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We’ll Sustain Funding Of Rivers Varsity – RSG
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has declared that his administration will continue to sustain the funding of the Rivers State University to ensure that all courses of the institution get full accreditation from relevant academic bodies.
The governor also announced that Saturday, April 1, 2017 was the last day that the institution was address as Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) as her change of name by the Rivers State House of Assembly took effect from that date.
The University would henceforth be known as Rivers State University.
Addressing the 29th convocation of the university on Saturday, Governor Wike assured that his administration will always make the necessary investments to ensure that no Rivers person is denied access to quality education.
He said: “A developing State, such as ours, needs the knowledge, skills and dexterity of our people to progress and prosper. Our administration recognizes that providing quality education, as a tool for development, is as important as providing physical infrastructure.
“That is why we are giving tremendous attention and resources to revamping the education sector and ensuring that our educational system truly empowers our people to successfully compete in the global environment.
“Ultimately, our commitment is to ensure that no Rivers person is left behind from the benefits of quality education asa tool for the transformation of our economy. “
He challenged the management of the university to refocus its energy towards fast tracking academic and infrastructural development in the school.
On the Faculty of Management Sciences and Faculty of Environmental Sciences buildings being funded by the Rivers State Government, the governor expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of work done.
He directed the Pro-Chancellor and Vice Chancellor of the University to ensure that the building defects he pointed out during his inspection of the facilities are corrected.
The governor also directed the contractor handling the College of Medical Sciences to report to the Government House to explain the slow pace of the work.
Governor Wike charged the graduants of the institution to be worthy ambassadors of the institution, who will contribute their quota to the development of the state.
He said: “I say congratulations, once again to all the graduants for this milestone. You have all done well and deserve not only to celebrate but also to be celebrated.”
In his address, Pro-Chancellor of the University, Justice Iche Ndu represented by Rev. Dr. Joseph Omaegbu lauded Governor Wike for bringing to fruition the College of Medical Sciences of the Rivers State University to fruition, in addition to completing the Faculty of Management Sciences and Faculty of Environmental Sciences building at the university.
Also speaking, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Blessing Didia said the school is an extension of the state’s construction activities.
He said that the university awarded first degrees, post graduate diplomas, masters and doctorate degrees to 4536 graduants.
Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, has called on Nigerians to reject silence in the face of extrajudicial killings and other abuses of human rights.
Soyinka stressed that accountability and civic courage remain essential to rebuilding public confidence in the nation’s institutions.
He made the call during the 28th Wole Soyinka Lecture held in Port Harcourt, last Friday as part of activities marking his 92nd birthday.
The lecture, themed “Reclaiming the Nigerian State through Accountability, Justice and Civic Courage,” drew participants from different sectors of society.
The renowned playwright and human rights advocate said the country’s greatest tragedy was not only the unlawful killings carried out by state and non-state actors, but also the silence that often follows such incidents, allowing perpetrators to evade justice.
According to him, indifference by citizens to abuses of power and violations of fundamental human rights has contributed to the persistence of extrajudicial killings and other forms of injustice across the country.
Soyinka said he dedicated this year’s lecture to victims of unlawful killings, noting that the event was intended to honour individuals who had lost their lives as a result of failures within the justice system and society’s inability to protect the sanctity of human life.
He stressed that the lecture was dedicated to what he described as the basic unit of every society – the human being, and urged Nigerians to place greater value on human dignity irrespective of ethnicity, religion or social status.
The Nobel Laureate recalled several incidents of violence, including the fatal shooting and killing of a young man in Ugheli in Delta State by a police officer, and the mob killing of Deborah Yakubu in Sokoto State sometime ago, lamenting that many of those responsible are yet to face justice.
He expressed concern that some perpetrators of violent crimes had openly admitted their actions without fear of prosecution, describing such situations as evidence of serious failures within the nation’s justice system.
Soyinka maintained that when justice is delayed or denied, public confidence in state institutions continues to erode, thereby encouraging further violations of human rights.
Responding to critics who accuse him of promoting religious or ethnic divisions whenever he spoke on such issues, Soyinka dismissed the allegations and pointed out that his advocacy has always centred on the protection of human life and the rule of law.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and continue demanding justice in cases of alleged extrajudicial killings, including the recent shooting of a young man by a police officer, stressing that every life deserves equal protection under the law.
The literary icon also recalled an earlier pledge by a past incoming president to make public the files relating to unresolved assassinations and extrajudicial killings, questioning the status of the promised investigations.
He challenged citizens to continue asking questions about unresolved cases, insisting that justice, accountability and respect for human dignity are indispensable to building a peaceful, democratic and inclusive Nigerian society.
The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has clarified that there was no fire at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, contrary to its earlier advisory.
Earlier yesterday, FAAN had announced that a fire incident had occurred at Terminal 2 of the nation’s busiest airport, and assured that its Aerodrome Rescue and Firefighting Service had been deployed to contain the situation.
There were also reports that activities were briefly disrupted at the airport yesterday after smoke was seen inside parts of the terminal.
Videos circulating online showed passengers kept standing outside the terminal while firefighters responded to the incident.
However, in an update issued less than two hours later by the Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Henry Agbebire, and posted on FAAN’s official X handle, the authority said preliminary findings showed that the smoke seen at the terminal was caused by the discharge of the facility’s FM-200 fire suppression system.
“Further to our earlier advisory regarding the incident at Terminal 2 of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) wishes to provide the following update,” the statement read.
“Preliminary findings indicate that there was no fire at the terminal. The smoke observed within the affected area resulted from the discharge of the terminal’s FM-200 fire suppression system. The reason for the activation of the fire suppression system is currently being investigated,” FAAN stated.
The authority said normal operations had resumed at the terminal while investigations were ongoing to determine the cause of the incident.
“Normal operations have since resumed at the terminal, while detailed investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the incident,” the statement added.
The authority thanked passengers, airlines, airport users and other stakeholders for their understanding and cooperation.
FAAN appreciated the understanding and cooperation of passengers, airlines, airport users and all stakeholders, and reiterated its commitment to the safety and security of all airport operations.