Education
Students To Form Anti-HIV/AIDS Clubs In Schools
As part of effort to check the trend of HIV/AIDS in schools, the Rivers State Government has mapped out strategies to form anti-HIV/AIDS clubs in primary and secondary schools in the state.
Speaking to The Tide during a stakeholders meeting organised by the Rivers State Agency for the Control of AIDS, (RIVSACA) in Port Harcourt, the HIV/AIDS Desk Officer of the State Ministry of Education, Mrs Joy Joseph said the move became necessary in view of the increasing number of people contracting HIV/AIDS in the state. She said that the education sector has plans to not only incorporate HIV/AIDS in school curricula, but to also establish anti-HIV/AIDS clubs to facilitate dissemination of information on the pandemic in secondary schools in the state.
According to her, the establishment of anti-HIV/AIDS clubs in schools would go a long way in developing the skills and knowledge of students in HIV/AIDS response.
Joseph noted that about 49 teachers were trained on Family Life HIV/AIDS Implementation (FLHAI), in 2009.
The essence of the training, according to her, was for the trainer to step down the training on FLHAI in their various schools so that teachers that are trained would be knowledgeable enough to sensitize students effectively.
This year, “we have plans to also include the Model Primary Schools so that every students and pupils in the state will be knowledgeable on HIV/AIDS issues adding that the prevalence state of HIV/AIDS has increased from 5.2% in 2005 to 7.3% in 2008, according to the recent sentinel survey in the state.
She noted that the sudden increase of HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in the state would be as a result of more people coming out to access care and support due to increased awareness.
She, however, enjoined parents to ascertain their children’s HIV/AIDS Status in the state.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.