Education
Amaechi Inaugurates New RSUST Campus Committee
Determined to build a world- class institution, the Rivers State government has inaugurated a 12-member Project Advisory Committee (PAC), for the new campus of the state University of Science and Technology (RSUST) in Port Harcourt.
Performing the inauguration on Friday, the Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, said the PAC members, who were carefully chosen as seasoned professionals in different fields are expected to play significant roles in the construction and development of the new campus.
Governor Amaechi, who was represented by his Senior Special Assistant and Project Director for the new RSUST Campus, Mrs Vivienne Braide, said the PAC members as key stakeholders are to evaluate, deliberate and provide high quality inputs and recommendations for the timely and cost effective execution of construction works.
The governor disclosed that the vision of the new RSUST is to be ranked among the best 1,000 universities in the world by 2020, that will ultimately be a foreign exchange earning investment for the government and good people of Rivers State.
He hinted that the master plan for the new campus has been produced while Zerock Construction Company has been engaged to carry out infrastructural construction works at the site within the Greater Port Harcourt area.
Governor Amaechi, charged the PAC to also formulate an effective frame work for developing a viable mechanism for non-government funding of turn key construction works, maintenance, operation and business management of identified sub-projects of the RSUST new campus development project, through viable cost-effective public private partnership (PPP).
Responding, the Chairman of the New RSUST Campus project Advisory Committee (PAC), Mr Jamaiyi William –West, thanked the governor for giving them the opportunity to serve the state.
Mr William-West promised that the special qualities that attracted their appointment into the committee would be utilised to justify the confidence reposed on them and write their names in the history book of the state.
Other members of the committee are, Albert Dokubo, Edmund Altraide, Asuquo Ntuen, Dennis Dania, Mrs I. David West, Chief L. Badom, Mrs M. Wakama, Mr I.T. Senebo, representatives of RSUST and Ministry of Finance while Mrs Ann Olumide is to serve as secretary.
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.