Education
Monthly Book Discussion’ll Change Value System –Kalango
The project director,
Port Harcourt World Book Capital Project, Mrs Koko Kalango says the monthly book discussions on books chosen as “book of the mouth” is intended to change the value system of the Nigerian youths for better.
Stating this recently in an exclusive interview with The Tide during the August, 2014 “book of the month” discussion and drama sketch in presidential Hotel, Kalango said the discussions and drama sketches based on selected books is aimed at bringing back the reading culture in Nigeria.
She recalled the period before the advert of videos and cable network in Rivers State when the in-thing was theaters which showed dramas on book written by Nigerian authors, noting that discussion then was mostly based on critigues on such books and or the characters in them.
“The plan to focus a book every month is to not only get the society to focus on a book each month, but also to enable society read and see how the things read applies to our daily individual, group, Local Government Area, State and national lives.
“So, it is not just for the sake of reading, but how reading can make us appreciate our society better and for the good of all”, she said.
According to her, one of the key problems of the Nigeria society is the issue of value system.
“The value of money is a problem. Our children and children’s children are really in trouble. That is why we are trying through books, to catch them young.
We are running about 200 book clubs through out this year in 100 schools in Port Harcourt, both at the primary and secondary school levels, “she stated.
The August 2014 book of the month was “Tomorrow Died today”, written by Chiemeka Garrick’s. It portrayed the trouble in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria warranted by oil exploration and its attendant exploitation.
The drama sketch was based on one of Wole Soyinka’s book which portrayed the propensity of the rich Nigerian who prefers to send his children to schools abroad and problems associated with children being influential by the foreign culture.
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.