Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has stated that his administration is poised to reposition the State on the path of prosperity.
He has also declared that the government is desirous to ensuring quality education for children in the State and bringing schools back to what they used to be.
Governor Fubara made the assertion when he received members of Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers State Wing, led by its Chairman, Comrade Collins Echikpu, on a ‘Thank you’ rally at Government House, Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
Represented by the Head of the State Civil Service, Dr George Nwaeke, the Governor, who noted that his administration is giving priority attention to health, education and agriculture, said his intention in the education sector is to change the narrative where parents take their children from public to private schools.
He expressed regret that the good old days when children of both the rich and poor schooled together in public schools are gone, and assured that public schools will soon take their rightful position in the State.
He said, “I want to say that the Government of Rivers State under the able headship of Sir Siminalayi Fubara has three very important agenda that will be in the front burner. Right from this year, 2024-2025, our budget will reflect a positive impact in the following areas: education, health and agriculture. We can solve other areas, but these three areas are the mother of every other area.
“We regret to observe that the good schools we attended that brought people from the village like me to sit in the same classroom with children of Ministers, Senators in the same class are no longer there. But, be rest assured that very soon, public schools will become what they were in those days.”
Governor Fubara stated that his administration’s decision to key into the Federal Government policy to elongate the service for teachers from 60 to 65 years of age was to ensure that capable hands were brought into the teaching profession.
The Governor emphasized that the gesture is for only teachers registered with the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), urging teachers yet to register with TRCN to do so to qualify to benefit from the new policy.
He added, “Today, you are here and I want to thank you for coming to appreciate a man that deserves appreciation. But let me tell you the spirit behind the five years that we added for you.
“The Governor decided to adopt this particular policy of elongating the service years for teachers so that those of you who are less than 30 years and are still here, will still have many years to work. You will be 65 years of age before you go home or you would have put in 40 years of service, whichever one comes earlier. The spirit behind it is to bring the good hands from wherever they are into the teaching profession.
“This particular gesture is for only people that are going to teach and only people that are qualified teachers. So, those of you who do not want to belong to Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN), please, you are not part of it. You must all go and register and become qualified teachers.”
He noted that his administration has favoured teachers in no small measure, and will continue to put them in the front burner.
Governor Fubara, however, urged the teachers to reciprocate government kind gesture by taking their work seriously and ensure that students excel in all examinations, a situation that will witness migration of students from private schools to public schools.
He said, “Let me tell the world, this Governor has favoured teachers and will continue to do so. The Teachers’ House that you have been struggling for over five years, the Governor approved and released the sum of N250million for you to complete it. Also, 22 Permanent Secretaries have been appointed since January, and now, amongst them, about 15 are teachers.
“When we have committed this level of resources, we will not want in any way for you to joke with the Government of Rivers State and her interest of ensuring that there is quality education for our children.
“One thing that you will use to say thank you to the Governor is to go back and find the missing link. This is another academic session, when you go home, those of you who are in primary school session, go and ensure that our children will become one of the best in National Common Entrance examination. Go back and make our schools to be the pride of this State. The Governor will be very happy to hear that our children were the best in the National Common Entrance. We will be very happy to hear that our children are the best in West African School Certificate examination in the country. We will be very happy to hear that our children are the best in JAMB. The Governor wants to see a situation where there will be a migration of people from the so-called private schools to our government organized schools.”
He also urged them to exercise their civic responsibility in the October 5 local government election without mortgaging their conscience, and also educate parents to advise their children not to cause violence during the polls.
Earlier, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), Rivers State Wing, Comrade Collins Echikpu, said the visit was to commend and appreciate the Governor for his wonderful achievements in the State aimed at bettering the welfare of Rivers people, in spite of several distractions.
Comrade Echikpu particularly lauded the Governor for approving the new retirement age of 65 years and length of service of 40 years for Teachers of Rivers State, and the appointment of about 15 teachers to the position of Permanent Secretaries, saying that no teacher will forget the gesture in a hurry in the State.
He informed the Governor that the Teachers’ House (NUT State Secretariat), which he donated the sum of N250million for, is on the verge of completion, and pledged members’ unalloyed loyalty to the administration and readiness to support, promote and enhance the mission and vision for the development of the State.
He said, “On behalf of teachers of Rivers State, we are appreciative of your teacher-friendly disposition, which you have openly said and demonstrated and the manifestation of such is very visible in your reactions and policies as it concerns the teaching profession. Sir, we are grateful and assure you Sir, that Teachers of Rivers State will not take these uncommon gestures for granted.
“Your Excellency, Teachers of Rivers State are here today rejoicing, jubilating, singing praises because of your magnanimity in graciously approving and announcing the New Retirement Age of 65 years and length of service of 40 years for Teachers of Rivers State.
“Thank you also Your Excellency for the appointment of 15 of our teachers to the position of Permanent Secretaries. We are sure they will not disappoint you.
“Our indefatigable Governor, the SIM that never fails, we are thankful and sincerely appreciative of this goodwill. We are humbled, and no teacher will forget this in a hurry. Your name will never be forgotten in every home in Rivers State because the teacher is everywhere and their lives have been touched positively.
“I want to also report that the Teachers’ House (NUT State Secretariat) is on the verge of completion, courtesy of Your Excellency, through your benevolence of donation of N250million. Your Excellency, the story of this will be fully told on the day you will come for commissioning of The Teachers’ House.
“The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT), with her teeming members, pledge our unalloyed loyalty to you and your administration. We declare that we are readily available to support, promote and enhance your mission and vision for the development of Rivers State,” he added.