Education
Institutionalise Indigenous Technology, Educationist Tells FG
An Educationist, Profes
sor Lawrence E.B. Igwe, has called upon the federal government to institutionalise the country’s numerous indigenous technologies as a means of enhancing its development.
Professor Igwe, who made the call recently in an exclusive interview with The Tide noted that institutions in Nigeria are surrounded by various indigenous technologies which have been allowed to go extinct.
Such technologies that have gone extinct include the one used to produce the famous indigenous bomb called ‘Ogbumuigwe’, which was used during the Nigeria Civil War by Biafran soliders, Professor Igwe identified it types of technologies, such as indigenous, transferred, appropriate construction, entertainment, and business technologies.
Others are educational, information, assistive, instructional, medical, productivity and teaching technologies.
While noting the objectives of vocational and technical education as contained in the national policy on education, as revised in 2013, the professor of education also stated its Nigerian version.
According to him, “the primary objective of all technical and vocational education and training programmes is the acquisition of relevant knowledge, practical skills and attitudes for gainful employment.
Other objectives in the Nigerian context, he said, are to link training to employment to develop Nigerian Technical and Vocational Education as a vehicle for rapid industralisation, as well-economic empowerment and social liability of the individual.
It also include inculcation of shared cultural values and attitude development and the dual system which promotes the linkage of vocational education to the words of work.
Towards achieving effective vocational and technical education, therefore, Professor Igwe urged management of polytechnics to take the first step.
He charged them to “appropriately create the desired collaborative synergy to tap on indigenous technologies of their host communities.
However, Rector of the Rivers State Polytechnic Bori, Sir Obiankwo Nwolu-Elechi told The Tide that there are some indigenous technologies invented by students of the institution, but have not been publicise of because it was awaiting standard approval.
Stories by
Cross section of parents during 2014 graduation cermeony of Bloombreed High School in Port Harcourt.
Photo: Nwiueh Ken
Sogbeba Dokubo
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.