The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, has urged States and Local Governments to provide an enabling policy to adequately fund vocational and technical education.
He also called on educational institutions to maintain high academic and professional standards, while industries should contribute skills development.
Onuchuku, who stated this last Thursday at the 10th Annual Conference of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, IAUE, also called for collective responsibility among stakeholders.
The Acting VC, who was represented by the Dean of Vocational and Technical Education, Ndele Campus of the university, Prof. Isaac Ogundu, called for collective responsibility among key stakeholders in the industry. Expatiating on the call by the Acting VC in his presentation, Prof. Ogundu identified quality human resources and necessary opportunities for developing their productive capacities as factors that would determine a better future for Nigeria.
He said to attain quality assurance in programmes offered by tertiary institutions, the phenomenon need to be viewed as a strategic investment in human capital and national development.
Making reference to the theme of the conference, “Quality Assurance in Vocational and Technical Education: A Foundation for Sustainable Workforce in Nigeria”, Ogundu, who is the Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, IAUE, said to attain quality assurance, there has to be collective commitment of all stakeholders.
He said: “building a sustainable workforce is a collective responsibility that requires the commitment of government, educational institutions, employers, professional bodies, teachers, students, and other wider society.

“Government must provide an enabling policy environment and adequate funding for vocational and technical education. Educational institutions must maintain high academic and professional standards. Industry must contribute to skills development and provide opportunities for practical workplace learning. “Teachers and instructors must demonstrate professional competence and commitment to continuous improvement. Students must take responsibility for their learning and embrace discipline, creativity, amd lifelong learning.”
He explained that quality assurance has become “an indispensable component of contemporary education” that provides the framework through which educational institutions establish standards.
According to him, the 10th edition of he conference “is particularly remarkable because it provides an opportunity to reflect on our achievements, assess the challenges confronting Vocational and technical education in Nigeria, and propose practical strategies for improving the quality, relevance, amd effectiveness of skills development.
“It also demonstrates the faculty’s determination to sustain a tradition of intellectual engagement that connects educational research with the practical needs of society, industry, and national development.”
Presenting the Lead Paper, Prof. Hilary Wordu of the Faculty of Education, Rivers State University, said Nigeria’s future will be determined more by what Nigerian do ith the knowledge they have.
“The future of Nigeria’s workforce will not be determined simply by how many people and do with what they have learned.”receive education, but increasingly by the quality of what they are able to know, understand, create and do with what they have learned.”

Sogbeba Dokubo

Managing Director of the Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA), Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, has said the agency has commenced the evacuation of accumulated waste in parts of Port Harcourt City and Obio/Akpor Local Government Areas as part of efforts to restore environmental sanitation in the state.
Wokoma, who disclosed this recently at an emergency meeting with accredited Waste Service Providers in Port Harcourt, said the exercise was in furtherance of the agency’s renewed waste management intervention strategy of the commission.
At the meeting, the Managing Director announced the establishment of a Strategic Intervention Team to address the evacuation of bulky waste materials which ordinary compactors could not effectively handle.
He explained that the intervention was necessary to tackle the growing accumulation of construction debris, scrap metals and other non-compactable refuse found along major roads, medians and other public spaces.
The RIWAMA boss said the ongoing operation had already commenced in parts of Port Harcourt metropolis and Obio/Akpor, adding that Ogbogoro, the Oil Mill axis and neighbouring communities would be covered in the next phase.
“The exercise was part of the Rivers State Government’s commitment to ensuring a clean, safe and healthy environment for residents and visitors”, He said.
Wokoma assured residents that the agency would sustain the evacuation until all identified waste disposal points within the designated areas had been cleared.
He also disclosed that routine refuse collection by accredited waste service providers would continue alongside the special evacuation exercise to prevent fresh accumulation of refuse.
The Managing Director called for greater cooperation among residents, community leaders and market associations, stressing that environmental sanitation could only be achieved through collective responsibility.
Meanwhile, the RIWAMA boss urged residents to support the agency’s operations by adopting proper waste disposal practices and ensuring that refuse was handed over to authorised waste collection operators.
She further cautioned members of the public against indiscriminate dumping of refuse on roads, medians, drainage channels and other unauthorised locations, noting that such practices undermine efforts to maintain environmental cleanliness.
The agency also advised residents to patronise only accredited waste service providers, while reaffirming its commitment to strengthening waste management operations and restoring the Garden City status of Port Harcourt.

King Onunwor & Fruitful Wodi

The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Rivers State Command, has intensified its campaign against cultism, bullying and drug abuse among students, urging young people to shun social vices and embrace responsible conduct for a better future.
The sensitisation campaign was conducted recently by the State POCACOV Command led by its chairman, Amb. Eke Onwuka, at Community Boys Secondary School, Elelenwo, Obio/Akpor Local Government.
The campaign, according to the Command, became necessary in view of the increasing concerns over cult-related activities, bullying and other social vices within and outside the school environment, which poses serious threats to students’ safety, academic performance and future aspirations.
A resource person, ASP Amatemeso Samuel of the CRU Department, who represented the Rivers State Coordinator, urged the students to develop clear life plans and remain focused on their academic pursuits, stressing that discipline and determination were essential to achieving their ambitions.
He encouraged the students to take their education seriously and cultivate the values of responsible citizenship, noting that the future of the country depended largely on the character, commitment and contributions of the younger generation.
In a separate presentation, ASP Samuel Akpos spoke extensively on the dangers and consequences of cultism and drug abuse, warning the students against involvement in activities capable of destroying their academic careers, personal lives and future opportunities.
Akpos advised the students to promptly report every form of misconduct, bullying and other negative activities within the school to the appropriate authorities, rather than remaining silent or allowing such behaviour to thrive. The Principal of the school expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, for his efforts towards combating crime and cultism in the state, urging him to sustain the initiative.
The Principal particularly commended the Commissioner of Police for identifying the challenges confronting the school and deploying the POCACOV team to educate and sensitise the students on the dangers associated with social vices.
Responding on behalf of the students, the Senior School Prefect applauded the efforts of the Rivers State Police Command through POCACOV, expressing gratitude to the ambassadors for taking time to visit the school and educate them.

King Onunwor & Goodness Emelue