Education
Rivers Polytechnic Students Get New Code
In a bid to enhance the gen
eral welfare of students of the Rivers State Polytechnic, Bori, a new set of codes have been announced by the authorities of the institution.
Making the revelations last Saturday at the Convocation Arena during interactive session with students of the Polytechnic, the Rector, Sir Obianko Nwolu-Elechi announced ban on the use of electric iron(s) electric kettle(s), electric water boiler(s) and refrigerator(s) in the halls of residence
The Rector said the move is a proactive measure to forestall fire our-break in the halls of residence.
The Rector said that arrangement have been concluded to provide laundry areas complete with electric irons, water boilers, etc, within the various hostels.
The meeting with the students provided the Rector’ the opportunity to explain to them what he has been doing concerning their welfare during the last 20 months as Rector of the institution.
He enumerated his achievements to include the renovation of hostels, ban on the sale of sachet water, and the provision of water treatment plant to guarantee drinking water, inauguration of Hostel Management committees to manage the hostels and the appointment of hall wardens.
The Rector listed other areas of achievement to include the renovation of Library and installation of Air Conditioners.
He said that with the assistance from the Federal Government, especially through the Minister of State for Education, Chief Ezebunwo Nyesom Wike, the Polytechnic got a Special Intervention Fund of N500 million from TETFund which is now used in the ongoing construction of a 3-Storey Classroom Block; construction of a new Library Complex; the provision Coaster Bus and a 100KVA Generator for the Library, etc.
While stressing the importance of students in any institution, the polytechnic chief executive contended that without them there wouldn’t be lecturers and other staff and said that it was the reason behind the quality of attention given to their welfare. He went on to list other areas of achievement to include: The provision of accommodation to a corper doctor to attend to the health needs of students at night and the provision of a standby ambulance in case of emergency.
Sir Nwolu-Elechi disclosed that the authorities of the Polytechnic have placed a request on the state government to provide a 1500 bed space hostel so that many of the female students would be accommodated within the campus thereby ensure their safety and security.
He explained that while the polytechnic has drawn some goodwill from TETFund, NDDC and the state government, enabling it to perform this far, the polytechnic using her internally generated fund, also added one Coaster Bus for the students.
Rector called on the students to rise up and join the mangaement in the ongoing crackdown on indiscipline by volunteering information tnat would assist in eradicating “Sorting”.
Responding to a question by a student, the Rector assured that he will personally guarantee protection for any student who brings a case of “sorting” against any lecturer assuring that nothing will happen to such student.
He disclosed that over N5 Million has been approved for the procurement of new books to enhance research. In a vote of thanks, the Director of Student Affairs of the Polytechnic, Hon. Emmanuel Omah, thanked the Rector for all that he had done and the plans he took to promote the welfare of students of the polytechnic, pledging that his students will continue to keep the peace which has earned the institution the enviable status of one of the most peaceful Polytechnics in Nigeria.
A high point of the interactive session was the presentation of a life size portrait of the Rector by the Ag. President of the Students Union Government, Miss Lynda Kendabie.
Making the presentation she said it was the students’ little way of showing the Rector that students were fully in support of his policies.
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.
