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Amaechi Ends Fee Disparity In RSUST …Assures Completion Of Rumuolumeni, Woji Road
Rivers State Governor and Chairman of Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi has reversed the school fees payment structure at the state-owned Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST).
The Governor directed that all students of the university would pay the same amount for tuition whether they are indigenes of Rivers State or not.
Amaechi announced the fees reversal when he visited RSUST on Monday for an interactive session with students of the university; and sensitize them on voters’ registration and collection of permanent voter’s cards which is scheduled to commence on Friday.
Responding to the questions’ and concerns of students which included discrimination in school fees among indigenes and non-indigenes, Governor Amaechi directed the school management to ensure that all students of the university pay the same amount of fees.
“Anybody in Rivers State University of Science and Technology is an indigene. All of us are Nigerians”, he said, and directed the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii to prepare a letter to the state university to that effect. “The reason why I made that statement and I am going to back it up with a letter is that we are all Nigerians. So, from today, no more discrimination in school fees,” Amaechi stated.
He enjoined the school authority to allow students to register their courses and pay later for those whose fees were not readily available at the time of registration, in order not to deprive them of studying with their classmates.
He said, “My personal view is, because of the current economic situation, any student who has money to pay (for school fees), let him pay. The ones that don’t have money yet, let them register, and during exams, you collect your money. The reason is that 60 to 70 per cent of you (the students) are from very poor backgrounds. My father was a retiree when I got into the university. I didn’t have money but school fees was very cheap”.
He also called on the school management to grant freedom to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to exercise their democratic rights in the university.
“Allow ASUU, let the lecturers form their ASUU. I will direct the Commissioner for Education to write to the university to allow the lecturers congregate and form their union. The law allows them to do so. That is democracy,” Amaechi said.
Governor Amaechi also appealed to the students to be part of INEC’s forthcoming Permanent Voters Card (PVC) collection and fresh voters registration exercise to enable them exercise their civic right in next year’s elections.
“I am aware that from Friday, we would start collecting what they call the permanent voter’s card. I am aware that after the collection of permanent voter’s card, they would start fresh registration of voters. That’s part of what brought me (to your university). “I have come to say to those who are sixteen, don’t go and vote but those who are up to eighteen, go and vote; but to vote, you must first and foremost, go to collect your permanent voter’s card. If you don’t have a permanent voter’s card, then you need to go and register as they start registration,” he said.
The governor explained that he parted ways with the ruling PDP because the PDP-led federal government failed to address the challenges facing Rivers State.
Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of RSUST, Prof. B. B. Fakae welcomed the governor on his sensitization visit to the university which he described as one of the country’s foremost universities in ICT.
Meanwhile, moved by the sorry state of the Rumuolemeni road, Governor Chibuike Amaechi has assured residents and students that the road will be completed before his exit on May 29th next year.
The governor had during a sensitization forum on voters registration with students of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education at Rumuolemeni campus yesterday disclosed that already N1billion has been released to fasten the pace of work.
“We will put pressure on the contractor because I would not want to come back here during campaign without the road done,” he promised.
He admitted that government was responsible for the slow pace of work on the road but pledged that, ” We will slow down on Woji Road and focus on Rumuolemeni Road. Before I leave office I will fix Woji and Elelenwo roads.”
The governor explained that the state was facing financial challenges, but assured that it would not relent in road projects, while hinting that after the ongoing roads repair in D-Line area, the government would fix those in Diobu axis as well.
Calling on students to ensure they collect their permanent voters cards, Amaechi urged those who have not registered to use the upcoming registration exercise to do so.
Governor Amaechi disclosed that a recent study has revealed that about 10 million persons would reach the age of 18 years, and challenged students not to waste the opportunity to exercise their voting rights.
He warned that there was no reason for another Ikwerre and incompetent man to become governor and urged the people to resist corrupt candidates.
The Vice Chancellor of the University of Education, Prof. Rosemund Green-Osaoghulu in her speech commended the governor for showing uncommon vision to revamp education in the state.
Prof. Green-Osaghulu remarked that the governor has demonstrated democratic principles in his quest to transform the state, adding that despite the current political and economic challenges the state chief executive has remained true to his visions and goals.
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Our Legacy’ll Leave Lasting Impression On Rivers People -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has assured that his administration will collaborate and continue to consult widely in delivering a liberated State experiencing enduring peace.
Fubara said, in doing so, he would not operate as a dictator but as a member of a team that has the best interest of the State at heart and determined to leave a lasting legacy that can be celebrated.
The governor spoke during the formal presentation of Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office to the Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, King Ateke Michael Tom, as first class tradition ruler, at Government House in Port Harcourt, yesterday.
Fubara stated that, during the Sixth State Executive Council meeting, N80.8billion was approved with 50 percent contract value paid already as the Government awarded the construction of the Elele-Egbeda-Omoku Road.
He said the project will be funded from the savings from Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to underscore his administration’s prudence without also borrowing to complete the project.
“We are at a crossroad in our State where we all need to stand for what is right. It happens once in a life time. So, for now, be one of those people that will be in the course to liberate and free our dear State.
“And I know strongly that having the support of a peace-loving Amanyanabo of Okochiri Kingdom, having the support of the wonderful Council of Chiefs, having the support of the great people of Rivers State, we will bring peace in our State. We will do those things that are right to develop our State.
“We will continue to consult. We will not act as dictators. We will act as people who know that one day, we will leave, and when we leave, the way we have acted will speak for us. We will not force people to talk good about us. Our legacy will be a signature for how we led”, the governor said.
Fubara explained that he acted within the ambit of the law to upgrade the traditional stool upon which King Ateke Tom sits in recognition of his efforts in promoting peace in Okrika, and indeed, the State, and urged him to continue to do justice to everyone.
In his speech, Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Community Affairs, Hon Charles Amadi, congratulated King Ateke Tom for being formally presented with the Certificate of Recognition and Staff of Office as first class traditional ruler.
Also speaking, former Transport Minister, Chief Abiye Sekibo, thanked the governor for fulfilling his promise of upgrading the traditional stool of Okochiri Kingdom, and pledged the support of Kirike Se people to his administration.
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We’re Determined To Leave Legacy Of Quality Education -Fubara
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has promised to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the State.
The governor emphasised that in achieving such legacy, schools in the State will be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.
Governor Fubara made the assertion while inaugurating the Governing Council of Rivers State University at Government House in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.
He said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
”But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
”Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
”Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Governor Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male child in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
He said such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
Governor Fubara assured that such fundamental problem will be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
”I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr. Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr. Nancy Nwankwo, Dr. Igoni William-Park, and Mr. Ogbugbu Barisua.
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Fubara, Others Eulogise Rivers First Lady’s Mother
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Prof Ngozi Odu, and key stakeholders of the State on Wednesday paid glowing tributes at the Service of Songs held in honour of late Mrs Adeline Jaja, mother of the wife of the Governor, Lady Valerie Fubara, at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church, Mile 1, Diobu, Port Harcourt.
Speaking at the event, Governor Fubara described his late mother-in-law as a great and visionary woman who lived on truth and conviction in what she believes.
“Mama was a great woman. She wasn’t a materialistic person. When she believes in you, she’ll be all out for you. She stood for me. I feel pained that, like my own mother, she left at this moment.
”Mama believed so much in God, and the wonders of God. I thank everyone, particularly the Church. On behalf of the bereaved family, we will support the Church to immortalise her name,” the Governor said.
In his homily, Vicar of the Church, Ven. A. A. Ijon-Ama, who spoke on the gains of death, said physical departure from earth was not an ultimate end but an opening for higher and permanent gain and perfection.
He pointed out that when a man has a good relationship with God, he stands to gain more in death.
Ven. Ijon-Ama described late Mrs. Adeline Jaja as a devout Christian, who exuded deep sense of hospitality, and endowed with accommodating spirit, noting that she will be greatly missed by all.
The Vicar, who prayed for the repose of the soul of Mrs Adeline Jaja, also solicited for Divine fortitude for the family to bear the great loss, and called for the immortalisation of the deceased to keep her good legacies alive.
Some family members, who spoke at the Service of Songs, extolled the virtues of the deceased, describing her as “a great community leader, counsellor, peace maker, and caring mother, who provided for the needy, and participated actively in Church activities.
Highlights of the event were special prayers for the bereaved family, conducted by the Anglican Bishop of Evo Diocese, Rt. Rev. Innocent Ordu; remarks by key family members, choir ministration, among others.
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