Education
Group Unveils Classroom Block In Community
The Joint Free Zone Community Relations Initiative has commissioned a six classroom block for the people of Ikpoama Community in Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony, the Chairman of the forum, Alhaji Alhassan Ismaila Abubakar said the project was part of its Corporate Social Responsibility to the host communities.
Abubakar, who is also the Port Manager, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Onne/Ikpokiri Port Complex, disclosed that the six classroom block with toilet facilities was part of the 2016 project plans, adding that the importance of education in nation building and youths development cannot be over-emphasised.
According to him, “secondary education plays major role in the development of any society and is catalyst to the mind moulding of youths and empowerment”, pointing out that it also brings hope and future for the young ones to think and reason for their lives, rather than engaging in restiveness and other crimes.
He opined that the projects focused on the lives of the people to encourage families and less-privileged ones in the community, and noted that although they have wider plans for their host communities they were constrained due to lean resources.
The Chairman said the body will continue to ensure cordial co-existence between the host communities and the port operators by doing the needful to enjoy the prevailing peaceful environment as they watch for the nation’s economic growth or recovery to do more.
The port manager thanked the Amanyanabo of Ogu, His Majesty, King Nicholas Dickson Ibiebele Nimenibo, Loko 1X for his efforts in ensuring cordial relationship between the port and the community, and appealed for its sustenance.
In his speech, the Commissioner for Education, represented by Mr Loveday Omubo-Pepple said the present administration led by Governor Nyesom Wike has passion for educational growth in the state and thanked the initiators of the project and urged the beneficiaries to make good use of the gesture to attract more groups to the community.
Also speaking, the Leader of Ikpoama Community, Hon. Isaac Tamunoiminabo also commended the initiators, saying the project would further boost the educational advancement of the people even as he appealed to the government to approve a senior secondary school for the community to engage students that have finished their junior secondary career.
By: Collins Barasimeye.
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.