Education
FG Lauds SPDC, Others Over Investments In Education
Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, has commended the Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) over their investments in education.
Adamu spoke recently in Port Harcourt at the finals of the National Safety Competition for Senior Secondary Schools, jointly sponsored by SPDC-Joint Venture and FRSC.
He said the quiz competition which began in 2012 has instilled safety consciousness among senior secondary school students in the country.
“This competition has tremendously impacted positively on our children’s ability to becoming aware of their immediate environment.
“Aside the safety impacts; the competition has made students to take their studies seriously and improve on their reading culture.
“The ministry feels that this kind of competition should be sustained as it has potential to becoming a determinant factor that could save many lives on the roads,” he said.
Adamu, who was represented by Mrs Shotayo Olushola, an official of the ministry, said the ministry would support and encourage corporate bodies to invest in education.
Also speaking, Mr Osagie Okunbor, the Managing Director of SPDC Nigeria, said that 853 secondary schools with over 1,000 students participated in the 2015/2016 edition.
He said the participants represented schools from across 34 states and the Federal Capital Territory, adding that two states could not participate due to ‘assess issues.’
“This competition is designed to encourage young people to think safety, so that as they grow up they will encourage their parents and peers to observe safety behaviours.
“We intended to expand the programme to accommodate more schools and students but unable to do so due to paucity of funds caused by low oil price and vandalism of our pipelines.
“SPDC will not relent in its commitment to investing in education in the country in spite of our dwindling revenue,” he assured.
Okunbor, who was represented by Mrs Gloria Udoh, SPDC’s Manager, Social Performance and Investment, said the programme would be sustained provided funds were available.
Earlier, an Assistant Corps Special Marshall, Mr Victor Nwokolo, said the corps decided to partner with SPDC due to alarming rate of road accidents on the nation’s roads.
He said in 2015 alone, 5,440 persons died on the nation’s highways, partly caused by human, mechanical and environment factors.
According to him, FRSC partnership with SPDC has been so rewarding to road users in areas of promotion of road use literacy; prompt care to crash victims.
“This competition has since its inception featured over 3,000 schools and our forecast is that in the next five years, over 5,000 schools will enter the competition.” he said.
Some participating students, who spoke to newsmen thanked the organisers for the programme, saying it had afforded them the opportunity to acquire knowledge in safety.
Micheal Okpara University Demonstration School, Umudike, Abia emerged winner, while Concordia College, Yola, Adamawa and St. Louis Secondary School, Kano came second and third 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.