Education
NAFDAC Explains Establishment Of Clubs In Schools
The National Agency for
Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), says its decision to setup the NAFDAC consumer safety clubs in schools is to promote behavioral change through public enlightenment.
The Director General of the Agency, Dr Paul Orhill said this in Calabar, Cross River State during the annual award giving ceremony for senior and junior secondary schools in Cross River State that excelled in NAFDAC consumers safety organised competition.
Dr. Orhii who was represented by the agency’s coordinator for Cross River State, Pharm, Isaac Kolawole said that the agency was deeply concerned about the menace of adulterated products in the country, adding that NCSC was initiated to promote behavioural change through enlightenment among the youths to guide them against indulgence in such act as well as its consequences.
According to him, the activities of the club have become abiding force for NAFDAC to continue to promote it, despite the huge resources involved.
“We can only build a new Nigeria by equipping our youths who are the future of this great nation with right virtues.
“NAFDAC Consumer Safety Club is therefore promoted as a platform for affecting behavoural change through enlightenment among the populace of particular age group where they are expected to imbibe the culture of quality and propagate this value to their peers, family and the general public”.
Dr Orhii further explained that the phenomenon of fake products informed the agency’s decision to catch them young, adding that a baseline survey by pharmaco-vigilance and post marketing directorate on NCSC in 2012 to measure knowledge attitude and practice of 1238 students in secondary schools and non members of NCSC, saying “the AP of the students after 10 years of intensive enlightenment campaign shows that over 70 per cent of the students know the activities of NAFDAC.
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.