Education
Varsity Matriculates 1,000 Students
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Port Harcourt Study Centre, has matriculated about 1,000 students into the 2011/2012 academic year.
Out of this number, 800 students were admitted into the degree programmes while 200 students were admitted into the post-graduate studies.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, disclosed this at the 7th Matriculation Ceremony held in Port Harcourt, recently.
Delivering his address at the ceremony, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, charged the fresh students to use the golden opportunity judiciously to enable them write a memorable chapter in the history of their lives.
Represented by the director of Port Harcourt Study Centre, Professor G. A. I. Nwogu, the Vice Chancellor told the matriculating students that the university is one that uses do-it-yourself approach.
According to him, NOUN is a 21st century university. “As you are already aware, the admission process is online. So also are the registration, assessments and examination processes”, he emphasised.
The Vice Chancellor urged the students to make good use of their study materials and other learning avenues at they would determine the level of their success at the end of their programmes.
His words: “Whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve. If you can think it, you can do it, “Good thinking”, Good product”.
“You started by dreaming big to require university education. Congratulations.
“Let me boldly tell you that the rewards of hard work are many. So you will do well to keep this at the back of your minds as you go about translating your big dream into reality”, he maintained.
Administering the matriculation oath to the students, the Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Josephine Akinyemi, charged the students to abide by the requirements and demands of open and distance learning as exemplified by the university’s multi-model system of instructional delivery.
The registrar, who was represented by Mr. Bayo Emmanuel, advised them to pay due respect and be obedient to the vice-chancellor and other officers of the university at the headquarters, campuses and study centres.
She charged the students to observe all the regulations which may from time to time be issued for the good order and governance of the university.
She urged them to refrain from act that could disrupt the activities of the university or likely bring it into disrepute.
Expressing his views on the matriculation ceremony, a student of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, Mr Ikechukwu Achuoso, said he was overwhelmed with joy and expressed optimism that at the end of the programme, he would grab a lot of things.
According to him, “what I am experiencing here, now, I did not even expect it in this way. From what people are saying, the school is a nice one”.
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.