Education
RIVPOLY Rector Lauds Alumni For Education
He Rector of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, Prof. T.G. Sokari, has lauded Alumni Assocations in the country for the important role they play in the development of education.
Prof. Sokari made the commendation when the members of the Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association (Rivers State Branch) paid him a courtesy visit in his office at the Polytechnic, Bori.
The Rector noted, with pleasure, the contributions of the Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Assocation (Rivers State Branch) to the development of University education in the counry, some of which are the arrangement of the donation of high-tech petroleum engineering software packages valued at US $520,000 from six Canadian leading technology companies to five educational institutions in Nigeria, including the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and also the donation of computers to some faculties and departments in the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
Prof. Sokari, an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, said he was proud to be associated with the laudable efforts of the Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association (Rivers State Branch) and pledged his continued contributions to the Association to enable it achieve set goals.
Earlier, the chairman of the Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association (Rivers State Banch), Dr. Jessica Ezekiel-Hart had said that the visit was to identify with Prof. T.G. Sokari as an Alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University and congratulate him on his well deserved appointment as the Rector of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori.
Dr. Ezekiel Hart hinted that the Association would soon organise a Fund Raising Ceremony in Port Harcourt to support University education in Nigeria, with particular focus on the infrastructural development of the Ahmadu Bello University and disclosed that the fund raising ceremony would also feature a public lecture and the presentation of Awards to some distinguished Alumni of the Ahmadu Bello University, including Prof. T.G. Sokari, the rector of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori.
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.