Education
RSG Pledges Financial Support For RSU …To Revisit Staff Employment
The Rivers State Government has pledged to support the state-owned University towards the attainment of its goal and autonomy.
The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, made the pledge at the weekend as visitor to the Rivers State University (RSU) during the 29th Convocation Ceremony of the Institution.
Governor Wike, who had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over some aspects of projects carried out in the institution and cleanliness status of the surroundings, however assured that the government will support the university to the best of its ability.
“We shall continue to support the university to the best of our financial ability to advance its autonomy as well as enable it meet its critical obligations to the students, workers and all the people they serve”, he said.
The Governor, who was very critical about the level of development considering what had been released to the university, expressed delight that the faculty of medical sciences had taken off with the admission of remedial students.
He was, however, furious with the fact after his last visit to the school a year ago, the building for the medical school was still at the decking stage.
“I cannot accept it. One year after I came here, they are still talking about decking of the first floor. If it will take one year to do decking, how will they finish this in December, 2017”, he stressed.
Consequently, “I have invited the contractor to see me in my office.
…If it requires us to change the contractor, be assured that I’m going to make sure that I will do it and provide funds for the completion of the faculty of medical services with immediate effects”, the Governor assured.
On the Under-Staffing of the University, Governor Wike also stated that it will be looked into and necessary steps taken to address the issue.
On the issue of Staff shortfall, I have directed the Commissioner of Education, Prof Kaniye Ebeku to meet with the management of the university to jointly evaluate the situation and bring accordingly on areas of critical needs for us to take necessary action in that direction”, he said.
To the graduands, the Governor urged them to view their graduation as a new beginning that will come with its own challenges.
“It is heart-warming to know that the education you have acquired has a strong foundation for you to advance your future programmes.
Governor Wike also used the opportunity to announce that from henceforth, the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) will now be named Rivers State University (RSU), in accordance with the amendment of the law that created the Institution.
Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Blessing Didia, had among other things, urged the government to allow the institution to employ, or refill vacuums created by retirement and death of staff.
“The Committee of Provosts and Deans has in a recent report, recommended that the university should embarks the government to let the institution to either employ, or refill vacuums created by retirement and death of staff.
“The Committee of Provosts and Deans has in a recent report, recommended that the university should embarks on massive recruitment exercise for all categories of academic staff in order not to risk denial of accreditation status by NUC.
Permit me, your Excellency and visitor to the university, to join my colleagues to appeal to you to consider the report and grant us the privilege to employ, even if to replace staff who retired or died in the past one year”, he said.
Sobeba Dokubo
Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu has inaugurated the newly constituted Governing Councils of the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) and the University of Education and Entrepreneurship (UEE), Akamkpa.
At the ceremony on Thursday in Calabar, the Governor urged the members to drive institutional excellence, ensure accountability, and align with global best practices.
Governor Otu acknowledged that UNICROSS had long suffered from what many perceived as gross neglect, particularly in terms of physical development.
“After a deep thought and consultation, and having considered all available facts and evidence, I am today opening a new chapter in the relationship between government and its institutions of higher education,” the Governor declared.
He emphasised that while his administration is committed to a renewed focus on higher education, this attention must be matched with transparency and responsibility by the universities’ management.
The same expectation, he said, applies to the University of Education and Entrepreneurship in Akamkpa.
Governor Otu stated that the appointments into both councils and management were carefully considered and reflect the state’s finest minds and seasoned professionals.
“I have taken pains in appointing some of the best that the State has in both the Governing Councils and Management of the institutions. I implore you to apply your wealth of experience in making the institutions world-class,” he charged.
He also stressed the importance of respecting the distinct roles of Councils and management, pointing out that most university problems emanate from role conflict or interference. He tasked each of the councils to stick strictly to its clearly defined functions.
The Governor encouraged council members to leverage their networks to attract new sources of funding and value to their institutions.
“Do not limit yourselves to already known threads of resource sources.”, he said.
Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has announced a 50 percent reduction in tuition fees for all Kaduna State-owned tertiary institutions, describing it as a major step toward removing barriers to higher education.
Speaking through his Principal Private Secretary, Professor Bello Ayuba, at the inauguration of the Kaduna State University Chapter of the Kaduna State Students Union, the Governor said the policy has made it easier for students from low-income backgrounds to pursue university education in the state.
He expressed gratitude to the students for presenting him with the Sword of Honour Award and for recognising the achievements of his administration, which were highlighted during the event’s public lecture.
He promised, “Government will continue to support students and the youth generally to realize their ambitions. On your part, make sure that an atmosphere of peace prevails to allow for government’s development programmes to run their full course.’’
The Governor advised students not to allow agents of disunity and chaos to use them to destabilize their communities and steer them away from their career goals.
Governor Sani reminded the students and lecturers at the event that ‘’no meaningful development can be achieved in a state of chaos, disunity and mutual mistrust.’’
However, he said that ‘’going by your conduct over the period that I have been at the helm of affairs of our state so far, you are reliable partners of progress and I can count on you every step of the way.’’
The governor recalled that Kaduna State was under siege owing to the insecurity in some of the local government areas, which had dire consequences on agricultural and business activities.
He noted that the security challenges have now been drastically reduced owing to the combined commitment of security agencies, resulting in safer high ways, people returning to farms and the opening of local markets.
120 Oldest Secondary Schools in Nigeria
The governor further said that the Birnin Gwari cattle market which had been closed for over 10 years, has been reopened, so have the other markets in security challenged areas in Giwa local government.
The management of Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic,Rumuola, Port Harcourt, Rivers State has admitted 1,882 fresh students to study various courses and programmes for the 2024)2024 academic session.
This announcement was made by the Rector of the polytechnic, Dr Moses Neebee during the 34th matriculation ceremony of the institution held in Port Harcourt over the weekend.
Dr Neebee described convocation as an annual rituals of every institution used to mark the end of admission process, adding that the polytechnic has recorded some academic milestones and achievements.
According to him, the institution recorded 100 percent in the just concluded NABTE accreditation and resources visitation exercise, adding that all the 24 courses presented by the institution during the accreditation were approved including the almighty Diploma in Law.
According to the admission statistics provided by the Rector,1,510 students were admitted for the National Diploma programmes ,while 372 students were offered admission into the Higher National Diploma and part programmes of the polytechnic.
The Rector while congratulating the matriculants urged them to take their studies seriously and ensure that they pass through the institution and as well allow the institution pass through them and not only in learning but also in character.
“ Let me congratulate you all for your successes to scale through the rigorous hurdles of our admission processes. Take advantage of the various technical and entrepreneur skills in the school to equip your self which will make yourselves employed and be better equipped in the society”, he said.
The Rector warned them to desist from any activities that will jeopardise their academic success, stressing that the school has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and sexual abuse.
He used the opportunity to thank the state government for the support given to the school especially in the areas of infrastructure development.