Education
Don Calls For Reduction In Electoral Crises
The Dean, Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Professor Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, has called for a reduction in number of electoral crises across the country.
Professor Okogbule said this in an inaugural lecture titled: “Actualising Human Rights in a Globalising World: The Challenge for Africa”.
The university don also warned against the continous politicisation of the judiciary, stressing that the situation if not checked may truncate the nation’s nascent democracy.
“There is need to de-emphasis recourse to the courts in the resolution of political contestation.
“The practice today is that the slightest political dispute between persons is taken to the court. Undue pressure is thus put on judges who are often tempted and even corrupted by the political class.
“The result is the politicisation of the judiciary” he said.
The university don stressed the need for an entrenchment of a system that is more participatory and people centred.
“The people must become the centre-piece and focus of political governance and the judiciary should be enabled to plug a crucial role in the sustenance of the democratic process”.
Prof. Okogbule also stressed the need for the study of human rights to be made compulsory in schools while governments at all level must respect the fundamental rights of the people.
Speaking at the lecture, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Emefiok Essien commended the management of the Rivers State University for instituting an inaugural lecture series for the institution.
Professor Essien said that the large turn out for the lecture had shown that there is a hunger for knowledge in Rivers State.
Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Professor Blessing Didia, said that the issues raised by Professor Okogbule were not only topical, but need for the research.
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.