News
Ajuru Varsity Matriculates 2,000 …Flays False Alarm
More facts have emerged on the unfortunate incident that led to the death of a student of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni near Port Harcourt, in the early hours of Wednesday, as authorities of the institution have linked the cause of the incident to a false alarm.
The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Rosemund Green Osahogulu, who made this disclosure yesterday at the 2012 / 2013 matriculation ceremony of the institution, clarified that a yet to be identified person raised a false alarm of an appearance of a ghost, and collapsing building which resulted in stampede.
According to her, the student jumped from a two storey building in an attempt to escape but lost his life in the process.
Prof Osahagulu, who spoke after a minute silence was observed on behalf of the dead student, stated that the university community was still in fear because of the avoidable death, and warned that stiff punishment would be taken against any culprit as the institution would no longer tolerate such false alarm from students or staff.
The VC also warned the new intakes, particularly the ladies, that IAUE would deal decisively with any student involved in indecent dressing.
“Indecent, lewd and provocative scanty dressing outside the hostel rooms is disallowed and proven violation of this rule is punishable by exclusion of the offender from participation in the affected official activity such as lecture, laboratory work, games, sports etc,” she said.
According to the VC, willful damage to university’s property under uncontrolled anger, student rioting or group demonstration, cooking in the hostels, exam misconduct and membership of secret cults and of any other unregistered groups is disallowed, adding that violation is punishable by police detention and subsequent prosecution, rustication or expulsion.
The VC said the vision of IAUE was to be the ultimate global best among all institutions established for pre-service professional teacher education, and urged the new students to endeavour to ginger administrators and support service workers respectfully, courteously and politely to rise up to global challenges.
“This role you can effectively play, mainly through strong commitment to learning through instruction, participation and research activity”, said the VC.
Prof Osahogulu said 2,000 new intakes of regular and sand witch students took part in the matriculation.
Meanwhile, the management of IAUE had reacted to widespread speculation and media reports about the incident that occurred in the early hours of Wednesday where a student died at the main campus.
A statement signed by the Public Relations Officer of the institution, Ngozi Okiridu said no building has collapsed at the main campus in Rumuolumeni as alleged, explaining that rather some student preparing for their examinitation heard a false alarm about a ghost – appearing and the building shaking, hence, they decided to run for their dear lives.
Some jumped from the storey building while others were trampled upon, as a result of the commotion. In the end one Charles Ohamara, a 200 level student of French Department from Apani in Ikwerre Local Government Area of the state died instantly,” the statement said.
The statement said four other students were taken to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, two at the university’s hospital, adding that the 8th person had gone home after being attended to.
Chris Oluoh
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to expedite the prosecution of the Director of the now distressed MBA Forex Trading, Mr. Maxwell Odum, in the interest of justice.
The Rivers State NUJ made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the EFFC’s Ag. Zonal Director, ACE Hassan Saidu, in Port Harcourt, recently.
The council’s chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, said the appeal became imperative after it considered the number of Nigerians and others involved in the financial misconduct.
According to him, it has caused hardship among many households in the country and should be given the attention it deserves.
He said that investors cannot come into a country or invest in an economy or nation ridden with fraud.
This, he said, has made it more imperative to arrest, prosecute and convict alleged fraudsters like the MBA Forex Director, who is alleged to have defrauded thousands of unsuspecting Nigerians, to serve as a deterrent to others.
The chairman also requested that while the trial lasts, part of the swindled funds should be given to the victims that suffered loss and trauma as a result of the fraud.
The NUJ reiterated its resolve to change the narrative of reportage from crisis to developmental communication.
According to him, the NUJ’s main focus is blue economy and tourism.
He expressed the readiness of the Council to partner the agency in the area of information dissemination.
“We believe you have a responsibility to fight financial crimes. We also know that you need the Press to publicize your activities and NUJ can provide that,” he said.
Responding, the Zonal EFFC’s boss commended the NUJ’s vision to change the narrative of reporting from crisis to developmental communication.
According to Saidu, the Western world have since imbibed such culture, hence the negative stories about them are carefully sifted to allow only positive ones to be released to the outside world.
As for the trapped funds to be released, the EFCC Zonal Director stated that only the court can authorize such action, stressing that the primary responsibility of the Commission is to arrest and prosecute.
He pledged to partner with the NUJ now that the leadership has visited the Commission.
The Head of the Legal & Prosecution Department, DCE Odiase Stephen, corroborated the Zonal Director’s position and stressed that it was only when the matter has been determined by the court that such funds can be released.
He further stated that once a matter is before a court of competent jurisdiction, it cannot be discussed outside.
By: King Onunwor
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