Education
Don Charges FG On Educational Standards
A Professor of Neuro Biochemistry of the University of Benin, Edo State, Prof Emmanuel A.C. Nwanze has urged the Federal Government to constitute a committee that will prepare an appropriate blue print for restoring global and international standards in all the segments of the nation’s education.
Nwanze made the call while delivering the 30th Convocation Lecture of the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt on the topic: “Mandatory Must Dos for World-class Education at the university’s Amphitheatre in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
He also said that for our education sector to attain world class status, government at all levels must avoid flip flopping in education policy, politicisation of education, proliferation in education centres as well as the need to increase the existing capacity management, among others.
He averred that the massive rot and corruption in the larger society has planted its big foot in the nation’s Ivory tower, adding that there was urgent need to return of the mentors and mentees schemes in the country especially in the education system.
According to him, democratising the university governance, sanitising the admission process, reeducation of campus violence, enhancing examination/teaching ethics as well as providing an enabling and conducive environment for effective educational system were some of the mandatory antidotes that university managers must employ for the system to be revamped.
“This is the true meaning of bonding between the Ivory tower and the society at large. I cannot come to terms with the University of Benin being adjudged a front-runner in that competition whilst lynchings are still reported in the society. It must mean that the ivory in us has its downstream impact on the society around us”, he said.
The former vice chancellor of the University of Benin opined that corruption in the country could be eradicated if adequate and concerted efforts can be made toward improving the standard of education in the country and added that attention be given to the younger generation through effective education system.
“The corruption we are crying about has left the older folks and concentrated on how to equip the younger ones through qualitative education, then, we will win the war against corruption”, he added.
He urged various university managements in the country to strive to always involve their students union leadership in the management of their various institutions adding that it was the best way to curb crises and to attain stability in the school.
Also speaking, the chairman of the convocation lecture and former governor of Rivers State, Sir Celestine Omehia noted that education playssignificant roles in the development of any society and nation at large.
He commended the guest lecturer for his brilliant and thought- provoking lecture which dwelt on things that must be done for the revamping of the nation’s educational system and added that efforts should be made to advance the crèche, nursery, primary and secondary schools which he said were the foundations of every education.
In his own speech, the Vice Chancellor of RSU, Prof Blessing Chimezie Didia said the lecture would be beneficial for effective university management.
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.