Education
Don Charges Youths On Creative Arts
A University Lecturer, Professor Frank Ugiomoh has stressed
the need for youths to imbibe the art of creativity.
Professor Ugiomoh, a lecturer of Art History and Theory,
University of Port Harcourt, made the assertion during an interview with The
Tide at an exhibition of recent paintings and mixed media works by Promise
O’nali in Port Harcourt recently.
According to him, creative artists could be self reliant and
employers of labour, and enjoined all to regard the profession as a God-given
talent for mankind to serve humanity.
He said arts is an energy associated with youthfulness as
they are full of cest and passion for the career, describing the works of the
artist as a deliberate construction of divisions, using colours, lines,
interplay and transition in colour quite dramatic, saying that every living
consciousness is a bundle of potentials that could be put to greater use in the
service to humanity.
The Professor of Art History and Theory said the work of art
had become a bond that ties all humanity together to appreciate their
collective commitment to practical encounters with the world, enjoining youths
to emulate the spirit of the Artist and focus their talents to creativity as a
worthy career.
In his remarks, Mr. Promise O’nali, a graduate of painting,
University of Nigeria, Nsukka, said creativity is an integral part of human
nature, adding that the life we live today is a manifestation of the vast world
of ideas churned out through the internal numblings of the human mind.
Mr. O’nali noted that although the art of creativity is
capital intensive but to increase relevance in the career, such exhibitions
create relevance despite the challenges.
The Artist, who promised to exhibit his works annually said
it involved a lot of mix-media and experimental works and called on the Rivers
State Government and indeed all in Nger Delta region to give priority attention
to Arts and build art gallery for young artists to exhibit their talents.
Collins Barasimeye
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.