Education

USAID Distributes 5.2m Storybooks To 157,000 Pupils

Published

5 years ago

May 29, 2021

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has supported the distribution of supplementary Hausa reading materials – Ina Son Karatu! (I Want to Read! in Hausa) – to 157,000 primary grade learners in Adamawa and Gombe states.

The USAID Strengthening Education in Northeast Nigeria (SENSE) activity, implemented by the American University of Nigeria (AUN), developed the packages for the two states, which contain more than 5.2million copies of educational reading material produced with USAID’s evidence-based early grade reading methodology using global best practices.

Speaking at the event, the USAID Mission Director, Anne Patterson said, “Through years of conflict, education in the northeast has been decimated.

“Working with AUN, we are helping to rebuild the system by providing materials that employ evidence-based methods to start thousands of children off on a lifetime of reading.”

At ceremonies in Gombe on May 26 and Yola on May 19, each learner received a take-home booklet that contains up to 30 different stories and books at varying levels designed to help them advance their reading competence over a whole academic year.

SENSE has encouraged parents to ask their children to read the stories to them after school to further improve their reading proficiency.

Over three years, SENSE will reach more than 200,000 learners, and train and provide teaching materials to 5,000 teachers to improve reading in the Hausa language.

SENSE helps enable the education systems in Gombe and Adamawa to deliver accessible high-quality education that responds to the needs of all children.

The SENSE approach to encouraging reading is supported by research on effective methods of teaching reading in the early grades.

A USAID-supported study by the American Institutes for Research identifies that the availability of plentiful reading materials in different forms relevant to the reader’s background, language, and interests for independent reading results in significantly higher results.

The SENSE activity has also trained and supplied teachers and learners with Mu Karanta!

Hausa teaching and learning materials developed under its sister USAID Northern Education (NEI) Plus activity, and the Reading and Numeracy Activity funded by UNICEF.

Education

RSU VC tasks new Deans on quality leadership, team work

Published

4 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Vice chancellor of the Rivers state university (RSU)Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt,prof Isaac Zeb -Obipi has tasked the newly inaugurated el Deans to be agents of positive leadership and foster team work in other to promote unity across their various facilities.

The Vice-Chancellor stated this while inaugurating the newly elected eleven Deans of the university held recently in port Harcourt and expressed his appreciation to the Committee of Provosts and Deans, led by the Provost, College of Medical Sciences, Prof. Kenneth S. Ordu, for their unwavering support since he assumed office, noting that such commitment was deeply valued.

He also commended the Electoral Committee chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Blessing R. Jaja, for conducting a free and noted that the committee addressed all issues and concerns with professionalism, a development which has informed Management’s decision to produce formal Electoral Guidelines and Code of Conduct in a Handbook for use in future elections.

The Vice-Chancellor congratulated the newly elected Deans on their emergence, describing their success as a clear indication of the confidence reposed in them by members of their respective faculties.

He urged them to provide quality leadership, foster unity, uphold mutual respect regardless of status, and ensure inclusive administration in the discharge of their duties.

The newly inaugurated Deans are Prof. John Ohaka (Faculty of Administration and Management), Prof. David Kiin-Kabari (Faculty of Agriculture), Prof. Barigbon G. Nsereka (Faculty of Communication and Media Studies), Prof. Isaac N. Dokubo (Faculty of Education), Prof. Enwuso Aleruchi Igwe (Faculty of Engineering), Prof. Paulinus W. Ihua (Faculty of Environmental Sciences), Prof. Jones M. Jaja (Faculty of Humanities), Prof. Grace Akolokwu (Faculty of Law), Prof. Ebirien-Agana S. Bartimaues (Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science), Prof. Ndokiari Boisa (Faculty of Science), and Prof. Emmanuel B. Okemini (Faculty of Social Sciences).

The highlight of the ceremony was the administration of the oath of office by the Director of Legal Services, Barr. Tamuno Williams, followed by the signing of the Dean’s Register and presentation of appointment letters to the Deans by the Vice-Chancellor.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

FG commends FUET over historic beginning as VC lament over poor funding

Published

4 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government has commended the Vice chancellor of the Federal University of Environment and Technology, Sakpenwa in Tai local government area of the state for the historic landmarks commencement of the university.

The minister of Education,Dr Maruf Tunji Alausa made the commendation in his good will message presented during the median matriculation ceremony held at the main campus of the university in Saakpenwa , recently.

Alausa described the event as a historic event which marks a defining milestone in the life of this noble institution noting that the establishment of the Federal University in Ogoni, is a clear demonstration of the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to expanding access to quality higher education, promoting environmental sustainability and addressing the unique ecological and developmental challenges of the Niger Delta region.

The minister who was represented on the occasion by Dr Sunday Ajide, Director, Federal Ministry of Education & Governing Council members Stressed that the choice of environment and technology as the core mandate of this university is both timely and strategic.

According to him,In an era where climate change, environmental degradation, renewable energy, and sustainable development dominate global discourse, this institution is well-positioned to become a centre of excellence in research, innovation, and solutions-driven scholarship , adding that he is confident that the university will play a critical role in producing skilled professionals, researchers, and leaders who will contribute meaningfully to national development and global environmental stewardship.

Today’s matriculation ceremony is particularly significant, as it formally welcomes the pioneer cohort of students into the academic community. To our dear matriculating students, I congratulate you for earning admission into this prestigious institution at this historic moment. You are trailblazers. “

The minister commended the Vice-Chancellor, members of the Governing Council, Management, and staff for their dedication, resilience, and hard work in bringing this university to life within a short period , adding that there commitment to building strong academic structures, fostering a culture of excellence, and creating a conducive learning environment is worthy of high commendation.

He assured that the Federal Ministry of Education will continue to support the university community in the areas of policy guidance, infrastructural development, staff capacity building, accreditation of programmes, and funding in line with available resources

Also speaking,the pro_chancellor and Chairman,governing council of the university,prof Dan Baridam congratulated the students for

scaling the first hurdle by securing admission into the emergent Federal University of Environment and Technology.

Prof Baridam (rtd) urged the students to always remember the reason you are here as they embark on the life defining journey. Let the fact not be lost on you that you are here to acquire new knowledge and operational skills that would change your lives and change society.

He advised them to intentionally engage in productive networking and participate in lawful extracurricular activities that develop skills beyond academics

“. I urge you to set personal high academic standards for yourself if you hope to return to this arena for your graduation ceremony in four or five years, depending, of course, on your choice of study. “

The former vice chancellor of university of port Harcourt advised the students not to celebrate their admission into this University beyond today but must start now, and now means after this matriculation ceremony. “Do you want to attain high grades? Start now. Do you want to deliver the Valedictory Address on your graduation day? Start now. Do you want the audience to stand up for you as a champion? Start now. Remember this: everything you achieved in the past pales into insignificance compared to what lies ahead “

He congratulated the students for

scaling the first hurdle by securing admission into the emergent Federal University of Environment and Technology.

In his opening remarks,the Vice chancellor of the university,prof prince Chinedu Mmom said

It is with great pleasure and a joyous heart that he welcomes you all to the maiden Matriculation Ceremony of the Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, Ogoni, Rivers State , noting event marks the beginning of an exciting journey in the pursuit of knowledge, growth, and a culture of academic excellence by these candidates, who will shortly join the FUET Family.

Mmom averred that the University’s Matriculation Oath, will transform them into bona fide and pioneer student members of the Federal University of Environment and Technology , adding that Matriculation Ceremony marks a very significant step by all those applicants who sought to be part of a focused community of scholars, innovators, and leaders who are committed to making a positive impact in Rivers State, Nigeria, and on the world stage.

The vice chancellor while reading the root act to the students,told them that the university authority will not tolerate the distasteful practice of students’ involvement in cult-related activities, examination malpractice, sexual harassment, drug abuse, offering grades for money, sale of handouts and unapproved books or manuals, especially through the so-called Faculty or Departmental “Representatives”, indecent dressing, and all other forms of misconduct that are listed in our rules book.

He used the opportunity to inform the people that the university has not received any financial assistance from both the federal and state government since inception, adding that the institution has been surviving through individual supports

The climax of the event was the unveiling of kenuele Saro wiwa statue and launching of founders day endowment support fund among others.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

RSU lecturer harps on tenancy rent

Published

4 days ago

February 9, 2026

The Tide

Professor Richard Wokocha, a lecturer in the Department of Public Law at the Rivers State University has said landlords have no right to violate a tenant’s fundamental human rights.

Professor Wokocha says landlords should go to a Magistrate Court to seek legal recovery of their property, adding that any action taken without a valid court order is unconstitutional.

He explains that landlords must give yearly tenants a six-month quit notice. On compensation, Professor Richard Wokocha says if the court establishes that a landlord acted illegally, the court may award damages it considers appropriate, which may be up to or less than the tenant’s claimed amount.

Recall that police attached to the Ozuoba Police Division arrested a man identified as Frimpong Samuel for allegedly removing the roof of his tenant’s apartment along NTA Road after the tenant, Tochukwu Anozie, failed to vacate the property two weeks after his rent expired. The tenant has since demanded N25 million in damages, claiming his belongings were destroyed by rain following the landlord’s action.