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

UNIPort Senate Grants Two-Year Amnesty to U2010–U2018 Students

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt Rivers state has approved a special two-year amnesty for students admitted between the 2010/2011 and 2018/2019 academic sessions who were unable to complete their programmes within the stipulated period.

This was contained in a statement by the university public relations officer,Dr Sammy Kpenu and made available to the tide over the weekend in port Harcourt.

The statement stated that eligible students are expected to submit formal applications addressed to the Vice Chancellor through their respective Heads of Department for review and necessary consideration.

The statement further stated that the approval provides a renewed opportunity for affected students to return, regularize their academic status, and successfully complete their studies.

According to the statement the amnesty also offers a fresh opportunity to students who had issues related to overstaying or other challenges that forced them to discontinue their programmes, to return and complete their academic pursuits.

The statement however said that the deadline for submission of applications end on 31st May, 2026 and therefore urge the affected students to take full advantage of the window the amnesty provided to realise their academic dreams.

Education

Education Commissioner Seeks media collaboration in Rivers

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro

Education

“FPOG Bonny Deepens Learning With Hands-On Expedition to NLNG Nature Park”

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

Academic expeditions and excursions take learning beyond the classroom, fostering personal growth, cultural understanding, and hands-on engagement with history, science, and nature. For the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, such outings are a strategic tool for bridging theory with practice.

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Department of Science Laboratory Technology led students on an academic excursion to the NLNG Nature Park in Bonny. The team was led by the Head of Unit, Elizabeth Jumbo, alongside Ikor Peter, Usman Thaha, and Elekwachi Progress. The trip was designed to connect classroom instruction with real-life experiences.

According to the department, the excursion sought to deepen learning by linking theoretical knowledge with tangible, real-world exposure. The exercise also aimed to enhance student engagement and retention while promoting social-emotional skills such as collaboration and empathy. It further catered to diverse learning styles among the students.

Academic excursions offer clear benefits. Abstract concepts become concrete when students encounter them firsthand. A history lesson comes alive in a museum, while scientific principles are better understood in natural settings. Such interactive experiences are often more memorable than text-based learning alone.

The outings also build critical soft skills. Trips foster self-confidence, teamwork, communication, and resilience. They broaden cultural awareness and perspective by exposing students to new environments and ideas. For many, the experience sparks curiosity, promotes empathy, and can even influence future career paths.

At its core, the goal is to make learning personal, relevant, and interactive. The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny says it is committed to providing a compass to academic excellence through active learning, consistent organization, and holistic student well-being. The SLT excursion reflects that approach in action.