Education
ICPC Tasks Students On Accountability, Transparency
The ICPC has advised the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) to show more accountability and transparency in its political activities.
Mr Nta Ekpo, the acting chairman of ICPC, gave the advice at the 2nd All Nigerian Students Financial Investment and Entrepreneurship Summit in Abuja last Wednesday.
Ekpo, who was represented by Mrs Azuka Ogugua, a senior staff member in the commission’s Education Department, observed that the future of the youth would be at stake if corrupt practices continued in the country.
“We are partnering youths to let them know that their future will be at stake if corruption continues in this country; there is a need to kill corruption and this process must start from the youths.
Ogugua urged them to report any corrupt move in their schools to the relevant bodies as ensuring accountability and transparency in their institution “is very necessary’’.
Also speaking, Mr Monday Ewans, a deputy director at the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria, urged students to map out strategies on how to grow businesses after graduation.
Ewans, who made the call in a paper entitled, “Small Business, a Major Platform for Driving the Nation’s Economy,’’ said the country’s economy could grow only if attention was given to small businesses.
He expressed the need to grow small business and for youths to develop positive attitude to overcome the challenges of running small businesses.
“We all know that power supply and access to finances are some of the major problems associated with running small businesses, but then, government is taking steps to address the challenges.
“Small business is the only way to reduce poverty, and to also generate employment opportunities; the youth should buy into the idea instead of looking for white-collar jobs.’’
He, however, called on the government to address the challenges associated with running businesses for the country to become one of the economically developed countries by the year 2020.
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.