Education
‘Nigerian Varsities Should Emulate OAU In Research Publication’
A don, Dr Olufemi Ajayi,
last Thursday urged other universities in the country to emulate the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, Osun State, in publishing their researches in international journals.
Ajayi, the Vice Dean, Faculty of Agriculture of the OAU, also urged Nigeria universities to invest in infrastructure and information technology for advancement.
He gave the advice in an interview with newsmen in Ile-Ife.
The dean was reacting to the current rating of the OAU as the best in Nigeria and 8th in Africa.
The rating was made in the latest webometric ranking by the Cybermetric Lab of Spain, a world renowned research council.
Ajayi said that the university was able to be adjudged so because it published its researches in international journals.
Ajayi said that lecturers in OAU collaborated to publish quality researches in the journals.
The lecturer said that OAU had the required feasibility, infrastructure and modern information technology to enhance the publication of researches of international standards.
”OAU earned the award through hard work from lecturers who collaborated and published grand rating researches of international standards.
“As one of the first generation universities in the country, OAU has infrastructure and ICT facilities accessible to internal and external researchers,” he said.
Another don, Dr Ismail Raji of the Department of Education Management, University of Ibadan, said that it was the volume of publications from OAU lecturers that earned the institution the award.
“OAU, as one of the first generation universities, has experienced hands, large number of professors, lecturers and PhD graduates with reputable record,” Raji said.
Dr Oluwatoki Jamiu, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History and International Relations, Lagos State University, however, said that the OAU ought to have achieved more than that.
“We should be talking of OAU, as a first generation university in Nigeria, being among the first 20 in the world and not just eight in Africa.
“With the calibre of lecturers and students produced over the years in OAU, I believe the university deserves to be ranked higher than that.
“This shows the need to inject more resources to the education sector to improve standards in Nigerian universities,” he said.
He added that most of the first generation universities in Nigeria ought to be among the first 20 in the world in view of the calibre of human and material resources in the country.
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.