Education
Agip Commissions Six Classroom Blocks In Omoku
As part of efforts to boost education at the primary foundation level, the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC), has commissioned a six classroom blocks at Obieti 11 Community Primary School in Omuku, Headquarters of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers State.
Inaugurating the six classroom blocks, NAOC General Manager, District, Giovanni Salvini, represented by the Assistant Manager, Communication and Government Laison, Mrs Grace Okpoyo, said that this was the second time in six months Agip is commissioning six classroom blocks in primary schools in Omoku – St. Mary’s Primary School and Obieti 11 Community Primary School.
She attributed the success of the project to the long standing relationship that exist between Omoku community and Nigerian Agip Oil Company and its joint venture partners, noting that the desire and importance Agip places on the foundational development of the children in the community through education, is in tandem with the company’s policy to promote human capacity development in the host communities, as well as empower members of the host communities by awarding such contracts to indigenous contractors.
She assured that NAOC and its joint venture partners would continue to partner in the development of Omoku Town in particular and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni (ONELGA) in general through the provision of people-oriented projects in the area.
In his remarks, the Chairman Omoku Central Community Development Committee, Barr. Christ Amadike, while thanking Agip for promoting education in the area, pointed out that the completed and inaugurated six classroom block was not installed with modern facilities, like fan and borehole water to facilitate the flushing of the toilet WCs.
He urged NAOC to include in their subsequent contracts a 3-year maintenance period, to enable it serve for a reasonable period, as he assured that Omoku will continue to keep peace with the existing peace among the stakeholders.
The representative of ONELGA Council chairman, the council secretary, Hon. Clever Orukwowo, described human development as the development of the nation, saying that Agip has done well in promoting education and rural development in the area.
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.