Education
Don Seeks Preservation Of Ecosystem For Healthy Environment
A lecturer with University of Ibadan, Dr Olajumoke Alabi, has called on Nigerians to preserve the ecosystem, saying all living organisms can only survive in a healthy environment.
Alabi of the Department of Crop Protection and Environmental Biology of the university, made the call last Tuesday in Ibadan.
She made the appeal while delivering a faculty lecture on ‘Live and Let Live: Insect Pest Management for Improved Crop Production’.
Alabi who decried indiscriminate use of pesticide in crop cultivation said it polluted the environment.
“We may be heading for another apocalypse if we refuse to change our attitude and sustain the practice of live and let live.
“We should not be unconcerned about the plights of other living organisms in the environment, let us remember that the earth belongs to all living creatures,” she said.
Alabi, who is an agricultural entomologist, called for creation of an insect rearing facility in the country and in the university, to raise continuous supply of insect species for research.
This, she said, would fast track research activities and also serve as source of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR).
Alabi expressed the need for upgrading and refurbishment of the Insect Museum at the department to meet world standard and create IGR.
She appealed to concerned Nigerians to uplift the status of the country’s education system.
According to Alabi, those interested in conserving biodiversity should support the department to achieve the goal.
She stressed the need for establishment of state of the art equipment for crop protection research.
“We need to create sericulture unit for entrepreneurship and IGR, we can set up and manage a sericulture unit for the university.
“Pests and diseases are biotic factors that can significantly limit crop productivity,’’ Alabi said.
She listed some of the benefits that man derived from insects to include honey, propolis, beeswax, wood finish, artificial human nails, silk, and thread for suturing surgery patients.
According to Alabi, humans derive good protein and highly digestible, rich sources of fat, vitamins and minerals, especially iron and zinc, from insects.
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.