Education
Wike Stops Sanitation Fees In Private Schools …As RSG Withdraws Licences of 16 Schools
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has ordered private schools in the state to stop paying sanitation fees to government agencies and parastatals till further notice.
Giving the directive last Friday at Government House, Port Harcourt during a meeting with heads of private schools in the State, the Governor emphasised that since government ultimately pays for refuse disposal, there is no need for the schools to pay.
“If the students leave their refuse in the centre of the road, who picks them? Government. Who pays those people who pick the refuse? Government.
“So, government pays for your refuse, you pay sanitation to who? Government. We will sort out all these things so that all these payments and non-payments will not happen again,” the governor said.
Governor Wike further explained that until the modalities are worked out with the appropriate authority, there is no need for any school to pay sanitation fee to anybody or agency.
The governor also ordered for the withdrawal of the licences of 16 schools for failing to attend the meeting, which, he said, was scheduled to iron out discrepancies in the educational system.
The schools are Charles Dale Memorial International School, Bereton Montessori Nursery/Primary School, Aladumo High School, Beulahland Standard Nursery/Primary School and Jephthah Comprehensive Secondary School as well as Royal Girls Academy.
Others are Graceland International Secondary School, the Grove Nursery/Primary School, Trinitate International Secondary School, Brookstone Secondary School, UNIPORT International Secondary School and Greenoak International School.
Also included are St. Benedict Immaculate Canadian Academy Secondary School, Kateville International High School, Goldsprings High School and Montessori International Nursery/Primary School.
“All schools that are not approved will be shut down immediately because we cannot continue to have illegal schools that government does not know of their existence”, Governor Wike concluded.
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.