Education
CTC Member Sponsors Exams For 35 Students
In a bid effort to contribute to development of education, a member of the Caretaker Committee (CTC), Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State, Deacon Ogbu Chimezie has paid free WAEC registration fees for 35 students in Senior Secondary three in Obibi, Ikem and Akwukabi communities, with each of the beneficiaries receiving the sum of N14,500 which is the cost of the registration.
Speaking during the presentation of the money to the beneficiaries in a brief ceremony in Akwukabi, last Wednesay, Deacon Ogbu said the gesture was to support the various developmental efforts made in the area by the state Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike and the CTC chairman, Hon Egbuchulem Ebereonwu.
Ogbu, who doubles as the Supervisory Councilor for Works stated that the beneficiaries cut across both members of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other political parties as well as non indigenes residing in Ward 9, adding that the students were asked by the committee to present the original and stamped SS2 promotion result as an evidence to proof that they were genuine students.
According to him, he saved his three months salary to ensure that the project was actualised, adding that effort would be made to sustain the programme in future and make it to be a an annual event.
“I set out my three months’ salary for this programme to come to fulfillment. Many people paid deaf ear to the programme and refused to participate during the selection period, we only ask them to bring photocopy of their SS2 result as the only criteria for qualification but some complied, while others refused. Today we give God all the glory that we have succeeded in this project”, he added.
He used the opportunity to thank the member of Federal House of Representatives representing Etche/Omuma, Hon Chief Jerome Eke for the opportunity given him to serve in the leadership of the local government area, even as he urged the beneficiaries to justify the essence of the opportunity for which they were chosen.
In their various speeches, the Paramount Ruler of Obibi, Akwukabi and Ikem (Obaki), Eze Stanley Munonye Ogbu, the PDP Ward 9 chairman, Mr. Sabastine Nwodim, PDP stalwart, Kingsley Onu, youth leader, Akwukabi Community, Mr. Chigbundu Dike as well as Elder John Dick lauded the effort of the CTC member to pay the WAEC registration fees for the students and described the gesture as the first of its kind in the area.
They thanked Governor Wike and Hon Eke for the opportunity given their son to serve as a member of Etche Caretaker Committee and urged the beneficiaries to ensure that they use the money for the purpose it was meant for.
Responding on behalf of the parents, Mrs. Blessing Njoku thanked Deacon Chimezie Ogbu for the gesture, adding that his benevolence would save all the benefiting parents and students from further economic hardship with regards to the registration.
She prayed the Almighty God to reward him abundantly for remembering the indegent families in the area even as she promised judicious use of the money.
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.