Education
Accreditation Exercise, Not Witch-Hunt – NUC

Contrary to insinuations
that the recent visit by a team of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) was intended to with-hunt the university the NUC says it is has said this is not true.
Leader of the visitation team, Mrs Hansuti Pyochi Abechi, stated this during a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor (VC) of the university, Professor Joseph Kinanee.
According to her, we have come to accredit programmes in the Faculties of Education, Social Sciences, Natural and Applied Sciences, Business Studies, Humanities, Vocational and Technical Education.
She therefore urged management of the university to open up and make required information available to the panel.
Mrs Abechi, explained that such honest data would be used, amongst others, to assist the university access funds, noting that if such information was hidden from the NUC, the deficiencies in the institution would not be known, and necessary assistance could elude the university.
We would help to expose the university and let the world know that graduates from IAUE had gone through the right process and encourage others aspiring to study here that the institution’s programmes are run in consonance with guidelines of the NUC’, she said.
In his response, Professor Kinanee expressed appreciation to God for making the day a reality, while also thanking the State Governor, Nyesom Wike for his support to the university.
He promised that the university will make all necessary records available to the NUC, adding that “It has been my dream to see programmes and courses run by the university accredited”.
High point of the visit was the presentation of mathematics text books to the institution by Professor Lawal Adetula, a member of the team.
Stories by Sogbeba Dokubo
Education
‘Our Target Is To Go Beyond Academic Accomplishments’

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
Education
Niger Delta Students Suspend Protest Against NDDC In PH

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
Education
Administrator Inspects School

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.