Education
Lecturer Wants Re-Orientation Of Values
A former lecturer with
the University of Port Harcourt, Rev. Fr. Joseph Kabari (Ph.D) of the University of Port Harcourt, has called for value change in the Nigerian society.
Dr. Kabari who spoke during the third biennial inter-house athletic competition of Immaculate Heart College, Borikiri, said it was worrisome that people now do anything to acquire academic certificates not minding the consequences. He noted that in our country todayparents are ready to bribe teachers to write exams for their children or even buy exams for their children. He described such act as shameful and advised that we go back to our value system passed on to us by the colonial masters, emphasizing that the way to change values in any society is through the school system.
Fr. Kabari, who is also the Director, Catholic Education Board, thanked the principal of the college, Lady Florence Nwosu and her staff for their tireless efforts in raising hard working, talented students in the college.
Earlier in her welcome address, Lady Nwosu said games were essential part of the school’s curricular activities which provide for the physical and mental well-being of the students. For this reason she said, the Federal Ministry of Education in line with the National Policy on Education ensure that sports activities are compulsorily organized not only within the college but between other colleges within and outside the zone.
The principal noted that over the years, students of Immaculate Heart College had excelled in academics, sports and other fields. She assured that with the support of government, the church, all and sundry, the dream of raising the institution to an international standard would be realized.
Similarly, the chairman of the occasion, Engr. John Ottih, advised parents, schools and well-meaning individuals to encourage and support sports in our schools, adding that sports is an integral part of education without which education is not complete.
The athletic competition featured match past, relay race, sack race, 1500m boys/girls race among the four houses – Bishop Etukudoh, St. Joseph, Sir Collyns Owhonda and Queen of Peace. There were also invitation rely race, parents race, teachers races, old girls race and many more. In the end, Sir Collyns Owhonda house emerged the overall winner while Simon Asogwa was the overall best student.
The occasion which attracted dignitaries from all walks of life was also used to launch the maiden edition of the school’s magazine, The Immaculate Voice.
Calista Ezeaku
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.