Education
RSG Explains Recruitment of 13,000 Teachers
The Rivers State Government says recruitment of the 13,000 teachers issued with appointment letters on Wednesday by Governor Chibuike Amaechi is a confirmation of its intention to make the education sector achieve the desired goal.
Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Nemi stated this Wednesday while declaring open the 5th Quadrennial Delegate Conference of the Rivers State Wing of the Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) in Port Harcourt.
Represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Richard Ofuru, the education commissioner said the effort of the government in educational development state had resulted in the recruitment of the teachers, which she described as first of its kind.
The commissioner who applauded Governor Amaechi’s vision for the education sector charged teachers in the state to rise above board by formulating policies that would impact on children as future leaders.
She enjoined teachers and the well-meaning people of the state to move round and see what the present government had done while urging the continued support of the governor.
In his speech, National President of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, Comrade Michael Olukoya represented by Mrs Olajumoke Oyebami commended the government and people of Rivers State for the developmental strides in place, especially in the area of education.
The NUT national president also appreciated the governor for being one of the foremost governors to implement the Teachers Salary Scale of 27.5 per cent and the 18 percent national minimum wage as well as the recruitment of 13,000 teachers. He appealed for immediate deployment of the new teachers to facilitate the process of teaching and learning in the state.
The chairman of Rivers State Universal Education Board, Sir Ali Oruitemeka urged serving teachers to embrace the 13,000 newly recruited teachers to make them perform effectively.
Oruitemeka who was represented by Mr Ibiwari Ekine stressed the need for teachers in the state to assist the government in ensuring the success of its educational development objectives.
The state chairman of the NUT, Comrade Godfrey Nwogu thanked the governor for the regular payment of teachers salaries and allowances as well as promotion arrears and pledged the teachers unalloyed support to the Governor Amaechi led administration.
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.