Education
Varsity Celebrates French Day In Rivers
The Department of French Studies in the Faculty of Humanities of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Thursday, celebrated the 2011 French day in the university with a call for more interest in the study of French language in the country.
Speaking at the occasion, the Acting Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Rosemund Dienye Green-Osahogulu, reiterated the commitment of her administration towards improving the study of French Language in the university through provision of various incentives in the department.
Prof Osahogulu assured the assistance of the university to French department to enable it compete favourably with their counterparts in other institutions across the country.
Represented by the Dean Faculty of Humanities, Mrs Daware Bokowe, described French department as a pace setter in the institution noting that the department was known for their uniqueness in academic excellence.
According to the Vice Chancellor, the lecturers and the students of the department have always engaged themselves in a good conduct, noting that the department has not been subjected to any form of disciplinary action by the university authorities.
She noted that such feat was as a result of committed efforts and collaboration between the lecturers and students of the department and urged them to continue to fly the flag higher.
The Acting Vice Chancellor while commending the department for having an impressive French day celebration, challenged other departments in the institution to emulate the French department to ensure that they live up to expectations.
Earlier in her opening remarks, the Acting Head of Department (French), Mrs Preye Iyala Amadi said the celebration was organised to celebrate this year’s French day in the institution.
Mrs Amadi disclosed that a total of 157 students are currently studying French language in First Degree and NCE in the department.
In a lecture titled, “The Legacies of African Writers”, an erudite scholar and a Professor in French language, Prof. Martins Bestman, x-rayed the contributions of African writers in the development of the region.
He noted that the work of African writers helped in the development of education in the society adding that their works have been celebrated across the globe.
The highlight of the occasion was presentation of drama, songs in French language by the students as well as unveiling of a bill board donated to the department by the French Circle of the institution.
A professor of Highway Engineering at the Rivers State University (RSU), Prof. Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has identified poor designs, inadequate materials, insufficient testing, and lack of accountability as major obstacles to the success of highway construction projects in the country.
Ekwulo made this remark in Port Harcourt last Wednesday during the 128th inaugural lecture series of the university, where he presented a lecture titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding a Foundation for Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure.”
The university don lamented the consistent premature failures of road construction projects nationwide, despite huge investments by the government at all levels, attributing the problem to neglected basics and systemic principles in the industry.
According to him, rebuilding the foundation technically, institutionally, and ethically is crucial to building strong and lasting pavements.
Ekwulo emphasized the need for political will, professional integrity, and commitment to engineering excellence to overcome the challenges.
“The metaphoric roadblocks are those challenges causing premature failures,” Ekwulo said, adding that identifying and addressing these roadblocks is key to rebuilding the nation’s highways.
He recommended that institutions involved in road design and construction adopt a mechanistic-empirical design approach, and develop a comprehensive framework for implementing the Nigerian Imperial and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS) approach.
Ekwulo also advocated for mandatory traffic load analysis, strengthened university-industry collaboration, and funding for applied pavement research.
Corruption, he noted, is a major challenge in the profession, saying severe punitive measures are needed to curb shabby practices leading to premature road failures.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described Ekwulo’s lecture as interesting and intriguing, highlighting the importance of implementing solutions to Nigeria’s highway challenges.
The Vice Chancellor also described Ekwulo’s proposals as practical and applicable to government and industry stakeholders.
He said the university is committed to research aligned with national development goals, referencing its NDV-12 responsive consortium production framework.
Zeb-Obipi noted that Ekwulo’s recommendations are timely and solution-driven, and will contribute to addressing Nigeria’s highway challenges.
Akujobi Amadi
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