ANCOPSS Honours 22 Retired Principals in Bayelsa • Commends their meritorious selfless service to humanity

                                             By Ma-Gens Inegba

The Bayelsa State Chapter of the All Nigeria Confederation of Principals of Secondary Schools (ANCOPSS) has organized a befitting send-forth party for twenty-two of its members who retired this years.

The President of ANCOPSS, Bayelsa State Chapter, Mrs Christiana L. Ezetu.

The event which took place at the Conference Hall of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) at Yenezue-gene in Yenagoa attracts dignitaries from different walks of life.

Presenting her keynote address, the President of ANCOPSS, Bayelsa State Chapter, Mrs Christiana L. Ezetu extolled them for devoting a substantial part of their lives, impacting virtues in society; and are now found worthy and qualified to reap the benefit of their meritorious service to humanity.

She ordered the congregation to give a standing ovation in honour of the retirees. “Please let’s rise on our feet to give honour to whom it is due, with a resounding applause and sound of victory”, said Mrs Ezetu.

The ANCOPSS boss in the state also appeals to the retired principals to continue to give their wealth of experience and expertise to move the body forward whenever called upon.

“While facing your new phase of family and private lives, please do not keep a long distance from us. We wish you well as you keep the flag flying in your various future endeavours,” Ezetu stated.

She highlighted some of the challenges confronting the body in the state to include the State Government unfulfilled pledge to provide ANCOPSS 18-seater bus when her predecessor, Chief Gibson Egbe was in office.

The ANCOPSS boss also lamented that the State Governor through the Secretary to the State Government promise to support the National Endowment Fund to the tune of N5million and the money is yet to be redeemed.

She expressed the determination of the present Executives to engage the state government in sponsoring the National and International Conferences of ANCOPSS which they have been denied for too long.

Ezetu who was highly elated for the large turnout, expressed sincere and deep appreciation.

In his speech, the immediate past President of ANCOPSS, Mr Abbey Ayebaemi Rivers enjoined the retirees to involve themselves in viable programmes that would keep them alive and meet up their yearnings and aspirations.

He also charged serving principals in the state to be courageous and strong by ensuring proper administration of their respective schools.

ANCOPSS former president also advised them not to be found wanton by flimsy technicalities and lauded the retired principals for services well rendered.

Responding on behalf of the Retirees, the immediate past principal of KGS Kaiama, Mr Okpobo Richman thanked the President and the Executives of ANCOPSS in the state for the honour done them. 

Mr Okpobo Richman

Mr Okpobo expressed displeasure over the refusal of the present administration in the state to pay gratuities to pensioners and appealed to the incoming administration to give the payment of gratuity to retirees a pride of place in his administration.

“It is very sad that the outgoing administration has not paid the backlog of gratuities owed retirees in the state.

Retirees, serving for 35years and somebody who just come in for 8years will say you are not entitle for your benefit it is very sad.

But the way forward, leadership in the state should be sincere enough to see that those who have serve their state meritoriously for 35years should not be ridicule, so downgraded to the level of careless abandoned.

He also called for the incoming administration in the state to exclude retirees in BHIS and Education levies from their meagre pension, and urged to restore back their pension. 

Mr Puraziba C Akpoti (JP) honoured at the event.

The send forth features traditional dance display by St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata and presentation of gift items to the retirees.

Traditional dance display by St. Jude’s Girls Secondary School, Amarata.

Those who retired are  Ayewei Erefite – TCSS Anyama, Eneni S. A. – CSS Aguobiri, Iyoroseighe Z. – OGS Oweikorogha, Gomet Binaebi – GSS Odi, Duba Mathew – CSS Gbaraun, Ase A. Humphrey – CCSS Ezetu, Asain Godwin – CSS Keme-Ebiama and Reuben Koboye G. – GSS Tebidaba. 

The Retired Principals.

Others are Kwomo Jonas D. – CSS Koluama 2, Preye Moun J. I. – GSS Toru-Ebeni, Ogbo Wisdom – MGS Ogobiri, Mumbor Garrick – OCSS Koroma, Akpoti Puraziba C. – CSS Famgbe, Monron P. Ezekiel – GGS Okolobiri, Odiabara Napoleon – MCSS Agrisaba, Seiba Harrison – CCHS Igbeta-Ewoama, Biobaragha Gasi – Gmss Twon-Brass, Koko Juliana O. – CSS Sangan, Peresinghan Dike – CSS Isampou, Asigo Rosanna – TCSS Anyama-Ijaw, Aboh Richard E. – BDGS Yenagoa and  Okpobo Richman – KGS Kaiama.