Education
World Poetry Day: Port Harcourt Primary, GGSS Emerge Winners
Rivers State Commissioner for Local Government Affairs, Hon. Eyiba (right) presenting an award to the Sure Foundation Comprehensive College, Port Harocurt, as the winner of the Inter-School debate competition organised by Port Harcourt City Council, recently. Photo: Prince Obinna Dele.
Port Harcourt Primary
School and Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike last Friday emerged winners of this years poetry competition marking the 2014 World Poetry Day.
Fubara Divine of Port Harcourt Primary School, and Precious Chineme of Government Girls Secondary School, Oromenike emerged winners for the primary and secondary school, respectively.
Speaking at the occasion, which was held at the Port Harcourt primary school, the State Commissioner for Education, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi stated that the event is part of the state government’s expression of its passion for the development of education in the state.
The Commissioner, who was represented by the permanent secretary of the Ministry, Barrister Minabelem Michael-West noted that the state has started reaping the benefit of its investment in education”, noting that “the state government is very much interested in delivery qualitative education.
She used the occasion to change teachers in the state-owned schools “to brace-up to the challenge of raising future leaders in the state Teacher should be up and doing while discharging their duties.
“They should know that as a state we are very much committed in Chunning out educated citizens in order to groom people who are ready to drive the economy of the state, and the nation at large, in a positive direction”.
The state education boss further noted that the government has done a lot in transforming public schools by providing infrastructure and equipment, noting that “the investment in the education sector has made students public schools to be confident enough to stand their peers in the private schools across the country.
While describing poetry as a tool that could be used to promote dialogue among cultures and understanding between people, she said the study of poetry will enhance writing, reading and learning in the state.
“The dissemination of poetry helps to promote dialogue among cultures and understanding between peoples. The purpose of today’s celebration is to promote the reading, writing, publishing and teaching of poetry throughout the world and also to give fresh recognition and impetus to national, regional and international poetry movements”, she said.
Also speaking, the consultant to the Ministry of Education, Mrs Regina Oyegui expressed satisfaction over the level of performance of the students of the students in the poetry competition.
According to her, “the students exhibited good command of English in their poems”.
On her part, the Head Teacher of Port Harcourt primary school, Mrs Lizzy Oba commended the state government for organising the poetry competition for students in the state, noting that “such programs will improve students; interest in reading”.
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.