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‘RSG Determined To Provide Free, Qualitative Education’

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16 years ago

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The Rivers State Government has restated its determination to ensure free and compulsory qualitative education in all public schools in the state.

Making the declaration last Thursday at the first quarterly meting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) management with executive chairman of State Universal Basic Education Boards in Port Harcourt, the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi emphasized that “we have the will to do it, and we will continue to do it, God being our helper.”

Amaechi, who was represented by Barrister Osima Ginah, the state commissioner for Urban Development, noted that steps have been taken to ensure the success of the free education projects in the state.

He recalled that towards this end, the sum of N70 billion was appropriated to education in the 2010 approved budget in addition to the construction of child-friendly schools spread across the state in order to provide the best facilities for all.

“We believe that the children of the poor and those in the rural areas also deserve the good things of life,” he said.

According to the Governor, these and other notable steps were taken on the realisation that the education sector was almost moribund.

“On assumption of office in October 2007, my administration was faced with stark reality of a comatose education sector. Infrastructure were degenerating, while the morale of teachers and education managers was at its lowest ebb.

“Instructional materials could at best be described as scarce commodities as teachers unconsciously levied pupils and students to raise funds for the procurement of these needed materials for teaching and learning,” the Governor said.

Consequently, “we quickly realised that if growth and advancement of the state would be achieved, the citizenry must be properly educated as this will also liberate them from the shackles of poverty.”

So far, the governor explained that “all hindrances to the acquisition of education have been removed with the construction of model primary/secondary school fitted and equipped with modern world class facilities.”

In his opening speech, the executive secretary, UBEC, Dr Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed eulogised the state government in the provision of quality infrastructure and equipment of such schools, saying that Rivers State has set the pace for quality education in the country.

He explained that the essence of the quarterly meeting of UBEC management with SUBEB chairman has been to constantly review progress in basic education delivery in order to keep abreast with the UBE mandate.

Earlier in his welcome address, the executive chairman of RSUBEB, Dr Orutemeka, enumerated what the board had been doing towards the fulfillment of quality education in the state.

According to him, “on the part of the board, we have intensified monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning, restructure and merged schools for greater efficiency, carried out needs based training programmes for both teaching and non-teaching staff, provided teaching aids and consumables in schools, executed achievement tests for pupils, and maintained good relations with our various publics, including the UBEC, Abuja.

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Education

IAUE Trains HODs, Deans Ahead of NUC Resource Verification

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6 days ago

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August 17, 2026

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The Academic Planning Unit of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE, has organized a Pre-Resource Assessment Workshop for Heads of Department and Deans as part of preparations for the forthcoming NUC Resource Verification exercise.
The workshop held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Postgraduate Hall of the University. It drew professors, deans and HODs from across faculties.
Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu, the University Librarian, Prof. Emmanuel Okwu, welcomed principal officers and other participants. He described the session as critical to ensuring the University’s readiness for the NUC assessment.
Prof. Okwu stressed that the exercise was not routine but a strategic step toward meeting national standards. He urged participants to take the presentations seriously and implement recommendations in their departments.
The Director of the Academic Planning Unit, in his welcome address, said the workshop was designed to assess the level of preparedness of departments ahead of the verification. He noted that the University had already invested significantly in facilities and staffing and was now awaiting the NUC team.
Three resource persons took participants through key aspects of the verification process. The Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Joseph Kinanee, spoke on “NUC Resource Verification and Their Requirements.”
Prof. Levi Doe Kalagbor, Director of Quality Assurance, addressed “The Role of Staff in Successful Resource Verification Exercise.” Prof. Isaac Ogundu, Dean of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, presented on “NUC Scoring Format/Guide and Its Implication for Approval Status.”
The presentations were followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. Participants sought clarifications on documentation, facilities and staffing ratios, and received detailed responses from the facilitators.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Okwu thanked everyone for their active participation and engagement. He expressed optimism that IAUE would record a successful outcome in the upcoming NUC resource verification. The programme ended with a closing prayer and refreshments.
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UNIPORT VC Hails Postgraduate School Over Planned International Conference

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6 days ago

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August 17, 2026

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The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Chike Princewill, has commended the School of Graduate Studies for initiating an international conference, describing it as a timely move to boost research output, academic excellence and the University’s global visibility.
Prof. Princewill gave the commendation on Friday while receiving members of the conference planning committee set up by the School. The delegation was led by the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Doris Adameh.
He applauded the committee for conceiving the project and urged members to pursue it with diligence and strategic planning. According to him, such academic gatherings are critical to positioning UNIPORT as a hub for cutting-edge research in the region and beyond.
The Vice-Chancellor specifically charged the committee to engage the University’s alumni as strategic partners in the execution of the conference. He noted that their networks, experience and resources would add significant value to the event.
Prof. Princewill further directed the team to reach out to former postgraduate students of the University to solicit their support and cooperation. He said their involvement would help ensure wider participation and a more successful hosting.
He stressed that alumni remain vital stakeholders in the University’s growth agenda. “Their contributions can significantly enhance the success of the event and strengthen our academic and research profile,” he stated.
Earlier in her remarks, Prof. Adameh said the committee was constituted by the School of Graduate Studies to plan and deliver an international conference that meets global standards. She noted that the process was already underway.
Prof. Adameh explained that the conference is designed to bring together scholars, researchers and professionals from across the world. The goal, she added, is to advance knowledge exchange and foster academic collaboration that will benefit both the University and the wider scholarly community.
By: Amadi Akujobi
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Education Commissioner hails RSU’S  growth research as key to rivers development

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6 days ago

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August 17, 2026

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended Rivers State University, RSU, for its resilience, academic growth and research contributions, describing the institution as critical to the state’s socio-economic development.
Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during an official visit to the University in Nkpolu-Oroworukwo. He held talks with principal officers, provosts, campus heads, deans and directors at the Dr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building.
The Commissioner said the visit was to engage the University’s leadership on consolidating gains and strengthening capacity for quality teaching, cutting-edge research, innovation and community service. He noted that RSU occupies a strategic position in the state’s development agenda.
Reaffirming government’s commitment, Dr. Nwagor said education remains the bedrock of human capital development and economic transformation. He stressed that investments in infrastructure, staff development and digital learning must be matched with strong institutional systems, transparency and measurable outcomes.
He urged the University to prioritize key performance indicators such as accreditation performance, research output, internally generated revenue, student outcomes and graduate employability. According to him, these metrics should drive continuous improvement across faculties.
Dr. Nwagor also charged RSU to accelerate its digital transformation, establish research and innovation hubs to solve real societal problems, and maintain existing infrastructure. He advised management to explore sustainable funding through grants, endowments, alumni engagement and strategic industry partnerships.
The Commissioner emphasized that government and the University must play complementary roles. While government meets its statutory funding obligations, he said, the institution must strengthen internal efficiency and pursue legitimate private-sector collaborations.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, appreciated the State Government for its sustained support. He highlighted last year’s budgetary intervention for accreditation, approval of funds for the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies Film Festival slated for November 2026, and the implementation of the new minimum wage for RSU staff.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi, however, drew attention to pressing challenges. He cited shortages of teaching and non-teaching staff ahead of accreditation exercises, inadequate classrooms, libraries, equipment and office spaces, and acute accommodation deficits for staff and students.
The Vice-Chancellor appealed for support to recruit more personnel, retain retired academics on contract, and engage sabbatical and adjunct lecturers. He also requested funding for NUC and professional accreditation scheduled for October, stressing that successful outcomes are vital to RSU’s competitiveness. He reaffirmed management’s commitment to work with government to position RSU as a leading centre of knowledge, research and innovation.
By Amadi Akujobi
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