Education
VC Declares Zero Tolerance For Vices
Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, has declared that the institution had zero tolerance for all forms of vices in the institution.
The Vice Chancellor, who stated this in his address on Saturday, during the University’s 8th Matriculation ceremony said such vices include cultism, examination malpractice, and indecent dressing.
“Let me use this opportunity to inform you that this school has zero tolerance policy for cultism, examination malpractice, indecent dressing, and other anti-social vices,” he said.
While noting that IAUE has been adjudged “the Most Peaceful Campus” in the South-South of Nigeria, he thanked staff and older students for achieving the feat.
He also urged the matriculating students to “not allow yourselves to become destructive tools to destabilise the peace and academic calendar of the university.
“Your parents and guardians expect you to return with degrees and certificates at the end of your study, not heart-breaking news of rustication, expulsion, imprisonment, undue harm and unexpected death”, he cautioned.
Prof. Ndimele also informed the new students of steps taken by the management of the university to ensure that their rights and interests are projected.
These steps, he explained include making his personal GSM number available for students to enhance early communication in cases of deliberate victimization by lecturers.
Meanwhile, the VC also stated that “the Senate has resolved that one month after examinations, all students who are not owing fees/charges would have access to their result”.
In the same vein, “any lecturer who fails to submit his result would be severely sanctioned”.
A total of 1,962 students from the faculties, including Sandwitch and Part-Time Programmes Matriculated.
The faculties are: Business Studies (360), Education (153), Humanities (321), National and Applied Sciences (409), Social Sciences (445) and Vocational and Technical Education (79), while Sand witch and Part-Time completes the number with 61 and 134 students respectively.
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.