Education
2,358 Youth Corpers Begin Orientation In Rivers
A total of about 2,358 youth corps members of 2017 Batch ‘A’ stream II of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme, have been sworn-in in Rivers State as a pre requisite of the completion of their graduation.
The induction ceremony was part of the three-week orientation activities and programmes geared toward equipping and training the youth corpers in coping with societal challenges as well as teaching them how to adapt and live together in their various areas of primary assignment while serving in the state.
Speaking at the brief ceremony during the swearing-in programe held at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Nonwa Gbam, over the weekend, the state NYSC Co-ordinator, Mr Omotayo David Adewoye announced that about 2,358 corps members who were participating in the batch A stream were serving in the state and out of which, 1,398 were males while 950 were females.
Adewoye while congratulating the corps members on their academic success in their various courses of study urged them to be diligent during the period of their orientation training.
According to him, the scheme was instituted in the country after the 1963 Civil War with the aim to restructure and reintegrate Nigerian youths to promote unity and oneness across the county.
The state NYSC Director urged them to use the period of their service to their fatherland to contribute their own quota to both social and economic development of the nation, adding that they would be tutored in various lectures during their camping, even as he urged them to abide by the rules governing the camp.
“This scheme is designed to re-orient to promote integration, unity especially among the youths completing their first degree courses. There will be several lectures you will be put into during this period, try and key in so as to equip yourself with the task ahead of you”.
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.