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Varsity Don Calls For Better Use Of Petroleum Revenue

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A university teacher,
Dr Timothy Okon, has called on the Federal Government to come up with a deliberate plan to properly harness and prioritise revenue accruable from oil.
According to him, this is necessary in order “to better the lot of Nigerians groaning under economic recession”.
Dr Okon, who made the call recently at the 6th “Emmanuel Egbogah Legacy Lecture Series” in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), said a good knowledge of price movement in the oil and gas sector is important.
He stated that understanding price movement in the unpredictable oil and gas sector is the right strategy for any forward-looking government.
There were many tools that should have enabled policy makers to manage the economy in a volatile situation such as we currently find ourselves.
“Our failure to create the necessary buffers early enough to forestall the current predicament has resulted in the situation we find ourselves”.
“When prices were high, we ought to have saved for the rainy day, but we regrettably failed to do so.
“That was what led to belated creation of the Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF) from which other oil producing countries such as Norway, Kuwait and Qatar have reaped huge profits”, he said.
To address the situation, Dr Okon stated that there is the need for “government to evolve basic plan for properly harnessing and prioritising oil revenue”.
Okon, who was the keynote speaker at the occasion, warned government against what he called such “economic populism” as subsidies in petroleum products, noting that it is not only unsustainable, but also damages the long term development of the country.
He also called for both revenue and economic diversification in order to check the present economic challenges and to discourage states from depending entirely on revenue accruable from the Federal Government.
In his remarks, chairman of the occasion and Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, described Dr Egbogah as one who believed in core competencies.
The Governor, who was represented by his Chief of Staff, Professor Joe Asike, stated that with the prospect of Anambra State joining the league of oil producing states, the government will ensure that tertiary institutions in the state come to UNIPORT to acquire necessary trainings.
On his part, Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Ndowa Lale, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Admin), Professor Anthony Ibe, extolled the philanthropy of Dr Egbogah and his love for quality education, which, he said, gave birth to the “Emerald Energy Institute”, venue of the occasion.
He noted that the institute “is doing a commendable job in helping to shape the future policy direction of the Nigerian hydrocarbon industry.

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Education

School Resumption:Rivers begins monitoring of compliance  to academics standards

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As Secondary and primary schools  in Rivers state ,including public and private owned  resumes for the first term 2025/2026 academic session  today after a one month vacation at the end of the third term  2024/2025 academic session .,the state ministry of education said quality assurance supervisors will resume school visitations and monitoring immediately.
The state ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement signed by the permanent secretary ,
Dr. (Mrs.) Ndidi Chikanele Utchay and made available to the tide ,the statement stated that staffs of department of quality assurance services (SEQAS)  in the ministry and it’s agencies will commence  immediate  routein assessment visitations to all schools in the state, to ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards .
The statement reads thus:
“This is to notify all public and private schools operating in Rivers State that the State Education Quality Assurance Services (SEQAS) will commence follow-through and routine assessments immediately, upon resumption of the 2025/2026 academic session. These assessments are designed to:
 Ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards.”
“Evaluate the Quality of Teaching and Learning,
Review Curriculum Implementation and Teaching Methods,
Assess Infrastructure and Learning Environment, and
Promote Students Welfare and Overall School Improvement.”
“Consequently, all Public and Private Schools are by this announcement advised to make all necessary preparations and ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements. “
The statement also said applications for School approvals and upgrades should be submitted directly to the office of the Permanent Secretary, as negotiations with individuals and agents will no longer be tolerated.
“The  state Ministry of Education appreciates your continuous co-operation and commitments to sustaining high educational standards in our dear State.”the statement stated.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

University of Port Harcourt elevates five professor’s on communication and public relations

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The  Governing Council of University of port Harcourt in Rivers state has appointed
 five new Professors of Communication and Media Studies of the institution.
This was contained in a Facebook handle of  the public relations officer of the university,Dr Sammy Kpenu  disclosed that those elevated to the ranks  of professor include erudite and world-class Prof. Ntiense James Usua , promoted to  professor of Broadcasting,
Prof. Faustina Ginikanwa Nwachukwu – Strategic Communication and Advertising, and
Prof. Benedict Obiora Agbo – Public Relations and Advertising.
Others are,Prof. Sunny C.J. Mbazie , Public Relations and Advertising, while
Prof. Clement Afamefuna Asadu ,was appointed  professor of Behaviour and Social Change Communication, of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

Our academic activities are AI driven – VC ….declares I’ntl Conf on education 

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The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has declared that all activities in the University are AI-driven, stressing  the need to prepare the future workforce through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education as a pathway to achieving sustainable development.
He  made this remark while declaring open the 4th Annual International Conference of the Department of Science Education, held from Wednesday,at the Faculty of Education Auditorium.
The vice chancellor commended the department for choosing a theme that aligns with his vision for the University and expressed optimism that the conference would produce a communiqué with clear strategies for the future.
Also speaking,the Head of Department, Science Education, Dr. Dorathy Ekineh,  stated that the convergence of STEM Education, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Sustainable Development is crucial in shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem solvers.
According to her, the conference provides an opportunity to explore, discuss, and collaborate on strategies to equip the workforce with the skills required to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.
Earlier In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Isaac N. Dokubo, described the conference as timely, noting that the world is rapidly embracing AI in all sectors.
He explained that the primary aim of the conference is to examine how AI and STEM Education can prepare tomorrow’s workforce to compete effectively with their counterparts globally.
 Delivering the keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Cheta Williams, stated that the workforce of the future will thrive at the intersection of STEM, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainability.
“If we align our education systems, innovations, and ethical compass, we will not just prepare for the future, we will shape it,” he stated .
He averred that the workforce of tomorrow is already being built today in classrooms, universities, innovation hubs, and government boardrooms,adding that the future is not something to wait for, but something to design and build together.
Also presenting a paper titled “STEM Education and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Future”, Prof. Keziah A. Achuonye from the Faculty of Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, highlighted the vital role of STEM in driving resilience and sustainable growth.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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