‘New RSUST Ready 2014’ …Assembly Rejects Committee Report On Varsity

The Rivers State Government, says it is on track to make the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) one of the best universities in Africa and  among the first ten in the  world by 2014.

Governor Chibuike Amaechi made the assertion yesterday in Port Harcourt while declaring open the 2nd bi-annual conference of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of State-owned Universities in the country.

Governor Amaechi also said that the relocation of the institution to its permanent site at the Greater Port Harcourt would be completed in 2014.

Represented by the  Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Mr Richard Ofuru, he stressed the need for universities in the country to evolve programmes that would tackle the numerous developmental challenges facing the society.

He said that the theme of the conference which is , “ Gown-Town Relationship, A Synergy For Nation Development” had underscored the need for universities to seek for ways of maintaining good relationship with their host communities.

Meanwhile, the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of  State-owned Universities in the country has declared its support for the post JAMB test.

Chairman of the committee and Pro-Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt, Justice Adolphus Karibi Whyte (rtd) also stressed the need for more funding for universities in the country.

The Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology whose institution hosted the conference, Prof Barineme Fakae described the theme of the conference as very apt especially now that efforts were being made to make Nigerian graduates develop the spirit of entrepreneurship tailored towards the need of industries and communities.

Prof Fakae also said that the university would continue to maintain its lead in Information and Communication Technology (ICT).

In a related development, the Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday rejected the report submitted by the House Committee on Education on the crisis rocking the state University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt.

Announcing the resolution of the lawmakers, the Speaker, Rt Hon Otelemaba Amachree directed the committee headed by Hon Augustine Ngo to do more investigation and fine-tune its report to enable the Assembly deliberate on the terms of reference of the committee.

Hon Amachree gave the committee two weeks within which to submit its findings to allow the House proffer solution to the issues raised in the motion which necessitated the work of the committee.

The rejection of the report followed elaborate debate by members of the Assembly who said the report did not address some of the vexatious issues that would lead to the quick restoration of peace at the institution.

In his contribution, Hon Golden Chioma (Etche Constituency II) argued that the Assembly did not have powers to determine how the institution would be administered because it was the duty of the Governing Council of the institution.

He opined that the House needed to help in the resolution of the problem of RSUST, and  not to aggravate the situation, adding that the removal of Prof E.N.Amadi as Dean of Graduate School as contained in the report should be expunged.

Other speakers in support of the rejection of the report include Hon Ikuniyi Ibani (Andoni), Ben Horsfall (Asari-Toru), Innocent Barikor (Gokana) and John Josiah (Eleme).

Responding, the Chairman of the Education Committee, Hon Augustine Ngo said the committee did a diagnosis of the problem and made appropriate recommendations.

On his part, the Deputy Speaker,  observed that the university community had shown serious dissatisfaction with the running of the institution and agreed with the recommendation that the Dean of Post Graduate School be relieved of his position for a more harmonious working relationship.

It would be recalled that the committee was set up following a motion by the Leader of the House, Hon Chidi Lloyd concerning the crisis rocking the institution.

John Bibor

Inspector- General of Police Mr Mohammed Abubakar displaying the new police uniform in Abuja, yesterday.