Education
Grant Not For Private Varsities
The proprietor of
Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo, says the country’s tertiary education system needs to connect its academic breakthrough in research and innovation with local relevance to form he catalysts for development in the areas of human needs.
Ade-Ojowho said this at the 8th International Conference of the West African Research and Innovation Management Association (WARIMA) held at the university said this will enable the country to record growth in the quest for technology advancement and economic growth.
The theme of the conference was, “Enhancing University-Government-Industry Research and Innovations Partnerships for Local Relevance and Global Competitiveness.
The proprietor said that rather than limiting involvement of academics on research to “career progression as it has been in may cases in our tertiary institutions in this country”, there should be connectivity in what is being done and technological advancement of the country.
Ade-Ojo requested government give financial support through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND) to private universities “so that the institutions can continue to be partners with government in the provision of access to education our country”.
The Vice-Chancellor of Elizade University, Professor Valentine Aletor, said the institution was committed to the promotion of excellence and uniqueness in both pedagogy and systematic impartation of knowledge, strategic building of good character and production of all-round graduates.
However, the TETFUND’s Executive Secretary, Professor Sulaiman Bogoro, in response to Ade-Ojo’s request for funding of private universities by TETFUND, said “By our law, we cannot fund private tertiary institution but the institutions can partners public ones to benefit from the fund. What government do all over the world is to provide enabling environment for private universities to serve and not to fund them.
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.