Education
NICO Commences Campaigns Against Drug Abuse, Cultism In Secondary Schools
The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) has launched a campaign against drug abuse, cultism, indecent dressing and all forms of social vices in secondary schools beginning with schools in Imo State.
The campaign has so far been taken to nine schools in the state.
Speaking at Ikenegbu Girls Secondary School, Owerri, the state capital, the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive Officer, NICO, Ado Muhammed Yahuza, said that the Federal Government believes in catching the students young.
Represented by the Director, NICO, South East Zonal Officer, Mrs. Chioma Duru, Yahuza said that the Federal Government was optimistic that establishing cultural clubs in secondary schools would aid the government in the fight against all forms of social vices, including insecurity.
Yahuza said, “We are establishing cultural clubs in secondary schools across the nation in a bid to address the current realities with regards to globalisation and advancement in information and communication technology, which have impacted negatively on the society with the youths being the worst hit in the area of upsurge in crime and immorality; cultism; drug use and abuse; indecent dressing; mental laziness and examination malpractices.
“The objective was to foster a sense of cultural direction through the clubs, which would serve as a platform for the campaign against the vices listed above.”
He advised the students to be on their guard so as not to get swallowed up while they assimilate foreign values.
The NICO boss intimated that the cultural club would engage in cultural debates, quiz competitions in indigenous languages, fashion parade, traditional dances, seminars, and lectures, among others.
Yahuza said that the job of having a secured society starts with raising children who would have no interest in taking to crimes, adding that the establishment of cultural clubs in secondary schools would help in having a crime free society.
The inauguration ceremony featured presentation of gift items to Girls’ Secondary School Ikenegbu.
Gifts such as laptop computer, projector, exercise books and pens, nose masks and big writing board were handed out to the school.
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.