Education
UNIPORT NUJ To Hold Confab On Reportage
The University of Port
Harcourt chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has announced a three-day maiden conference for media researchers, practitioners and teachers holding between August 26 and 28, 2015.
Chairman of the chapel, Dr Aniefiok Udoudo, who disclosed this in a statement revealed that the conference, which has as its theme, “Making the Unreached Heard: Reporting Development Strides in Rural Nigeria” would be organised in collaboration with the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, Faculty of Humanities.
The chairman further disclosed that the maiden edition of the chapel’s journal of media practice and research is expected to be launched at the conference.
The statement added that “participants who wish to present papers should submit abstracts of not more than 250 words using 12 points font size on Times New Roman by e-mail attachment to : Ochonos2@yahoo.co.UK.
Professor Nkereuwem Udoakah of the University of Uyo is expected to deliver the keynote address at the occasion, while Dr Vincent Ekwerike of Radio Nigeria, Treasure fm, Port Harcourt and Dr Godwin Okon of the Department of Mass Communication, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) would present lead papers.
Dr Udoudo listed “imbalance in urban rural reportage of development issues”, mainstreaming rural events in the urban-centred media”, community media as precursors to effective rural reportage”, “The role of social media in balancing urban/rural reporting of development”, “The imperatives of phone-in-programmes and awareness creation about rural development”, and “reaching the unheard with development information for rural advancement”, as some of the sub-themes.
The statement named Dr Christie Omego and Dr Chris Ochonogor as chairperson and secretary, local organizing committee, respectively.
Also, Acting Head, Department of Linguistic and Communication Studies, Dr Virginia Onumajuru will serve as convener, while Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, Professor John Enemugwen and vice-chancellor, Professor Ndowa lale would be host and chief host, respectively.
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.