Education
RSG Hails PH Poly On Leadership
The Rivers State Government has commended the management team of the Port Harcourt Polytechnic led by Dr Samuel Kalagbor over what it described as leadership by example and commitment in the development of the institution.
The State Commissioner for Education, Dr Tamunosisi Gogo-Jaja made the commendation when he paid an official visit to the institution, last Monday as part of the state government’s preparation toward the accreditation visit by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTB) to the institution soon.
Gogo-Jaja commended the management of the institution on their efforts to fight cultism and other anti-social vices in the school adding that the state government was happy on the feats achieved by the management.
“Let me thank you on how you were able to manage your students. This is an institution where we have not recorded any case of cultism. We must commend the management and lecturers for their commitment and dedication. The state government will provide a good learning environment within its reach”, he said.
The State Commissioner for Education while responding on the request made by the Rector on the need to approve the employment of more staff for the polytechnic however said what the Ministry plans to do is rationalisation of staff.
According to him, what the institution requires was to rationalise and put people where they will effectively be utilised, adding that the exercise will promote professionalism.
“We are not going to sack anybody, what we intend to do is to place people where they ought to be. By the time we finish with this exercise, you will see that you may not need the employment again”.
“The school currently has over 600 staff, both teaching and non-teaching, when we are through the system will function effectively, we will take people to their proper departments and faculties where they will perform creditably, then, i will raise memo to the governor on the employment issue if the need be”, he added”. Earlier in his speech, the Rector, Port Harcourt Polytechnic, Dr Samuel B. Kalagbor had commended the state commissioner for the visit and added that the visit would herald the achievement of the developmental needs of the institution.
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.