Education
RSG Partners Authors To Promote Reading Culture
The Rivers State Government in Partnership with Nigerian authors had reiterated its commitment in the promotion of reading culture among students in the state.
The Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, disclosed this when the Association of Nigerian Authors, Rivers State branch paid her a courtesy visit in her office.
Dame Lawrence-Nemi said that the government has done so much in the area of promoting the reading habit of students by organizing academic competitions such as quiz, essays and debates.
The commissioner also said that the ministry has re-introduced adult education programmes in the rural areas of the state.
According to her, even people in the rural areas are not left behind as we have re-introduced adult education programmes in different communities in Rivers State.
The Ministry’s aim, she noted, is to ensure that literacy is entrenching in all the nooks and crannies of the state.
The education boss assured that the ministry would partner with the association in the area of promoting literary activities, revealing that the ministry would ensure a smooth organization of the essay and quiz competition which the association is planning for Rivers students.
The commissioner hinted that the competition would be spread across the three senatorial districts of the state and has already set up a committee to surprise the smooth conduct of the two academic competitions.
Earlier in a remark, the chairman of the Association of Nigeria Authors (ANA), Rivers State chapter, Mr Obinna Nwodim, commended the Rivers State government for its giant strides in reviving education in the state.
Mr Nwodim said the manifestation of the free education policy of the Rivers State government model primary schools is seen in all nooks and crannies of the state.
The ANA chairman stated that the association would partner with the ministry in the area of promotion of literary activities through the organization of quiz, essay and debate competitions for students in the state.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
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.