News
Unite Against Assent To TETFund Bill, VCs Charged
The Executive Secretary of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof Suleiman Elias Bogoro, has called on vice Chancellors of Universities and heads of other tertiary institutions in Nigeria to work against the signing into law of the TETFund Bill, which was among the 46 bills passed by the 7th National Assembly (NASS).
Bogoro, who made the call onTuesday at the 30th Conference of the Association of Vice Chancellors of Nigeria Universities (AVCNU), hosted by the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), noted that the bills, which was passed in 10 minutes alongside other 45 bills, was capable of destroying the university system in Nigeria.
The reason, according to him, is because the National Assembly not only did not make enough and adequate consultations with relevant stakeholders, but also expunged vital areas that have kept tertiary institutions of loath in the country.
“It is not a question being biased; the fact is, in that Act, the last paragraph was unbelievable. That Act sort to redefine what the university ought to be, and in the final part of the definition, the word ‘Degree’ was missing.
“I couldn’t believe it! So, join me to advocate that Mr. President should not sign that bill because it will kill TETFund, and it will kill the universities”, he said.
While explaining the important roles TETFund has played since its inception in developing tertiary institutions, including polytechnics and colleges of education, in terms of upgrading them to global standard, Bogoro noted that signing the bill into law will only gradually bring down the quality of Nigeria’s tertiary institutions to what it was about seven years ago.
“I can tell you that among public tertiary institutions, there are those that seven years ago, did not have more than five to eight disciplines/programmes/departments that met accreditation requirements of the regulatory agency (Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC). In many cases, not up to 30-40 per cent of the disciplines met accreditation requirements. Today, the reverse is the case.
“At the moment, most of our public tertiary institutions may be lagging behind by less than 10 to 20 per cent. I think this shows the impact of TETFund’s intervention”, he said.
Earlier in his welcome address at the occasion, christened “Garden City 2015”, with the theme, “The Role of ICT in University Administration and Curriculum Delivery”, the host Vice Chancellor, Prof Barineme Fakae, stated the extent to which his administration has exploited ICT to upgrade the RSUST to a foremost e-varsity in Nigeria.
“It is worth noting that the introduction of Information and Communication Technology in our core academic and administrative processes has changed the way the business of education is conducted in our university… Our university is now being transformed into a creative, information–based and productive agent of change.
“We believe that it is the adoption of e-approach that catapulted our university from the 76th to the 12th position among Nigerian universities based on recent Webometric ranking, and the first state university to appear on this league table by ‘Ivy’ international colleges and universities organizations”, he said.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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