Education

ASUU Gives Recipe For Stable Varsity Education

Published

15 years ago

June 27, 2011

The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) chapter, Port Harcourt, has said that total implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement would restore stable and sustainable education in the state-owned university.

Chairman of ASUU in the University Dr Felix Igwe who stated this in an exclusive with The Tide in Port Harcourt over the weekend explained that the extension of retirement age of professors from 65 to 70 by the National Assembly has only addressed small part of the several problems in the university system which the agreement meant to tackle.

Dr Igwe’s reaction on the state of affairs on the nation’s university system is coming on the heels of the declaration of the President of the union, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie that the union insists on total implementation of the agreement inspite of the passage of the bill by the National Assembly extending the retirement age of professors.

The RSUST ASUU boss however described the passage of the bill as a welcomed development and appealed to the state government to adopt it including other provisions of the 2009 agreement to ensure stable and sustainable University education in the state owned universities.

He expressed dissatisfaction over the inability of the governing council/administration of the RSUST and the state government to fulfil the terms of the agreement signed with the union on February 4, 2011 for the implementation of the 2009 FGN/ASUU agreement in the university.

Meanwhile, the president of Academic Staff Union of Universities, Professor Ukachukwu Awuzie has said that the union was still not satisfied with the federal government inspite of the passage of a bill by the National Assembly extending retirement age of professors from 65 to 70 years.

Prof. Awuzie told newsmen in Lagos that the union was insisting on the total implementation of the agreement to avoid any form of breakdown in the education sector.

“Information made available to us from the National Assembly has it that it had just passed the bill of retirement age for lecturers in the professional cadre.”

“I think by this action, government has just started. It is just scratching the surface of the issue and this to a large extent does not show any form of seriousness in taking the sector to its premier position,” he said.

Awuzie said that the passage of just the retirement age of professors bill alone, coupled with the low amount allocated for education in the 2011 budget showed that the repositioning of the sector was going to take some time to achieve.

He said governments must be alive to their responsibilities in tackling challenges in the sector holistically, if they desired to rank among the world best economies.

According to Awuzie, the implementation of these provisions is crucial for the ability of the universities to survive and realize the goal of the agreement to reposition the universities in an effort to meet international standards.

Isaac Nwankwo

Education

ENUC President tasks ASTEC foundation Schools on dedication, value oriented teaching

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

ASTEC Foundation Schools (AFS) owned by the seventh_ day adventist church had the distinct honour of hosting the President of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC), Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara, on his first official pastoral visit to the institution Owerrita in Abia state, recently.

The visit which marked a significant moment in the history of the school, featured the dedication of the newly landscaped roads, dedication of renovated buildings and the consecration of pupils and staff.

The ENUC President who was accompanied by the President of the Aba North Conference (ANC), Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo, further emphasized the importance of the visit and the strong support of the Church leadership toward the advancement of Adventist education.

It is noteworthy that Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Management of ASTEC, demonstrating his deep commitment to the institution’s progress and mission.

Addressing the teachers students and pupils of the college at Owerrenta in Abia state over the weekend,Pastor Opara charged the teachers to see themselves as missionaries within the school system, emphasizing the need to model Christ-like character and values before the pupils entrusted to their care.

He encouraged them to regard their profession as a divine calling, shaping both the intellectual and spiritual lives of the learners.

In his welcome address, the Principal of ASTEC, Pastor Ahaoma Chigozirim Nwanma, PhD, warmly received the distinguished guests. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the ENUC leadership for their continued support and commitment to the growth of the Adventist institution and humbly solicited their prayers for the staff and pupils.

The Headmistress of ASTEC Foundation Schools, Mrs. Charity Nwankwo, delivered the vote of thanks, and expressed deep gratitude to Pastor Opara for his pastoral visit and dedicatory prayers. She also acknowledged Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo and the ASTEC community leadership team for their consistent support, guidance, and commitment to the development of the Foundation Schools.

A special recognition was accorded to the PTA Chairman, Hon. (MG) Uzoma George, for his invaluable contributions and steadfast support to the school.

The visit was graced by ASTEC community leaders, as well as members of AFS staff and pupils, who gave a warm and enthusiastic reception to the visiting dignitaries.

The visit and dedication ceremony reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Church and school leadership to fostering a conducive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Opobo Kingdom moves to incorporate Ibani Language Into School Curriculum, Takes Off April

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

In a bid to preserve the cultural heritage and promote the values of Opobo Kingdom, the Ibani Language will be reinstated and incorporated into the various communities and institutions of learning.

This reinstatement was declared by the Amanyanabo-Elect of Opobo Kingdom, Alabo Charles Douglas MacPepple-Jaja, Jeki VI , saying that the initiative will take effect from next month

The Amanyanabo-Elect made this statement during his speech recently in port Harcourt,where he stated that the initiative was a key component hinged on his five-point agenda.

The Monarch explained that the goal was to enhance the indigenous language and incorporate everyone at different strata including children and youths from ages 4-16.

The King Elect further added that, in order to achieve this, there would be deployment of modern multimedia tools to facilitate the process.

The Monarch also assured that research techniques will be deployed as there will be partnership with schools and communities across the Opobo clan.

He maintained that the execution of the project is a major step in the preservation of the Ibani Language and Cultural heritage of the people.

Education

NUJ demands strong actions in revamping education in Rivers

Published

2 days ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Members of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have taken bold steps regarding the deteriorating educational standards across the state and called for urgent government actions to stem the tide. They argued that both basic and secondary schools across the 23 local government areas of the state require state government action towards restructuring the highly decayed infrastructure.

This was part of the eight-point communique reached at the end of the special congress of the union in Port Harcourt to mark the first-year anniversary of the present union leadership in the state. The union observed that if no immediate government action is taken to address the infrastructural decay in public schools in the state, the educational future in the state will be a mirage.

The communiqué signed by

Mr. Paul Bazia -Nsaneh

Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council ,

Ijeoma Tubosia Ph.D

Secretary NUJ Rivers State Council , and members of the

Communique Drafting Committee.

Dr. Justice Ihunwo – Chairman ,

Dr. Joy Grant-Amadi – Secretary and

Mr. Chukwudi Ejimofor – Member reaffirmed the position of the union on the state affairs and the nation at large.

The union also urged the state government, as a matter of urgent public concern, to commence the immediate employment of new teachers to fill the gaps caused by the dearth of teachers, stressing the need to post the would-be new teachers to local communities that are lacking teaching manpower.

Recently, the newly appointed Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr. Peters Nwagor, reaffirmed his commitment to implementing transformative education with the sole purpose of achieving inclusive and equitable learning across the state.

We hope that the commissioner will match his words with action and swing into action to give schools in the state a breath on new academic life.

By: Akujobi Amadi