Education
IAUE Seeks Release Of Budgetary Allocations
The Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rivers State, has appealed to the state government to release funds accruable to the university to enable it develop its infrastructures.
Making the appeal recently, when the House Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT) visited the institution as part of its oversight functions, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ozo-Mekuri Ndimele, said the release of the fund would also enhance development of the school’s ICT.
Prof Ndimele, who was represented at the occasion by the university’s Director, Academic Planning, Prof. Vincent Ajuru, noted that the visibility of a university in the global network in terms of ICT is a determinant of the ranking of the institution.
Explaining the usefulness of ICT in the operations of the university, the VC said it had been very useful in the administration of the institution in various facets.
“The robust ICT platform in the university has made easier for delivery of administration services, financial operations and transactions, registration and release of students results and transcripts”, he said.
The Vice Chancellor also informed the House Committee members that Senate Meeting Minutes were accessible online, while plans are on to build a bigger ICT Centre and proposal made for students to write their examinations online.
Also speaking, the Director, ICT, Prof Jane Onwugbuta – Emyi, also appealed for government’s support in the provision of regular power supply in the campus.
While stating that poor power supply had constituted a major set back to the university, she noted that it would also affect the institution’s plans to build and operate a 500 capacity hall as a centre for the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) examinations.
Earlier, Chairman of the House Committee on ICT and leader of the delegation, Hon. Nwanaka Okpokiri stated the committee’s determination to ensure that challenges faced by the university in terms of budgetary allocations and release of same were addressed.
Hon Okpokiri, who noted that ICT was one of the economic development pillars, said towards resolving the stated challenges, the committee would ensure that donor agencies, companies etc, engaged in business around the university would be encouraged to lend necessary support.
He emphasized the need for the university to be ICT compliant and to give students the necessary training required to equip them in the new information and digital age.
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.