Education
Bayelsa To Incorporate Izon Language In Schools
The Bayelsa State Commissioner for Education, Chief Salo Adikumo, says the State Government would adopt a holistic method of learning by incorporating the study of Izon Language in primary and secondary schools .
The Commissioner also stressed the need for society to invest in the education of the girl child to bring equality in human capital development of the state and also to promote peace.
Speaking during a book launch, entitled ‘’Bring Back the Book’’ at the Glory Land Cultural Center, Yenagoa, Chief Adikumo noted that language as part of culture remains one of the essential elements which generations inherit from one another for the development of society.
Chief Adikumo, who explained that as part of government policy, children should learn the language of the areas they live and this will be included in the school curriculum for pupils and students to read and write in their mother tongue, said one among the dialects would be adopted as the central language.
The education, boss who described the book launch as timely and apt, contended that illiteracy has been the bane of societal development as its prevalence accounts for over 60 per cent of the total mortality recorded yearly, especially among females and called for a more proactive approach to be taken.
Chief Adikumo maintained that one of the weapons countries used in combating crime and other social vices, such as armed robbery, prostitution and cultism was proper evaluation and strategic planning for the institutionalisation of the studying of the culture among school children.
The commissioner observed that the declaration of a state of emergency in the education sub-sector by the Bayelsa State Government was a step in the right direction, noting that any nation that failed to make education a priority must be prepared to tackle disease, hunger, unemployment and poverty.
According to him, Bayelsa can only achieve its needed manpower requirement when education care-givers, including parents, evolve plans that would adequately address the standardization issue bordering the education sub-sector for better planning and budgeting.
He lamented the inadequacies in human capital development in the state as compared to other states in the federation, pointing out that something has to be done urgently to correct the imbalance.
He also said the education of both males and females is crucial because, according to him, education of the child cannot be compromised.
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.