Education
As UNIPORT ASUU’s Ultimatum Expires Today …
Expectations are currently
high in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) regarding whether the Governing Council of the institution will rescind its decision of suspending the Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor Ndowa Sunday Lale, over the ultimatum given it by the UNIPORT Branch of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) which expires, today.
ASUU, UNIPORT branch, had midweek declared the action of the Governing Council of UNIPORT in suspending the acting vice chancellor without due process ultra vires in a press conference, and given July 27 as an ultimatum to rescind their action.
In an exclusive interview with the ASUU Chairman of the university, Dr Austen Sado, he explained that while ASUU will not back the Acting V.C if he is found wanting, they would stand for due process in metting out what ever disciplinary action to him.
Buttressing the action of ASUU, Dr Sado noted that three issues are at stake: the first is that the procedure for the removal of the Ag V.C is not in accordance with the relevant law.
“The procedure for the removal of VC as stipulated in the law is very clear. If there is an allegation, or any financial malfeasance on the part of the VC, they should invite senate committee of three members, one of which will come from the council, and the chairman of that committee will be a member of the council.
“That did not happen before the VC was suspended and we (ASUU) think that they have not followed due process,” he said.
The second issue, according to Dr Sado, has to do with the filling of the office of VC should there be a vacancy.
“In the event that the office of the VC is vacant …, it is the responsibility of the senate of the university to recommend the candidate to be appointed to council for 16 months, pending when the substantive VC will be appointed by the university.
“That did not happen in this case. We are also not aware that the senate of UNIPORT recommended anybody to be appointed as Ag VC.
The third issue, Sado continued, has to do with the manner in which the April 11, 2016 students strike in UNIPORT was handled.
“The senate of the university is the one empowered to take charge of administrative issues. What happened on the 11th of April falls within the purview of the senate to set up any panel or committee to investigate the situation and report to Council.
“That did not happen. council usurped the power and we have simply written to council to say that this amounts to usurpation of power, hence they should rescind their decision,” the ASUU chairman concluded.
Meanwhile, the congress of ASUU in UNIPORT, will meet today to review whatever development regarding the suspension of Professor Lale, according to the ASUU chairman.‘
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.