Education
Female Author Charges Writers On Social Dev
A young female author of the book, “The Language of the Sun”, Miss Okelani Aworabhi has advised young authors and upcoming writers to focus on books that will impact positively on the society and propel development in the country.
Aworabhi gave this advice while speaking with journalists during the launching and public presentation of her book “The Language of the Sun held at the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt, Saturday.
She urged the upcoming writers to ensure that they work and follow up with their dreams adding that they can succeed in realising their dreams only when they are driven by the passion of their dreams.
She disclosed that the dream of publishing the book started at when she was 17 years old and added that she almost abandoned the book due to some myriads of challenges that greeted her ambitions of becoming an author.
Miss Aworabhi, an indigene of Oloibiri community in Bayelsa State disclosed that she ventured in to the book in other to tell the story of the Niger Delta region that have been developmentally marginalised despite been the economic hub of the nation.
She noted that Oloibiri community in Bayelsa State where oil was first discovered in 1956 in commercial quantity have been relegated despite the God given a natural resources, adding that the God given blessings have become a curse to the people of the region.
The Geologist said the people of the region must speak with one voice and join in the struggle for the advancement of Niger Delta in a civilize way and not through arms carrying.
She expressed happiness that her years of dreaming has finally come to pass and thanked God for His benevolence as well as all those who contributed to the success of the publication and launching.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Prof Kimse Okoko described the author as a proud daughter of Niger Delta region adding that she had through her book expressed the injustices and neglects melted against the people of the region by successive government in the country.
He described her as both a revolutionist and activist who through the book x-rayed the struggles of the people of the region in many centuries and enjoined the people of the area to join hands in the struggle for the betterment of the region.
In his own speech, the Chief launcher, Dr Azibapu Godbless Eruani, Group president, Azikel Group, while launching the book described the author as a beacon of hope for the younger generation adding that he was happy that a youth can venture into a critical book writing such as this despite the challenges of environmental degradation and media influences affecting the society at the moment.
In his own speech, the book reviewer, Carlton Lindsay Barrett said the author in her book, “the language of the sun” introduced a new trend of experimental literature that changes the situation through storytelling and added that the story in the book was told in experimental fiction where modernity struggle with tradition.
According to him, the Novel deals with serious and relevant issues that will engage the concerns of readers of all ages, adding that the bold assertion of female independence that her main characters represent is also one of the most refreshing revelations of the book.
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.
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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.