Education
ABU Alumni Salute Wike’s Giant Strides
Candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (utme), at the entrance of Top Ville College, venue of the utme computer based test in Igbo-Olomu, Ikorodu in Lagos on Saturday.
The Rivers State chap
ter of the Alumni Association of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has described the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike as an apostle of the rule of law, who has made giant strides in governance within such a short time in office.
The commendation was made by the branch Chairman, Mallam Adamu Mamman Kontagora, during a courtesy visit on the recently retired Chief Judge of Rivers State, Justice Daisy Okocha in Port Harcourt.
Kontagora said posterity will be kind to Wike for putting an end to the crisis in the Rivers State judiciary by appointing the first female Chief Judge and opening the courts after nearly one year of closure.
The alumni chairman, who was accompanied by Professor Jessica Ezekiel-Hart, Mr. Ralph Amabipi, and Mr. Daerego Somiari, and other members of the alumni, congratulated retired Justice Daisy Okocha on her invaluable contributions to the advancement of the judiciary, citing the establishment of a biometric database and staff directory, judicial information system, provision of public conveniences for litigants, and resuscitation of medical services at the court premises during her tenure.
Kontagora said only personal commitment; exemplary devotion and selfless service could have taken Justice Okocha to the enviable career height of Chief Judge of Rivers State.
In her response, the retired Chief Judge, Justice Daisy Okocha, gave God all the glory on her retirement after 35 years of service to Nigeria through the Rivers State Judiciary.
Okocha, who is an alumnus of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, also commended Wike for being the instrument used by God to fulfill His purpose in her life, and described the governor as a true Bar man with unparalleled respect for the rule of law.
It would be recalled that Justice Daisy Okocha joined the Rivers State Judiciary as a Magistrate in 1981.
A glorious career on the bench was crowned with her retirement on January is, 2016, as the first female Chief Judge of Rivers State.
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.