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Cleric Lists Gains Of Mission Schools

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A mission school is a kind of formal or informal educational setup put together by the church in order to achieve a purpose. The purpose is to transform people lives.

It is a mission, journey, aim and target, then when you add school, is a means and procedure by which you want to pass information to people.

So for the Church, mission school is used to pass a message of God which is the gospel to future leaders of this great nation.

This was the view of the General Overseer of the Abundant Life Evangelical  Mission (ALEM), Apostle  Eugene Ogu, in a chat with newsmen in Port Harcourt, recently.

Apostle Eugene Ogu said the aims  of mission school is to pass the message of God to the pupils and students through taking available  social requirements to build the society, as well as training the children to become the true and good persons that God wants them to be.

Apostle Ogu emphasised that government handed over schools to missions because  it does not have the capacity to impart morals to the pupils and students.

He acknowledged that government can provide facilities but to train the children is actually not just an ordinary thing, noting that there has to be a lot of commitment, dedication and discipline.

According to him, “In a society where human right activities have been so highlighted that government and some persons try to stay away from issues that will discredit them. You  know that the mission is believed and accepted  by the society, so most people find it easier and better to hand over their children to be trained by the mission”.

The man of God recalled that when the missionaries came in the past, our educated parents and grand parents were disciplined and trained, without  the issue  of secret cults  and other vices  because the missionaries could not have tolerated  that.

In a society like ours, he explained, government realised that the Church has the capacity to instill such discipline by training the pupils/students through the word of God.

The former president of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Rivers State Chapter, admonished churches to establish schools and subsidise the fees so that the aim for which they were established would be achieved.

He advised the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to support missions in order to subsidise education because the churches have the wisdom and moral authority to instill discipline and teach, so the children have that fear and believe in God and his agents.

His words: “When man acquires all the degrees without the spirit of God, what he can just impact is knowledge for secular purposes. This does not transform the human mind spiritually, what transforms the human mind spiritually is the word of God.

“The church has the capacity because  it is the agent of spirituality and morality and when such man is in Christ and has the fear of God, he can transform peoples’ lives”.

The man of God who argued that most criminals and homo-sexuals  have also acquired education stressed that such knowledge is not enough adding that what matters most is their change of life and fear of God.

Referring to the Biblical injunction that, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, he emphasised that the church is the right agency to change the moral aspect of the human life to what it ought to be.

He explained that teaching Christian Religious Knowledge (CRK) in schools cannot solve the problem arguing that some persons have acquired such knowledge  but could not transform lives and noted: “We are talking about where the gospel is being preached, where  people are being enlightened to understand that there is a purpose for livings, there is a reason for life.

“Before education, life came first. Then why did God give that life? What is the purpose of life? What is the mission of life? Is it  to kill?” he queried  and advised that  it is good to have God’s foundation before going to other levels since Christianity plays a major role in human development.

He, however, advised government to put in place a regulatory body to ensure that the scheme of work and curriculum used in missions schools are in line with the educational system of government.

He discouraged a situation where the name of a particular church would  determine whether a child  should be admitted into mission school or not, emphasising   that the Christian faithfuls are the same.

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Education

RILTA laud appointment of new Chairman 

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The Rivers state Indigenous language Teacher Association (RILTA) has landed the appointment of the new chairman,Hon Sam Ogeh   by the state government.
The group in a statement signed by
Dr. Ovuchi J. Agwnu
President and
HRH Eze Sir Ishmael Nweke
Secretar and made available to the tide desk in port Harcourt,the group described the appointment as a welcome development and urged the new chairman to bring his long years of wealth of experience in public service to bear in his new assignment.
The group further assured him of their resolved to work with the his team to enable them succeed and assured him of their total loyalty.
The statement reads thus “
On behalf of the Rivers State Indigenous Language Teachers Association (RILTA), we extend heartfelt congratulations to you on your appointment and assumption of office as the Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board. This prestigious appointment is a testament to your dedication, expertise, and leadership qualities.”
“Your vast experience and passion for education will undoubtedly drive transformative changes in our basic education sector. We look forward to witnessing the positive impact of your leadership on the educational landscape of Rivers State.”
We pray for divine guidance, wisdom, and strength as you embark on this noble assignment. May your tenure be marked by excellence, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the welfare of our children and educators.”
“Once again, congratulations on this well-deserved appointment. We stand ready to support you in your endeavour to elevate the standards of basic education in Rivers State.”
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

University lecturer advocates for societal needs based research as Algorithms,  Pathway To Sustainable Growths

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A lecturer in the Department of Computer Science, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Professor Daniel Matthias,has advocated
for a university-industry- government partnership in order to strengthen collaborations for internships, applied research, and product development, adding
 that research outcomes should align with societal needs, especially in healthcare, environment, education, and governance.
He further  recommended the strengthening of research in emerging technologies through the establishment of dedicated research centres in AI, IoT, Blockchain, and Renewable Energy. He also advocated linking computer science with health, agriculture, and engineering as interdisciplinary projects.
Professor  Matthias, stated this when he delivered the 118th Inaugural Lecture of the University  recently in port Harcourt with the  topic “From Algorithms to Impact: Harnessing Emerging Technologies For Socio Economic Transformation.”
He described Algorithm as a, “Finite, step by step set of institutions designed to solve a specific problem or perform a task”, said they are fundamental to both Computer Science and everyday life, where they serve as recipes, driving directions, or the instructions a computer used to sort data, make recommendations on social media or rank search engine results. They take input, process it through a sequence of logical steps, and produce and output.”
The university don emphasized that Africa has the most youthful population globally with entrepreneurial spirit and therefore stands at a pivotal moment to harness the potential of the technologies enabled by the algorithm to drive sustainable development.
“Africa, with its youthful population and entrepreneurial spirit, stands at a pivotal moment to harness the potential of these technologies. By addressing infrastructure deficits, fostering digital literacy, and creating supportive policies, the continent can leapfrog traditional development pathways and establish itself as a global innovator,” Prof Mathias stated.
The erudite scholar averred that though Africa has its challenges in infrastructure deficits such as access to technology, logistics and transportation, educational barriers in the areas of quality education and digital literacy, limited investment and informal economies, the continent has promise of potential growth with the development and use of Algorithms.
He attributed the potential promises to demographic advantage, ecosystems, noting that Africa has the potential to leapfrog traditional stages of technological development by adopting mobile and digital solutions directly. Furthermore, he said that focusing on renewable energy and sustainable practices can help Africa address energy shortages while promoting environmental stewardship.
“By bridging the gap between technical knowledge and societal needs, we can create technologies that not only solve problems, but also empower communities, foster inclusion, and drive sustainable development. Collaboration, advocacy, and mentorship are essential to ensuring that technology serves as a tool for equity, empowerment, and a better future for all,” the university Don stated.
In his  remarks, the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obibi congratulated the lecturer, describing the lecture as “fantastic” and the lecturer, as “our rare gift to Africa and the world in the field of Computer Science.”
He acknowledged that most of the recommendations of the lecturer were in consonance with what the university was doing in terms of developing a policy on the use of AI and making the university community to be digital compliant.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education

NUC Commences  Verification Of 73 Degree Programmes Of Federal University Of Environment in Ogoni

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The National Universities Commission (NUC) has commenced resource verification of 73 degree programmes across seven faculties at the newly established Federal University of Environment and Technology (FUET), Koroma/Saakpenwa, in Ogoni, Rivers State.
The verification exercise began today and is a critical step towards securing approval for the institution’s academic programmes, with the NUC team assessing facilities, staff strength, and curriculum to ensure compliance with national standards.
Welcoming the NUC officials, the Vice Chancellor of FUET, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom expressed gratitude for the visit and emphasised the institution’s commitment to meeting the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to commence academic activities in the September 2025 academic session.
“You are aware that this is a newly established university, created through the Act parliament and signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 3rd February 2025. Just about 5 weeks ago, the Honourable Minister of Education inaugurated the Governing Council and principal officers, with a clear mandate to ensure academic activities commence this September,” Prof. Mmom said.
He commended the Rivers State Government for facilities at Saakpenwa and Koroma, as well as the people of the Koroma community who gifted the university 99.3 hectares of land.
 He noted that renovation and infrastructural work have been fast-tracked despite the absence of federal budgetary allocation for the institution’s takeoff.
Prof. Mmom disclosed that the university had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) with nearby institutions, including the Rivers State University, Rivers State Polytechnic, and University of Port Harcourt, for temporary academic and infrastructural support.
 He also highlighted ongoing preparations, including the provision of dormitories, classrooms, laboratories, ICT centres equipped with over 170 computers, and staff quarters.
Speaking on behalf of the NUC team, Professor John Ohaka explained that the verification exercise is part of ensuring readiness for takeoff in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“All we are doing here today is to assess the level of preparedness and ensure that the university starts on a strong footing. What we need now is quality education to drive sustainable development, and this exercise will help position FUET to compete globally,” he said.
Ohaka praised the university management for its hospitality and assured that the team would thoroughly inspect the facilities across both campuses to make recommendations where necessary
The seven proposed faculties under verification include: Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, and Faculty of Management Technology. Others are Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, and Faculty of Education.
The Federal University of Environment and Technology, located in Tai Local Government Area of Rivers State, is one of the newest federal universities established to expand access to tertiary education and promote research in environmental and technological studies.
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