Education
Commissioner Charges ASUP On Constructive Demands
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Kaniye Ebeku, has charged members of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology Chapter, to engage government constructively whilst making demands.
A statement signed by the Special Assistant on Media to the Commissioner, Faustina Eugene-Nwanekwu, disclosed that Ebeku gave the charge in Port Harcourt when the union paid him a courtesy visit in his office, last Friday.
While urging the union, “to exhaust all channels of dialogue before taking any other steps, if need be”, Ebeku encouraged the new Executive members of the union to work for the benefit of the chapter and the college by “building bridges and mending fences”.
He also congratulated the new Executive on their election, and assured the union of the state government’s commitment in strengthening the education sector, adding that the challenges articulated during the visit would be addressed.
Earlier, Leader of the delegation and Chairman of the chapter, Dr Richard Iloma, said the reason for the visit was to formally present the members of the new Executive to the commissioner.
Iloma expressed willingness of the union to “strengthen existing partnership ties with the ministry in order to provide the needed enabling environment conducive for learning.
“We consider it appropriate to introduce to you the newly inaugurated Chapter Executive Committee of ASUP in Rivers State College of Health Science and Technology, and also explore ways to partner with you and collaborate with your ministry in ensuring that we provide the needed environment conducive for learning and retraining of essential healthcare manpower in the college”, he said.
He assured the commissioner of the union’s readiness to constructively engage the government, noting that “under our reign, we will engage meaningfully. Where there is a need, we will run to you to let you know our challenges”.
Iloma further commended the efforts of the Rivers State Government in upgrading the college to a polytechnic status in 2019 “with all consequential benefits”, and enumerated some challenges the college was facing.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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ASTEC Foundation Schools (AFS) owned by the seventh_ day adventist church had the distinct honour of hosting the President of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC), Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara, on his first official pastoral visit to the institution Owerrita in Abia state, recently.
The visit which marked a significant moment in the history of the school, featured the dedication of the newly landscaped roads, dedication of renovated buildings and the consecration of pupils and staff.
The ENUC President who was accompanied by the President of the Aba North Conference (ANC), Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo, further emphasized the importance of the visit and the strong support of the Church leadership toward the advancement of Adventist education.
It is noteworthy that Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Management of ASTEC, demonstrating his deep commitment to the institution’s progress and mission.
Addressing the teachers students and pupils of the college at Owerrenta in Abia state over the weekend,Pastor Opara charged the teachers to see themselves as missionaries within the school system, emphasizing the need to model Christ-like character and values before the pupils entrusted to their care.
He encouraged them to regard their profession as a divine calling, shaping both the intellectual and spiritual lives of the learners.
In his welcome address, the Principal of ASTEC, Pastor Ahaoma Chigozirim Nwanma, PhD, warmly received the distinguished guests. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the ENUC leadership for their continued support and commitment to the growth of the Adventist institution and humbly solicited their prayers for the staff and pupils.
The Headmistress of ASTEC Foundation Schools, Mrs. Charity Nwankwo, delivered the vote of thanks, and expressed deep gratitude to Pastor Opara for his pastoral visit and dedicatory prayers. She also acknowledged Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo and the ASTEC community leadership team for their consistent support, guidance, and commitment to the development of the Foundation Schools.
A special recognition was accorded to the PTA Chairman, Hon. (MG) Uzoma George, for his invaluable contributions and steadfast support to the school.
The visit was graced by ASTEC community leaders, as well as members of AFS staff and pupils, who gave a warm and enthusiastic reception to the visiting dignitaries.
The visit and dedication ceremony reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Church and school leadership to fostering a conducive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development.
By: Akujobi Amadi
In a bid to preserve the cultural heritage and promote the values of Opobo Kingdom, the Ibani Language will be reinstated and incorporated into the various communities and institutions of learning.
This reinstatement was declared by the Amanyanabo-Elect of Opobo Kingdom, Alabo Charles Douglas MacPepple-Jaja, Jeki VI , saying that the initiative will take effect from next month
The Amanyanabo-Elect made this statement during his speech recently in port Harcourt,where he stated that the initiative was a key component hinged on his five-point agenda.
The Monarch explained that the goal was to enhance the indigenous language and incorporate everyone at different strata including children and youths from ages 4-16.
The King Elect further added that, in order to achieve this, there would be deployment of modern multimedia tools to facilitate the process.
The Monarch also assured that research techniques will be deployed as there will be partnership with schools and communities across the Opobo clan.
He maintained that the execution of the project is a major step in the preservation of the Ibani Language and Cultural heritage of the people.
Members of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have taken bold steps regarding the deteriorating educational standards across the state and called for urgent government actions to stem the tide. They argued that both basic and secondary schools across the 23 local government areas of the state require state government action towards restructuring the highly decayed infrastructure.
This was part of the eight-point communique reached at the end of the special congress of the union in Port Harcourt to mark the first-year anniversary of the present union leadership in the state. The union observed that if no immediate government action is taken to address the infrastructural decay in public schools in the state, the educational future in the state will be a mirage.
The communiqué signed by
Mr. Paul Bazia -Nsaneh
Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council ,
Ijeoma Tubosia Ph.D
Secretary NUJ Rivers State Council , and members of the
Communique Drafting Committee.
Dr. Justice Ihunwo – Chairman ,
Dr. Joy Grant-Amadi – Secretary and
Mr. Chukwudi Ejimofor – Member reaffirmed the position of the union on the state affairs and the nation at large.
The union also urged the state government, as a matter of urgent public concern, to commence the immediate employment of new teachers to fill the gaps caused by the dearth of teachers, stressing the need to post the would-be new teachers to local communities that are lacking teaching manpower.
Recently, the newly appointed Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr. Peters Nwagor, reaffirmed his commitment to implementing transformative education with the sole purpose of achieving inclusive and equitable learning across the state.
We hope that the commissioner will match his words with action and swing into action to give schools in the state a breath on new academic life.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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