Education

ASUU Strike: Taxi Drivers Lament Low Patronage In Calabar

Published

12 years ago

August 19, 2013

Taxi drivers in Calabar, the Cross River capital, have expressed concern over low patronage of passengers due to the on-going strike by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

They said this in separate interviews with our correspondent in Calabar recently.

President of the?Taxi Drivers Association, Mr Patrick Okon, told our correspondent that?taxi business in Calabar was no longer profitable due to the strike.

“Students are our major passengers, but due to the ASUU strike, business is no longer moving,’’

He appealed to ASUU to suspend its strike in the interest of the students and the economy.

The Secretary of the Association, Mr Edem Edem, said most?taxi drivers in the state obtained loans to buy their vehicles.

He said that since passengers were no longer patronising them, repayment of the loans would not be easy.

“I use to make a profit of N7,000 per day, but, I hardly make N3,000 now due to the strike,” he said.

Another driver, Mr Anthony Okoh, criticised the strike, saying it had brought down the growth of the country‘s education sector.

He appealed to ASUU and the Federal Government to engage in meaningful dialogue to end the strike.

The Tide

also reports that, as a result of the strike, economic activities within the vicinity of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), and Cross River University of Technology (CRUTECH) have drastically reduced.

Education

School Resumption:Rivers begins monitoring of compliance to academics standards

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

As Secondary and primary schools in Rivers state ,including public and private owned resumes for the first term 2025/2026 academic session today after a one month vacation at the end of the third term 2024/2025 academic session .,the state ministry of education said quality assurance supervisors will resume school visitations and monitoring immediately.

The state ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement signed by the permanent secretary ,

Dr. (Mrs.) Ndidi Chikanele Utchay and made available to the tide ,the statement stated that staffs of department of quality assurance services (SEQAS) in the ministry and it’s agencies will commence immediate routein assessment visitations to all schools in the state, to ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards .

The statement reads thus:

“This is to notify all public and private schools operating in Rivers State that the State Education Quality Assurance Services (SEQAS) will commence follow-through and routine assessments immediately, upon resumption of the 2025/2026 academic session. These assessments are designed to:

Ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards.”

“Evaluate the Quality of Teaching and Learning,

Review Curriculum Implementation and Teaching Methods,

Assess Infrastructure and Learning Environment, and

Promote Students Welfare and Overall School Improvement.”

“Consequently, all Public and Private Schools are by this announcement advised to make all necessary preparations and ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements. “

The statement also said applications for School approvals and upgrades should be submitted directly to the office of the Permanent Secretary, as negotiations with individuals and agents will no longer be tolerated.

“The state Ministry of Education appreciates your continuous co-operation and commitments to sustaining high educational standards in our dear State.”the statement stated.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

University of Port Harcourt elevates five professor’s on communication and public relations

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Governing Council of University of port Harcourt in Rivers state has appointed

five new Professors of Communication and Media Studies of the institution.

This was contained in a Facebook handle of the public relations officer of the university,Dr Sammy Kpenu disclosed that those elevated to the ranks of professor include erudite and world-class Prof. Ntiense James Usua , promoted to professor of Broadcasting,

Prof. Faustina Ginikanwa Nwachukwu – Strategic Communication and Advertising, and

Prof. Benedict Obiora Agbo – Public Relations and Advertising.

Others are,Prof. Sunny C.J. Mbazie , Public Relations and Advertising, while

Prof. Clement Afamefuna Asadu ,was appointed professor of Behaviour and Social Change Communication, of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Our academic activities are AI driven – VC ….declares I’ntl Conf on education

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has declared that all activities in the University are AI-driven, stressing the need to prepare the future workforce through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education as a pathway to achieving sustainable development.

He made this remark while declaring open the 4th Annual International Conference of the Department of Science Education, held from Wednesday,at the Faculty of Education Auditorium.

The vice chancellor commended the department for choosing a theme that aligns with his vision for the University and expressed optimism that the conference would produce a communiqué with clear strategies for the future.

Also speaking,the Head of Department, Science Education, Dr. Dorathy Ekineh, stated that the convergence of STEM Education, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Sustainable Development is crucial in shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem solvers.

According to her, the conference provides an opportunity to explore, discuss, and collaborate on strategies to equip the workforce with the skills required to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.

Earlier In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Isaac N. Dokubo, described the conference as timely, noting that the world is rapidly embracing AI in all sectors.

He explained that the primary aim of the conference is to examine how AI and STEM Education can prepare tomorrow’s workforce to compete effectively with their counterparts globally.

Delivering the keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Cheta Williams, stated that the workforce of the future will thrive at the intersection of STEM, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainability.

“If we align our education systems, innovations, and ethical compass, we will not just prepare for the future, we will shape it,” he stated .

He averred that the workforce of tomorrow is already being built today in classrooms, universities, innovation hubs, and government boardrooms,adding that the future is not something to wait for, but something to design and build together.

Also presenting a paper titled “STEM Education and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Future”, Prof. Keziah A. Achuonye from the Faculty of Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, highlighted the vital role of STEM in driving resilience and sustainable growth.

By: Akujobi Amadi