Education
Don Identifies Gaps In NAFDAC’s Regulatory Regime
A university don, Pro
fessor Victor Kiri of the University of Limerick, Ireland, has identified gaps in the regulatory regime for the distribution of drugs by the National Agency for Food, Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Professor Kiri, who made the identification, midweek, as part of series of lectures marking the 2015 “Founders’ Day” of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), suggested the development of a protocol involving active surveillance to minimize the distribution of fake drugs in Nigeria.
In his lecture, titled “The Potential Value of Multi-Disciplinary Research into the problem of fake drugs in Nigeria: A Realistic Path Way,” Professor Kiri stressed the need to apply statistical analysis to contain fake drugs distribution in Nigeria.
“There is no mechanism from NAFDAC on how to control the movement of drugs in Nigeria and in the circulation of fake drugs. It is impossible to recall fake drugs from the counter in the Nigeria market”, he said.
The Professor of Epidemiology therefore suggested a multi-disciplinary approach to solve the problem.
While acknowledging the gap between the volume of research generated, and poor data analysis, the Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT Professor Joseph Ajienka in his speech called on scholars to form inter-disciplinary research teams that should include statisticians and scholars with diverse background,s rather than publishing exclusively for purposes of seeking promotion.
In another lecture “titled The Importance of Bio-Gas Industry in Nigeria,” presented by a Professor of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering, John Villadsen of the Technical University, Denmark, stressed the importance of bio-resources in solving health-related challenges.
Professor Villadsen predicted that Biotechnology will be key factor of developments in the 21st century. He noted that there was a huge profit in the conversion of gas to protein for the production of animal feed.
According to him, the emergentb bio-industry hinged on conversion of raw materials from agriculture into industrial chemical, pharmaceuticals, feeds for animals and new crop variety.
While expressing optimism over what he called “greet opportunities” in Nigeria, Professor Villadsen noted that, the emergent biotechnology industry would yield benefits to the country (Nigeria) just as it has done in Denmark and other European countries.
Presenting the third lecture, titled “Thinking, Research and Communication in Development of Science and Indigenous Technology”, Director of the Science Institute in UNIPORT, Professor Onyewuchi Akaranta, noted the significant of effective communication.
“Effective communication is crucial to bridging the gap between the production of new knowledge and application of that knowledge to either practice or policy”, he said.
He therefore advised indigenous scientists to recognise the need to communicate the significant of their knowledge to soecity.
He noted that the missing link between research and development in the university was the absence of academic research in the market.
“We have not been able to take the indigenous technology of our people to a level that would be acceptable on a worldwide scale. We need to patent, publish and come out with products that would be beneficial to society”, he said.
Sogbeba Dokubo
L-R Registrar, RIVCAS, Dame Georginia O. Benwoke, Bursar, I.D. Gogo, and Ag Head, Library, Mrs. Ebiremen P. Lulu-Pokubo during the 24th matriculation ceremony of the institution in Port Harcourt recently.
Photo: Nwiueh Donatus Ken.
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.