Education
Lecturers Want FG To Encourage Study Of History
Some university dons have told stakeholders in the education sector and the Federal Government to encourage the study of history in the universities to promote understanding of national history and culture.
They told newsmen in separate interviews on Sunday in Lagos that the number of students applying to study history was decreasing in most Nigerian universities.
Dr Sheidu Sule, a Lecturer in the Department of Educational Administration, University of Lagos, said that a lack of manpower in the Faculties of Arts and Social Sciences had affected the course.
Sule said that there was need for all hands to be on deck to make the course enticing by creating job opportunities for history graduates.
“The number of students applying to study history in our universities is low because of lack of awareness, interest, job opportunity and generational change.
“If a person or a nation lacks history, it will be like a dying man. Nobody can live without the knowledge of history and everybody needs it.
“All hands she said must be on deck to encourage our youths to study history because a. man without history is moving like a blind man without guidance.
“Students, upon completion of their courses have no designated end point, no lucrative job and cannot specify their end point,” he said.
Sule also said that lack of interest in studying history was a generational challenge that must be addressed fast.
He added that most youths yearned for quick money, adding that they did not want a degree like in history that would make them work so hard before getting rich.
Prof. Adewale Elegbeleye, Head, Department of Psychology at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, said that the study of history would always remain evergreen and should not be allowed to perish.
Elegbeleye said that lack of interest to study history was because youths wanted to become more business-inclined.
He said that the present policy on entrepreneurial and vocational training was also discouraging youths from studying history.
“It is a general perception that history is not lucrative; but it is evergreen and nobody, no organisation or country can do without history.
“The Federal Government is flagging off a campaign emphasising that people should be entrepreneurial-inclined and this is affecting other professions like history.
“Many institutions have changed the Department of History to Department of History and International Relations, just to make it enterprising,“ he said.
Elegbeleye advised that people should not undermine the influence of history as a subject, required by all organisations to survive.
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.