Education
NANS Suspends Planned Protest In FCT On NOUN Issue
National President, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Mr Danielson Akpan,has ordered the immediate suspension of the planned mass protest in Abuja and environs by students of National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Akpan, in an interview with newsmen last Saturday in Abuja, said the planned protest which was initiated by one Bamigbade Taiwo, did not follow due process.
He said the mass action, which was conveyed in a letter to President Muhammadu Buhari did not have the backing and support of NANS.
“I want to clearly and categorically inform President Buhari and the general public that neither the letter nor the planned mass action emanated from the association.
“The writer is an impostor of one of the executive offices of NANS, which elections will be slated in the coming emergency senate sitting in September.
“He has been reprimanded and duly apologised for his actions via his facebook page, Bamigbade Taiwo Egalitarian.
“Hence, the planned mass action is suspended forthwith. It will only be considered when every channel and avenue for peaceful resolution and consultation is exhausted,’’ The NANS president stressed.
However, Akpan said that NANS felt the pains of the aggrieved students and sympathised with them.
He also affirmed that consultations with the management of NOUN and relevant stakeholders to resolve their various grievances would immediately commence.
“Therefore, students of NOUN should disregard and stay away from the planned mass action of 27th-31st August 27 to August 31, and go about their normal academic activities.
“I want to assure them that the NANS Presidency is ever willing and ready to address their grievances and fully protect their interests.’’
The Tide reports that the NOUN Law graduate students were calling on the Federal Government to intervene in the crisis between them and the Law School. The NOUN law students were denied admission into Law School.
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.