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IAUE Shops For Profs, 60 Lecturers …RSUST Set To Flush Out Bad ‘Eggs’
Towards attaining the status of an accreditable university, the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, near Port Harcourt requires about 60 senior lecturers, Associate Professors and Professors.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Joseph B Kinanee, stated this in an exclusive interview with The Tide shortly after a familirisation tour on the university by the State Commissioner for Education, Prof Kinaye Ebeku.
According to the Vice Chancellor, towards this end, the first batch of promotion interview for senior lecturers has been carried out by the appointment and promotion committee.
The second batch, he continued, which will be for those who qualify for the positions of Associate Professors and Professors, will be carried out in about a forthnight.
Those, who qualify for the second batch have therefore been asked to submit their papers, and these papers would be taken together and sent out for assessment.
“We expect that in the next one month or so, we should be able to get results before the next accreditation”, he said.
“Beyond these internal efforts, the Vice Chancellor is also appealing to the state government to be allowed to employ more senior lecturers and professors so that we will be able to get into the system to beef up our staff strength”, he said.
Kinanee had earlier in his speech at the occasion, revealed that out of 24 programmes in the university only two were granted full accreditation in 2013 by the National University Commission (NUC).
“The remaining twenty two programmes currently have interim accreditation”, he added.
Addressing the issue of accreditation, the commissioner for Education, Prof Ebeku affirmed that the university is working towards achieving full accreditation this time around.
He assured the vice chancellor that government would do all that is necessary to ensure that the university gets full accreditation in the remaining programmes.
The Rivers State University of Science and Technology will not hesitate to expel students found to indulge in acts capable of tarnishing the image of the institution.
Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Blessing C. Didia, stated this on Wednesday at the 34th matriculation ceremony of the university,
Didia, who stated this in his address at the occasion, charged the matriculating students to adhere strictly to the disciplinary policies of the university and the code of conduct as spelt out in the students hand book.
“You are advised to be conversant with the disciplinary policies of this university and the code of conduct which were spelt out in the students hand book.
“For the avoidance of doubts, all forms of examination misconduct including what is commonly called sorting are punishable.
You must shun membership of any clandestine organizations or secret cult activities, as senate of this university will not fail to expel all bad elements from the university system”, he said.
While congratulating the students and welcoming them to the institution, the Acting VC also charged them to always engage in what is required of them by the university authorities.
‘One of the objectives of university education is to produce graduates who are found worthy in character and leaning and to be found worthy in character, you must be emotionally and physically balanced, morally and spiritually upright.
As you are starting a journey to an unknown destination, do not be among the seeds that will fall by the way side. Be among the seeds that will fall on fertile soil, germinate, grow, mature and bear good fruits.
To do all these, you need to be closer to your God and take your studies seriously, he said.
A total of 3.912 students matriculated in seven faculties, Agriculture (185), Engineering (949), Environmental Science (255), Law (307), Management Sciences (1,119), Science (490) and Science Education (607)
Sogbeba Dokubo
The Mayor of Housing, My-ACE China, has teamed up with a renowned hospital group in Port Harcourt, the Meridian Hospitals, which is in partnership with the Pilgrims Health Foundation, to carry out a one-day medical outreach last Tuesday.
The free treatment scheme took place at Oromenike Government Girls Secondary School in D-Line, Port Harcourt, with over 100 persons accessing free treatments, including free eye-glasses and booking for eye surgeries.
Other areas of treatment included general health consultations and treatment; blood pressure and sugar level testing; malaria testing and treatment; free prescriptions; preventive health talks focusing on hygiene, maternal health, and nutrition.
The scheme was conducted under the theme: ‘Bringing Healthcare to the Community.’
Newsmen who visited the venue of the scheme found that enthusiastic beneficiaries had thronged the area as early as 7a.m. After setting up, the medical team began attending to the patients.
Mr. Jerry Onwuso, a 63-year-old patient, who was first to see eye doctors and got eye glasses and drugs, told newsmen that he was pleased with the medical intervention.
He made it clear he did not pay any money to get all the treatments and glasses, and pleaded that the scheme be sustained.
Another patient, Loveth Sam, expressed satisfaction with the scheme and appealed to the sponsors to continue to increase the benefits.
Throwing some light on the scheme, Mr. China said he worked in Meridian Hospitals as a Lab. Scientist 19 years ago, but resigned because he could not bear to see patients struggling for life because they had no money to pay for treatment.
He said he came back to help extend free medical treatment to the less privileged.
Sources said China was always having issues with the hospital authorities when he would insist on critical patients being allowed to be treated first, with or without money.
Years later, China, who now goes by a brand name, the Mayor of Housing, returned to the Meridian Hospital headquarters to support free medical scheme.
He also went the next day to the headquarters of Meridian, after the one-day medical outreach, to give cash gifts and palliatives to workers he met when he worked there but had remained in service since he left.
He encouraged them to continue to give their all to humanity through the hospital. The Mayor of Housing called most of them by name and a cloud of emotions descended on them during the reunion.
Appreciating the gesture, the Founder and Chief Medical Director, Dr. Iyke Odo, said China had always manifested hard-work, ambition, and impulsive giving.
According to him, the then young bright boy was full of humanity, kindness, love, and made friends easily, adding that “not everybody that gives is a giver. The difference is that givers are given to give.”
Dr. Odo used the opportunity to call on governments to review Nigeria’s health insurance system and make it work in Nigeria to save lives.
He said it was sad watching critically sick persons abandoned because they did not have money for treatment.
He also condemned harsh tax and electricity tariffs whereby facilities like his now pay N12 million instead of N500,000 few years back.
He wondered why hospitals were being made to pay tariffs like oil companies, citing many other countries where medical facilities were placed on low rates and tariffs so they could charge moderate fees from patients.
The Renewed Hope Initiative in conjunction with the Rivers State Government has empowered 500 elderly citizens in Rivers State with financial support of N200,000 each.
The empowerment programme was part of activities to celebrate the third anniversary of the Renewed Hope Initiative Elderly Support Scheme RHIESS, a social investment policy initiated by the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.
Speaking at the event which held at the Government House, Port Harcourt, recently, under the theme, ‘Finding Joy in Old Age,’ Senator Tinubu said the gesture which has become traditional since 2023 was a mark of gratitude in recognition of the invaluable contributions of the senior citizens to nation building.
The First Lady who was represented by the wife of the Rivers State Governor and State Coordinator of the Renewed Hope Initiative, Lady Valerie Fubara, said the scheme was to “support two hundred and fifty (250) vulnerable elderly citizens aged 65 and above in all the 36 states of the federation, the Federal Capital Territory, and veterans from the Defence and Police Officers’ Wives Association (DEPOWA) totalling 9,500 selected beneficiaries across the nation.
She urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that will make them find joy in old age.
“I encourage you to continue playing your part by staying healthy and active, nurture both your body and mind through regular exercise and meaningful engagement,” Senator Tinubu advised.
On her part, Lady Fubara said the State Government through the magnanimity of the governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has increased the beneficiaries of the programme from 250 to 500.
She restated the commitment of the State Government towards provision of social welfare and improving the standard of living of the elderly in the State.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary, Rivers State Contributory Health Protection Programme (RIVCHPP), Dr Vetty Agala, said the State Government has through the Health4allrivers Initiative, introduced free medical care for senior citizens in the State, in line with the Renewed Hope Initiative.
