Education
Commissioner Tasks Secretaries On Success
Following the inauguration of Education Secretaries into the 23 local government areas of the State, the Rivers State commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence Nemi, has tasked them to ensure they succeed in their new assignment.
The commissioner, who gave the charge recently however, assured them that all assistance they required to make them succeed will be available for them.
“I state categorically that you have no reason to fail. You must live up to expectation you are not an island. You are subject to the authorities of the Board and Ministry of Education. You are expected to inspect the schools under your watch regularly and report back to the Board with dispatch,” she said.
While urging the newly inaugurated secretaries to consider their appointment as a privilege to prove their mettle towards making contributions to achieve the goals and vision of Governor Chibuike Amaechi in education, the commissioner charged them to make quality education the watchword.
“Where quality is, mediocrity has no place. This is why you have been brought in to join the current campaign in rebranding education in Rivers State, particularly the primary and junior secondary education,” she said.
According to the commissioner, the emphasis on primary and junior secondary education at this juncture is necessitated by the fact of their strategic nature.
This level of education is the bedrock for quality education, if you get it right at the primary level, we are on our way to sustainable and functional education that would be the pride of all, “Dame Nemi said.
While reminding them of their position as representatives of the state government at that level of administration, the commissioner also re-iterated the state government’s commitment to revolutionalise education in the state through the provision of world class infrastructure designed to motivate teachers, pupils and students into “greater teaching and learning, which will change their mental and psychological orientation.
Sogbeba Dokubo
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.