Education
Rivers UBE Gets N75m Best Performance Award
The Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) has won the Award for Best Performance of N75 million for 2007/2008 in the Federal Government of Nigeria and the Universal Basic Education Intervention Projects in the South-South states.
Sir Alli Oruitemeka, executive chairman of theRSUBEB, made this known on Thursday, in a keynote address during a one-day capacity building workshop for project officers and support staff of the RSUBE’s e-library.
While noting that the board has inherited a Best Performance Award of N100 million in 2005/2006, Oruitemeka credited the feat to a collective effort of both the staff and members of the board.
“As I speak with you today, I can say with joy that by divine enablement and the collective efforts of all of us in the contribution to the growth of education in the state, we have achieved the said awards”, he stated.
Oruitemeka continued, “that for two successive awards, we are the best in the South-South geo-polictical zone. It is time for us to move higher. Our target is attaining the overall National Best during the forth-coming 2009/2010 National Award”.
According to him, a total of 23 model 14-classroom blocks have been recently awarded for construction from combined 2007/2008/2001 FGN/UBE intervention funds, with a completion target of six months.
Towards the end of the completion of these classrooms, contracts for the furnishing will also be awarded.
Oruitemeka stated further that the objective of the training programme for the project officers and support staff, whose primary responsibilities are to ensure smooth execution of all on-going projects, is to acquaint the participants with the necessary tools that will aid and sharpen their skills on the job.
“The expected outcome of the workshop is to have team of well-informed, experienced and dutiful work force that can stand the test of time anywhere, as well as being able to apply site safety rules and conducts to effectively monitor, supervise, manage and evaluate projects that will ensure value for life and money in the most corruption-free manner”, he said.
Sogbebe Dokubo
Education
‘Our Target Is To Go Beyond Academic Accomplishments’

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
Education
Niger Delta Students Suspend Protest Against NDDC In PH

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
Education
Administrator Inspects School

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.