Opinion
Expanding The Education Horizon
At the inception of Governor Wike administration, there was a clear indication that the blue print to chart the course of development was being put in place.
That blue print christened New Rivers vision was packaged to ensure that the people of Rivers State enjoy the dividends of democracy. It will be recalled that at a two day retreat organized for the missionaries and drivers of this vision at Onne multi-purpose Centre in the first weeks of this administration in 2015, Governor Wike had expressed confidence that his fledgling administration then, had been equipped with relevant strategies to give governance in the state a meaningful enterprise, value driven and goal oriented.
The new vision of hope covers all sectors of development.
“It reads: “To build a state that is truly united, secure and prosperous with boundless opportunities for everyone who lives in it to peacefully pursue their goals and realize their full potentials in dignity and happiness”. This vision is driven by the Mission “To actualize the aspiration of Rivers people for a balanced development…. Indeed, any development that does not take human capital Development into serious consideration, cannot talk about a balanced development. Governor Wike’s stride in Education is therefore commendable. It has opened a new horizon in governance. MALCOM X once said “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today”.
The contribution of the present administration in Education has added so much value to the growth of Rivers State, which in the seventies and eighties was branded an “Educationally disadvantaged state”.
The educational system in the state is today endowed with rich institutional infrastructure. Rivers State now has two states owned Universities, three polytechnics at Rumuola, Bori and Rumueme and a host of tertiary training institutions, including Federal University of Port Harcourt, Federal College of Education Technical, Omoku, Oil and Gas Polytechnic Bonny.
Privately funded institutions are also flourishing in Rivers State because of the enabling environment. Madona University, Elele, leads the list which includes PAMO Medical University at Elelenwo.
One remarkable development in the tertiary educational sector by the present administration is the upgrade of former college of Arts and Science to a full fledged polytechnic.
However, the most remarkable is the gargantuan expansion of the Rivers State University which was previously a specialized University of Science and Technology.
The First step Governor Wike administration took was the transformation of the Premier University of Science and Technology established in 1980 to an “All Discipline University, rechristened Rivers State University, to accommodate the Humanities and social sciences.
Also, a multi campus arrangement is in top gear. Ahoada, Emouha and Etche Local Government Areas are the beneficiaries of this development. More Rivers State students seeking University admission have thus been given more opportunities.
This also expands the horizon of Academics and scholars in the state to have more windows of opportunities to ply their trade.
A situation where some Ph.D holders teach in primary and secondary schools in the state will be minimized.
Through these expansions Governor Wike has created more opportunities.
Medical and Legal education have been given the necessary boost.
A State of the Art Teaching Hospital with a formidable Medical college has since been established at the Former Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital in old G.R.A (PH). The well equipped medical ivory tower also accommodates a school of Nursing and Pharmacy Department, among other paramedical faculties.
The present Administration has also extended its drive towards a sustainable medical education to the realm of scholarship. Today, a large number of Rivers Students of the PAMO medical University enjoy Rivers State Scholarship.
According to Benjamin Franklin, a former American President “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”
This reinforces the benefit of a knowledge driven economy anchored on sustainable educational development.
The New Rivers vision is indeed on a mission of educational sustainability in line with goal number four of the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations (SDGS). It can also be said to be in line with goal number nine which advocates industry, innovation and infrastructure among member nations.
The establishment of a campus of the Nigerian law school Port Harcourt has added a new Vista in Legal education not only in Rivers State but in Nigeria.
The campus of the Nigeria law School is located at the Former School of Nursing which is currently Part of the RSUTH. The Institute when completed will have a 1500 capacity classroom blocks, Hostel blocks for 1,638 students, multipurpose hall, 16 units of three bedroom flats staff quarters and recreational facilities.
This development has several implications and benefits for Rivers people.
According to the former president of N.B.A, O.C.J Okocha, it is a tunic for the vibrant legal practice in Rivers State. The campus will surely add value to the socio-economic development of Rivers State.
The carrying capacity of the Nigeria Law School will be enhanced to accommodate more Law Graduates.
Indeed, Governor Wike has opened a new horizon in the educational sector in Rivers State. There is an indication in the Governor’s giant strides in infrastructural development that reveals a hunger for more and Rivers people with audible commendations are asking for more rescue missions especially in the Public Service sector.
By: Bon Woke
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