs a special attention and that the bill should be given a speedy and accelerated hearing.

He stressed that Sherriff Mulade giant strides should be commended by all well-meaning people of the state as the bill when passed into law would create a landmark history in the development of coastal areas in the state.

The group called on members of Delta State House of Assembly to embrace the bill with a view of given it an accelerated hearing, the statement adds.