Education
NURSS, NANS Want Kinanee As Substantive VC
The National Union of
Rivers State Students (NURSS) and its National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) counterpart have appealed to the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike to confirm the appointment of the Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Joseph Kinanee.
They made the joint appeal recently, during a visit to the university through NANS secretary Zone B, Comrade Felix Nwizua and NURSS President, Comrade Vincent Dan-Jumbo.
While addressing students of the institution, the duo explained that they had come to interact with students, noting that the visit to the Vice Chancellor was necessitated by the feedbacks they got from students.
They commended Professor Kinanee for his “developmental strides, promotion of staff, harmonious working relationship with unions, conducive and safe hostel environment to study, and more importantly, for allowing students pay their school fees at no extra charge and at their own time.
“This virtue of tolerance and understanding of hardship encountered by parents, which other tertiary institutions were insensitive to, endeared him to students.
“We, therefore, call on the State Governor to allow him the opportunity to continue to be a source of hope and inspiration to us”, they said.
In his contribution, NANS presidential aspirant, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana described Professor Kinanee as “the friendliest and student-orientated Vice Chancellor of the institutions, hence “the best gift that the Governor can give to us is to confirm his appointment”.
He however encouraged the Acting VC not to relent in his efforts and to do more for students.
Responding, Professor Kinanee noted that the students were the primary reason for staff in the institution, hence if your welfare is not taken into consideration, all the efforts would be fruitless venture”.
He noted that though the financial situation in the country was a global issue, the university had been getting assistance from federal, state, and other agencies towards building new hostels and renovation of old ones.
Kinanee, however, urged the students to be patient as deliberate and conscious efforts were being made to address the challenges of inadequate hostel accommodation and other needs.
Management will continue to ensure an academic environment devoid of insecurity assault, extortion, and all other unnecessary penalties, as long as you remain students with integrity, impeccable character and tendencies, and also inculcate the spirit of scholarship”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the student union government president of the university, Comrade Eche Lucky Chinonso thanked the V C for all his efforts towards the well being of the students.
He promised that they (students) would “reciprocate the gestures by being role models for others to emulate.
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.