Education
Dickson’s Relocates COE To Sagbama
Bayelsa State Governor, Hon. Seriake Dickson has relocated the State College of Education from Okpoama in Brass local government area to Sagbama, saying that the decision was done in the best interest of the state.
The Governor stated this when Okpoama Kingdom Council of Chiefs in Brass Local Government Area of the state visited him at Government House, Yenagoa.
Governor Dickson, who was reacting to a protest letter presented to him by the people of Okpoama to relocate the teachers’ training institute back to Okpoama, said the decision was taken by government to place the college in a more strategic area where it can be easily accessed as well as achieve its objectives within record time.
The Governor, said that soon the minimum requirement for teachers in the state will be the National Certificate of Education (NCE), explained that government is poised to ensure the commencement of academic work at the college as soon as possible.
He urged the people to see government’s decision as one done in the interest of the people without malice, fear or favour.
He disclosed that the Maritime Academy which will take the place of the College of Education would be a world class facility where people can be trained in maritime activities.
The Governor described Okpoama as ideal for the academy project due to its strategic location, adding that the institute when fully established would play a very leading role in the training of the manpower needed in the maritime industry.
Commenting on the Nembe-Brass Road Project, which contract has been revoked Dickson said Julius Berger has been invited to do a costing of the road project and that soon government would re-award the contract to a more competent firm.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Okpoama Kingdom Council of Chiefs, Chief Wapaebinyo Amade-Obasi, said the visit was to appeal to the State Government to rescind its decision to relocate the College of Education.
According to him, the people have made so much sacrifice towards the establishment of the College noting that it had to relocate the secondary school that was in place for the purpose of the college.
He also called on the state government to complete the Nembe-Brass road to link the Brass Island to the rest of the country and the world, stressing that the people would benefit from the gesture.
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.