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Team Sheriff Onyeme Distributes Relief Materials  To Five IDP Camps

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Hill Nigeria
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By Lucy Ezeliora

Team Sheriff /Onyeme has commenced the distribution of relief materials to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) affected by the floods that has ravaged 19 LGAs in the state.

Speaking during the visit, Sir. Monday Onyeme  disclosed that the government has opened up distribution centres at various locations to receive the relief materials from Team Sheriff /Onyeme and other individuals who wish to support the displaced persons.

“According to him, all the eight LGA’s in Delta South, six LGAs in Delta North, and five LGAs in Delta Central Senatorial Districts have been taken over by flood.

While commiserating with victims of the flood disaster and affected communities, Onyeme urged them to move to safer places while waiting for intervention from government and other individuals.

Onyeme urged the displaced persons to remain calm stating that in a very short time by God’s grace the situation will be over and everyone will return to their various homes. 

Items donated include bags of Rice, Yam, Cow, Beans, Onions, palm Oil, indomie and other utensils 

He commended Senator Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa  for his intervention to cushion the adverse effects of the flood on the people by setting up various IDP Camps across the various affected LGAs in the State.

One of the flood victim,  Mrs Chidinma Ifeoma, Chukwuora who spoke on behalf of the IDPs thanked team Sheriff Onyeme group  for coming to their aid by providing the food items to the camp. They pleaded with the Team to visit them again as soon possible. 

The IDP Camps visited are Oneh Primary School Asaba, Ogbeafor Primary School Asaba, Ewulu Primary School in Aniocha South Local Government Area and  Utagogbe Technical College, kwale in Ndokwa West, LGA respectively.

Among the dignities present include the Deputy Speaker, Delta  State  House of Assembly Hon. OchorOchor Christopher, Director of Protocol, Government House, Hon. Ifeanyi Egboigbe, PDP Candidate for  House of Representatives, Ndokwa Constituency, Hon. Nnamdi  Ezechi, Chairman, Oshimili South Local Government Area, Hon. Kelvin Obi Ezenyili,  Commissioner for Humanitarian and Community Support Services, Dr. Darlington ijeh, Commissioner for Youth, Ifeanyi Egwuwenyenga, D.G Orientation, Barr. Eugene Uzum, PDP House of Assembly Candidate for Ndokwa East, Prince Emeka Osamota, PDP State House of Assembly Candidate for Oshimili South. Hon. Bridget Ayafulu and others. 

Ashiwhu Pays Unscheduled Visit To Some Canals In The State

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Hill Nigeria
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… Urges Deltans To Desist From Blocking Canals

In a bid to ensure that the inflow of water is drastically reduced in Delta State, the Commissioner for Environment, Hon. Godspower Asiuwhu has paid an unscheduled visit to some of the canals undergoing desilting in the state.

Hon. Asiuwhu said the inspection was to access the level of work performance at some of the canals in the state.

He said that it would help mitigate the effect of flood across the state, adding that when individuals and communities help in cleaning up their environment, there would not be blockage of waste in the canals.

While addressing Pressmen at Shegede Canal in Ughelli North, the Commissioner said the canal which before now had water at high level  but reduced when the culverts were desilted,  would link water flowing from Isoko axis down to the forest in Otu Jeremi in Ughelli South Local Government Area.

He commended the operators of the swamp buggy at the various locations visited for been active and ensuring that they deliver effective services.

The Commissioner also disclosed that a committee has been set up to access the well kept LG in the state.

The representative of the contracting firm, Mr Ariaja Austine, called for extension of the scope of work so as to enable other areas affected by the flood to benefit.

On his part, Obi Mohammed Elunor, appreciated the prompt intervention of the governor to the reducing flood in camp 74 community.

Speaking, the Chairman of Dennis Osadebay Fish Cluster, Mr Loveday Takim commended the governor for coming to their aid, and said with the quick response, fish farmers would not suffer much lost as in the past. 

He however called for provision of farm input such as fingerlings and feeds so that they can continue in their businesses.

Expressing delight over the gesture of the governor, the Chairman of Sapele/Okpe Local Government Council, Chief Onoriode Tamiagin commended the efforts of the governor for opening up the natural water way for free flow  and requested for more of such support as some part of Sapele were affected by flood.

In the same vein, the Youth Secretary of Mosogar, Mr Robert Edijana said with the desilting of the canal, the community would not be affected by flood.

Some of the places visited were the Camp 74 river in Anwai. Shegede canal on Ughelli North, the canals at Mosogar, new Sapele road, AT and P river Ethiope and Utite in Sapele.

DTSG Approves Licence To Bina E Cooking Gas Plants, Others.

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Hill Nigeria
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…Set To Ensure Safety Measures In Public Gas Dispensing

Delta State Government has approved and issued licence of some oil and gas plants, as well as fuel station in the state for operational purpose.

The Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Prince Emmanuel Amagbaduba made this known while presenting the operational license and certificate of operation to the operators at his office in Asaba.

According to the Commissioner, the approval was made by the governor and Vice Presidential candidate of People’s Democratic Party, (PDP), after personally verification that the Ministry have certified that the operators were  compliant with all the state government rules and regulations for operation.

He said following the last gas plant explosion in Agbor and effect on the victims, which led to the certification of gas plants in the state so as to avoid reoccurrence.

While advising the operators to keep maintaining safety in their business places, he said efforts were been made to sensitize the gas retailers on the safety measures so as to avoid reoccurrence of the last fire outbreak.

The Commissioner said that as a Ministry, they would up their games in ensuring that  the era of selling gas from vehicle or selling petroleum from gallon on the road side is over.

In his remark, the Chief Executive Officer of Bina E Cooking Gas plant and Oil Limited, Mr Alexander Okunbor, thanked Governor Okowa for the opportunity given to them, to stand out in their service delivery.

Okunbor said that with an understanding of the hazard and implications of operating without safety precautions, he would see to it, that he and other operators given licences for operation would ensure safety while rendering their services.

He, however frowned at the dishonesty amongst road side sellers of gas product, who shortchange their clients to make profit and also called on the state government to see that young ones and untrained road sellers of the products were kicked out of the streets.

Every Girl Child Deserves To Be Heard-Unobunjo

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Hill Nigeria
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The Chairperson, Nigeria Association of Women Journalists NAWOJ, Delta State Chapter, Comrade Sonia Unobunjo has said the Girl Child can attain whatever level of success she wants to achieve in life if only she could dedicate her time, and be committed to it.

Unobunjo stated this when she led the executive and members of the NAWOJ Delta to Government Model Secondary Asaba, in commemoration of this year’s International Day of the Girl Child in Asaba.

She said as females, they deserve to be heard and not underestimated as a result of their gender.

Comrade Unobunjo admonished female students of the school to always have confidence in themselves, work hard by giving extra time to their studies and always aim high.

She added that, there was no limit to the height which  the Girl Child can attain, as she cited the likes of Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala and other notable women who were making waves in the society, adding that they started from smaller beginning.

Fielding questions from the female students  who  bared their minds on several challenging issues, Comrade Unobunjo gave some positive advise and encouraged them to be steadfast.

She said the United Nations declared the International Day of the Girl Child as an annual event to be celebrated on October 11.

Criminal Procedure Law (CPL) Has Attracted Increasing Criticism Over Time -Bozimo.

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Hill Nigeria
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By Onoriode Etatsemi.

The Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Delta State, Mr Isaiah Bozimo has identified reasons which subjected the Criminal Procedure law to Criticism Over the past twenty years.

Mr Bozimo made this observation while delivering his speech on the occasion of the opening Ceremony of the 2022/2023 Legal year at the Ceremonial Hall, High Court of Justice, Asaba, Delta State.

The Honourable Attorney-General said that the principal statutes governing Criminal Procedure are excessively inflexible and have not achieved their intended purpose of improving the administration of criminal Justice.

Mr Bozimo maintained that the Criminal trial process remains protracted, and awaiting-trial inmates as opposed to convicted inmates constitute approximately 80 percent of the population in the Custodial Centres across the State.

He revealed that to address the criticism and as well improve public confidence in the Criminal Justice System, the Ministry of Justice embarked on an extensive consultative process with a call for memoranda in November 2021 which culminated in a one-day stakeholder engagement in May 12, 2022.

The Stakeholder engagement coalesced views from the Judiciary, Nigerian Bar Association, Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Correctional Service,United Nations office for Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), amongst others.

“Based on the aforementioned, His Excellency, the Governor of Delta State has presented the Delta State Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, 2022, to the House of Assembly for legislative action”

“The bill has a single policy goal which was aimed at maximizing efficiency and fairness in the Criminal Justice System and to provide an integrated set of reforms such that ensures trial procedures are appropriate to the nature and seriousness of the alleged Offence, allocates cases between High Court and Magistrates’ Court more effectively for remand proceedings” he Stated.

Other set goals of the 2022 Administration of Criminal Justice Bill, according to the Attorney-General, are streamlined pre-trial procedure to remove unnecessary steps, assist with case management in the Court, provide adequate incentives and sanctions on parties to fulfill their obligation to progress cases and to ensure that criminal procedure is accessible and can adapt appropriately to a changing environment.

“The Governor of Delta has equally presented the Delta State Administration of Civil Justice Bill, 2022 to the House of Assembly for legislative action”. He added.

He explained that the Administration of Civil Justice bill provides the foundation for a comprehensive overhaul of civil Justice system in Delta State .

The Honourable Attorney-General stated further that in February this year, the Delta State Sex Offenders Register was opened and incorporated into the National Database of the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Person ( NAPTIP) which offers a system for monitoring and tracking sex offenders following their release into the community.

He affirmed that the Ministry of Justice through its Domestic Violence Unit, secured seven conviction between March and September this year, while details of each convict has been entered into the State Register and National Database.

He added that the Delta State Taskforce on Human Trafficking has in collaboration with NAPTIP , rescued fifteen victims of Trafficking and facilitated the arrest of four suspected traffickers just as they have referred 14 victims of traffickers for rehabilitation and reintegration.

Okowa Assures Judiciary of More Synergy

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta State governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa, has assured the state judiciary of more collaboration from the state government.

Gov. Okowa gave the assurance during the  special court session held to mark the commencement of the 2022/2023 Legal Year of the state judiciary, in Asaba.

The governor who was represented by the state’s Head of Service, Mr Reginald Bayoko, said the judiciary would receive the support of the state government, which would in turn enhance the dispensation of justice in the state.

He added that it would be extended to strengthen the judiciary in the state in the discharge of their statutory responsibility.

 He however commended the judiciary for striving to uphold their independence despite the challenges facing them.

He pointed out that the state government have done a lot to support the judiciary.

The governor expressed gratitude to the State Chief Judge and the judiciary for maintaining a robust relationship with the Executive and Legislative arms of government.

In her address, the state Chief Judge, Justice Tessy Diai, said that the legal year celebration is rooted in the English Common Law tradition, of which Nigeria legal system is an off- shoot, adding that the church service which was held as part of the activities was in recognition of God’s preeminence as the ultimate judge who dispenses justice with fairness and without fear or favour.

 

Justice Diai disclosed that beyond the ceremonial formalities associated with the new legal year celebration, the  occasion  offers the judiciary opportunity for self appraisal, stock taking, dissemination of information to help the legal community and the general public with regards to its activities in the preceding year.

 

She highlighted some of the achievements of the state judiciary in the areas of infrastructural development, capacity building and staff welfare and promised that more improvement will be noticed in the year subject to availability of funds.

 

The Delta state chief judge explained that some of the challenges facing the judiciary includes shortage of judges, lack of comfortable court halls, modern office furniture and equipment and dilapidated physical structures. She declared that shortage of judges affects the performance of serving judges but stated that the ongoing efforts to appoint five judges for the High court and two Customary court of Appeal have received approval from the governor.

She appealed to the Executive and Legislative arms responsible for the preparation and appropriation of funds to increase the budget provision of the judiciary to enable it carry out its constitutional duties. Stressing funding the judiciary has remained the single biggest challenge which has stiffled it’s development in many fronts.

Also speaking at the special court session, the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Isaiah Bozimo, revealed that the Ministry have made efforts to strengthen its officers by  focusing on continuous training and development. He said that another area is the cross- training of legal officers to be familiar with all the practice areas.

Barr. Bozimo noted that in their capacity as public prosecutor, the ministry will continue with its long standing tradition of engaging closely with stakeholders particularly the private Bar and the Bench.

He emphasized that the ministry has a strong relationship with the Bar, which is aimed at improving the criminal justice system through the Administration of Criminal Justice Monitoring Committee .

Earlier at the special thanksgiving mass held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic church Asaba, the Bishop of Issele- Uku Diocese, His Lordship, Most. Rev. Dr. Michael Odogwu Elue in his homily, told the congregation that the pursuit of peace is more than a wish but an obligation.

Bishop Elue maintained that the role of the judiciary in a democracy is to hold the hold the Executive and Legislative arms of government accountable and to protect the interest of the minority.

The Cleric appealed to jurists, intellectuals and people of good will to respect the rights to life, marriage and family life and to protect the vulnerable.

He prayed for the spirit of wisdom and honest judgement for the judiciary in the execution of their tasks .

Highlight of the event was the  inspection of guard of honor of officers and men of the  state Police Command, by state Chief Judge as part of the activities to mark the beginning of the 2022/2023 legal year in the state.

 

DTSG Distributes Oil Palm Seedlings To Farmers

By
Hill Nigeria
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Delta State Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Dr. Godfrey Enita  has revealed that a total of 1.5 million oil palm seedlings have been distributed to 1500  small holder farmers in the state.

 

Enita made this known during the flag off of the distribution of oil palm seedlings to farmer in Asaba.

He said the distribution of the farm input has been possible since the Okowa’s administration for cultivating in 2700 hectares of land across the state.

 

The Commissioner said it shows the state governor’s commitment and desire to encourage small holder farmers in this category in oil palm growing.

 

Enita said the governor knowing the importance of oil palm and its value chain has encouraged oil palm farmers in the state.

 

He said distribution of the oil palm have commenced in all the three places where they have the nurseries, that is in Ejeme Unor, Aragba Okpe and Oleh.

 

While speaking on modalities put in place to help farmers in flooded area, he said effort are been made to ensure that they receive support from the state government.  

 

On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Ben Agamah, commended the farmers for their contribution towards food security.

 

The General Manager, Tree Crop, Mr Peter Tanno revealed that ahead of the event, oil palm seedlings has already been distributed to farmers in the state to ensure that all oil farmers in the state benefits from the gesture.

 

Speaking the Secretary, Oil Palm Association of Nigeria, Mr George Ajaboh expressed delight towards the offer from the state governor, adding that he was impressed to have a farmer friendly governor, who has shown concern towards farmers yearly. 

Ajaboh said oil palm was an investment for farmers that can stand the test of time as it was sustainable. 

 

Another oil palm farmer, Mr Anthony Tuwon Oloye, said with the empowerment given to them, he would be able to support farmers in ensuring that they eradicate hunger. 

 

He thanked the governor for his support and considering the small scale farmers  by techniques supply of seedlings and others.

Re: Residents Protest Lives Threatening Erosion Caused By PDP Stalwart In Asaba

By
Hill Nigeria
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It is unfortunate that someone would sponsor persons carrying placards to tarnish another’s image and then called it a protest. What was seen in that sponsored protest was a charade, intentionally planned to make a report to malign and discredit the person of the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Delta State, Hon. Anthony Anukwu.

This Rejoinder is to correct the misinformation churned out by no other person than the sponsor of the said biased protest and main culprit himself, Mr. Joseph Obi.

According to Hon. Anukwu, “This issue started in 2017 when petitions started flying up and down that my property which I acquired from the Ezechie’s family of Okpanam was on a road and claiming that it was also built on water channel. There was a building already in the land when I acquired it and in fact I have not even done anything therein.

“As claimed by the said Joseph Obi that they had written severally to the Government of Delta State through the Ministry of Lands, I have as well been going to defend the land, in fact with the family that sold it to me. The Ministry of Land has said times without number that I never built on the road nor blocked the waterways.

“Having brought the Land’s map to ascertain the cause of the erosion in the area, it was actually confirmed that the said Joseph Obi who bought a land meant to be a road, built on it and closed the road, which today serves as Joseph Obi Street, Airport View Estate.

“The said Joseph Obi is not an indigene of this area neither was he involved in the plotting of the land in the area. He is a co-tenant like me. So how is he now the one determining where a road or waterways should be?”, Hon. Anukwu questioned.

From all indications and verifiable authorities, Joseph Obi bought the land meant for road which he built on and eventually closed the road. Following an on the spot assessment of the erosion ravaged road, it was clear that water must definitely find its way.

Now water usually comes from the other street to join the T-Junction road which is now the Joseph Obi Street and meant to flow down through where the house of the said Joseph Obi is. Unfortunately, he had built on the road and blocked it with his house, denying water its natural access.

However, what Joseph Obi did when he noticed that flood was ravaging the area as a result of the blockage caused by his house, he now blocked the erosion half way into the road again and channeled it into another road created as a result of the erosion.

As a result of the effect of the erosion which couldn’t abate, Joseph Obi then allegedly turned back to start accusing Hon. Anukwu of blocking the waterways using the media, when in actual sense his property had nothing to do with the water channel.

It is evident that water will always find its route, which from the physical assessment of the area indicated no sign at all that the flood water in the area was meant to pass through Hon. Anukwu’s land or property.

As earlier confirmed, “the new owners of the area – the Umuodafe village of Ibusa, led by Chief Fred Ajudua had been here to verify the cause of the erosion and they gave their verdict that Joseph Obi’s house should be demolished for being on the road and blocking the waterways. What more do we need to ascertain that he is the actual culprit causing untold hardship on residents, as occasioned by his blockage of the waterways in the area?”, Anukwu had asked.

In addition, Anukwu continued, “I find Joseph Obi’s outbursts against me as a case of a thief being pursued and while running, he kept on shouting thief, thief. Those who came out to assist with the arrest of the thief could not know who exactly was the actual thief.

“On this note, for maligning, discrediting and denigrating my hard earned name and image, I have briefed my lawyers to activate a legal action against Joseph Obi, except he retracts his unfounded and fabricated story against me and apologises in seven days”.

“I, Hon. Anthony Anukwu unequivocally demand that Joseph Obi must apologise for misinforming the public about my person or face the full weight of the law”, he posited.

DTSG Assures Farmers Of More Support.

By
Hill Nigeria
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… As Agric Commissioner Visit Beneficiaries Of DCARES Result Area 2

Delta State,  Commissioner for Agriculture, Dr. Godfrey Enitan has assured farmers in the state of more support from the state government.

Enitan gave the assurance during a joint monitoring visit to sub project sites of beneficiaries of Delta State Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic stimulus (D-CARES) Programme under Result Area 2 being implemented by the State FADAMA Co-ordination Office (SFCO) in Igbodo and Obinomba respectively.

He said it would help improve food security in the state.

He said the state Government was ready and committed to support small, medium and large scale farmers in the State by providing them with agricultural inputs and other necessary supports, having come to get a firsthand information of their problems and challenges.

While commending the beneficiaries he promised them of the unrelenting and co-ordinated support of the Ministry in achieving food security in the State, adding that the Ministry of Agriculture has a crop of very seasoned and experienced staff who were ever ready and willing to help when consulted.

On his part, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr Ben Agamah thanked the farmers for being committed to the successful use of all the Agricultural inputs and assets given to them and for managing their farms.

He commended the farmers for remaining steadfast in their business despite the challenges of getting feed for their pigs.

He advised the pig farmers, who had earlier complained about the high cost of feeds, to learn to use alternative and cheaper sources of feed such as cassava peels and vegetables as substitutes so as to reduce the effect of the rising cost of feeds, he also advised the farmers to team up and order for feeds at the same time from major distributors so as to reduce cost.

He emphasized that the present cost of transportation of goods was another factor affecting the cost of feeds and disclosed to them that the State Government under Governor Okowa had graciously established three feed mills, one at Expan, Warri South LGA, which is currently operational, another at Owanta in Ika North East LGA which had been completed before it was vandalized.

He however said that the consultant had been asked to go back to site and that the mill would soon be operational before the end of the year.

The Technical Head D-CARES Result Area 2 Mrs Judith Kayode, while addressing the farmers told them that the Hon. Commissioner and the PS were on inspection tour so as to confirm the activities of D-CARES RA2 and report back to the State Government.[

In another development, the benefiting farmers at Igbodo community, speaking through their Chairman Mr. Celestine Ofuokwu complained of insecurity and very ugly menace of herdsmen, saying that many of their crops farms were subjected to regular attacks and destruction by herdsmen and their cattle.

They therefore pleaded for government intervention to save them from imminent hunger and scarcity.

On his part, The President General of Igbodo Community Mr. Igah Peter thanked the State Government for the programme, saying that the intervention had taken the community to another level of agricultural production and food security.

At Obinomba Community in Ukwuani LGA, the farmers again thanked the State Governor, Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa for keying into the CARES programme and that as beneficiaries, the programme has in no small way helped them to bounce back into agricultural production after the devastating effect of the Covid-19 pandemic 

 

Okowa Extol teachers Role In Nation Building.

By
Hill Nigeria
-

By Christy Aboghe

Delta State governor and Vice Presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa has commended the major role played by teachers in nation building.

Governor Okowa who was represented by the Commissioner for Secondary Education Mrs Rose Ezewu, gave the commendation during the 2022 Teacher’s Day Celebration, with the theme ‘Transformation of Education Begins With Teachers’, at Cenotaph in Asaba, the state capital.

The Commissioner Secondary Education affirmed governor Okowa’s support to the educational sector, in ensuring more effective service delivery.

The Commissioner  Basic Education, Hon Sunday Onoriode and his counterpart, Technical Education,  Mrs Diabor felicitated with teachers in the state and encouraged them to put in their best in the discharge of their duties with a view to transforming the educational sector.

On his part, the state Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, (NUT), Mr  Titus Okotie  called on the State governor, to accord  teachers their pride of place in the social economic development of the state, and also recruit more teachers among  other demands.

Mr Okotie noted that salaries were being delayed, as a result of the inclusion of  minimum wage by the government to Teacher’s salaries.

In a lecture delivered by Mr Sunday  Efago  said the  theme “Transformation of education begins with teachers” was apt as it had become necessary to ensure the  prompt  payment of  Teacher’s salaries  to enable them deliver on their professional mandates, as well as the payment of their pensions after retirement.

He also advised teachers to opt their game in their chosen profession to enable them build a solid educational background for pupils and student

While speaking with Journalists, the  state Secretary of the union, Mr  Dan Basime acknowledged that teachers were the engine to the educational system, and re echo the need for them to be provided with opportunities, that would motivate them to embrace the challenges of the 21 century.

Highlight of the event was the match pass by the teachers in the 25 Local Government Areas of the state.

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