Education
ICAN Constructs Lecture Theatres In Five Varsities
The Institute of Chartered
Accountants on Nigeria (ICAN) said it has begun the construction of lecture theatres in five selected universities in the country to encourage the production of skilled accounting graduates.
In a statement by the institute’s 50th President, Mr Chidi Ajaegbu, on Thursday in Lagos, ICAN listed the five institutions as the Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife and Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. Others are University of Benin, Benin City, University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and Kebbi State University of Science and Technology, Birnin Kebbi.
The ICAN president, while laying the foundation stone of the first Lecture Theatre at Obafemi Awolowo University, explained that the project would support the aspirations of the students and create conducive atmosphere for learning in the universities.
“It was also part of the institute’s strategies at strengthening its public interest mandate to encourage the production of highly skilled Accounting graduates,” it said.
The statement said the new project was a step in the Institute’s scheme of development initiatives borne out of its desire to address the problem of poor performance of students. It also said that lack of good tuition, poor and inadequate preparations and dearth of good learning materials as parts of the institute’s motive for the project.
According to the statement, the first outcome of the concerted efforts in addressing the issues were the publication of ICAN Study Packs and creation of the Student,s’ Special Project (SSP).
“The study packs were first developed and solely financed in 2006 by the Institute, and it has been taken to another level through a World Bank sponsored twinning with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). “This has produced world-class learning materials, a new examination structure and syllabus which would take effect from November 2014,” it said
The statement also disclosed that each of the selected institutions would provide a parcel of land on which the Lecture Theatre would be built as the Institute desired to accomplish the project within the next one year.
It said that the Vice-Chancellor of OAU, Prof. Idowu Omole, applauded ICAN’s gesture and noted that it complemented the vision of the Institution.
Omole eulogised ICAN as the foremost professional body in Nigeria when it comes to turning out professional accountants capable of competing with their counterparts anywhere in the world.
Vice Principal, (Academics), Community Boys Secondary School, Elelenwo, Port Harcourt, Dikio Esther Minaibiye (left), presenting an award to the best performed teacher, Mr. Bellgam Ferdinard .A, during prize giving/cultural day ceremony last Friday. Pix: Egberi .A. Sampson.
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.