Revamp of 230 schools: Parents, other stakeholders laud Obaseki

Governor Godwin Obaseki

As contractors mobilize to site for the commencement of rehabilitation work on 230 public primary schools across Edo State, parents and other stakeholders in the education sector have commended Governor Godwin Obaseki for prioritizing the reform of basic education in the state.
A cross-section of stakeholders who spoke to journalists said the state government has shown uncommon commitment to the basic education sector, starting with the training of over 7000 teachers on the use of digital tools to teach in primary schools across the state.
They said that the renovation of schools across the state has put paid to complaints that the teachers would teach in dilapidated schools, noting that the exercise shows that the governor is not just systematic in his approach to problems, but also sincere.
A parent, Mrs. Omoh Abhulimen, from Esan South East Local Government of the state, said the intervention of the state government is a rescue mission to save public education at the basic level.
“After training teachers on modern methods of teaching, it was only appropriate that the state government embarks on major repair of schools with dilapidated structures to ensure children learn in a conducive environment,” she said.
Another parent, Mr. Micheal Obi, whose children were relocated to another school as a result of the state of infrastructure in their school, commended the state government for approving the 230 schools for refurbishment.
“After the renovation work, my children will have the chance to return to their school. We are really happy that schools are being worked on. It is not every government that places this emphasis on primary schools. It is worth commending.”
Favor Ikponmwosa, who lives in Egor Local Government Area of the state, expressed appreciation to the governor for listing Eweka Primary School among the schools in the first phase of the renovation work, and said: “I thank Governor Obaseki for remembering our children.”
A resident of Akoko Edo Local Government Area, Mrs. Bose Itsemhe, said “I am happy they are coming to fix the school here in my area. Those of us with children attending the school will monitor the progress of work and help in safeguarding the school from vandals.”
Recall that during a meeting with contractors, Governor Godwin Obaseki vowed to prosecute contractors who deliver sub-standard work on the 230 public primary schools being refurbished by the state government.
A School-based Management Committee (SBMC) has been put in place to ensure that the schools are well run and whatever has been provided for the schools are not vandalised.

Source: The Nation

Militants 'Resume Attacks' On Pipelines in Niger Delta

Yengoa — Suspected militants may have renewed hostilities against oil companies operating in the Niger Delta.

For example, a group yesterday claimed it was behind the attack on an oil pipeline at Koluama community in the Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the state.

The Friday explosion reportedly damaged the pipeline belonging to Conoil.

The group, Koluama Seven Brothers, in statement by one Angel Michael, described the attack as a warning, saying: "Our early morning hours' strike of 12:20 a.m., January 4, 2018, at Angel II field of Conoil is just a warning to Conoil, King Solomon, and his cartel. If Conoil and King Solomon fail to address the issues behind the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), scholarships, job creation for peace and love of the Koluama clan, then we (will have) no other option (but) launch a strike to shut down Conoil."

A youth leader in the community, Henry Omietimi, confirmed the explosion, saying his deputy, a member of a security outfit in the area, briefed him on the incident.

He, however, said he was still investigating the development with a view to ascertaining if it was indeed an attack or the aftermath of a burst pipeline.

Some residents of the area feared the explosion signaled the resumption of hostilities by militants. They claimed the loud noise was consistent with previous attacks on oil facilities.

Also, a source at the oil firm, who pleaded anonymity, said the incident has unsettled the minds of workers, leaving many unsure what could happen next.

The spokesman of the Bayelsa command of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), Mr. J. N. Harcourt, said he was yet to receive full details from the officer in charge of Koluama due to poor network signals.

Secretary General of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC) Alfred Kemepado, however, condemned the attack.

He said the destruction of oil facilities worsen environmental conditions for people of the area, urging the group to shun violence in its agitation for a better Niger Delta.

He nevertheless said he was of the "opinion that the Federal Government and her allies should be held responsible for the unending reactions from the region.

I had expected sincere attention to be given to people of the region by the President Buhari administration. Instead, even the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) that used to work a bit has been totally politicised under this administration."

He said further: "The Federal Government and multinational companies operating within the region must come up with sustainable policies to deliberately employ more of our indigenous people at all levels of employment and also qualify them for such jobs."

Source: The Guardian