Wike orders release of teachers’ arrears

By Victor Azubuike

As part of measures to boost the morale of Teachers, the Rivers State Government has directed the Chairman of the State Civil Service Commission to ensure the prompt release of teachers’ promotion and payment of arrears due them.

The State Governor, Nyesom Wike stated this, in commemoration of the 2015 World Teachers’ Day Celebration, in Port Harcourt with the theme “Empowering Teachers, Building sustainable societies.”

Governor Wike, who was represented at the occasion by his Deputy Dr. Ipalibo Harry Banigo, was optimistic that with the zeal displayed by the New Management of the State Civil Service Commission, issues of promotion and the associated entitlements for workers would be adequately addressed.

He described Teachers as critical elements in the enhancement of society, noting that the Present Government is a ‘Teacher-friendly’ administration that holds the teaching profession in high esteem.

The State Chief Executive noted that the present administration was committed to addressing the welfare needs of the Teachers to enhance increased productivity.

According to him, “Rivers State Government attaches importance to the teaching profession and therefore declared Monday School free to celebrate the day”, he asserted.

The Governor commended the teachers for their massive turn out at the event, pointing out that as character moulders, they must live up to their responsibilities, adding that the State Government would strive to fulfill its promises to the people, by giving education priority attention.

On his part, State Chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) Rivers State Wing, Comrade Nkpogone Lucky, said the World Teachers Day was created by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in 1966, as a Day for employers and employees to exchange ideas and plan the best strategies towards realizing objectives of education.

Comrade Lucky, said sustainable society could only be built through quality education where teachers were drivers and therefore called for adequate incentives to motivate educators to give their best.