Education

MOSOP Wants RSG To Invest In Ogoni People’s Education

Published

8 years ago

December 31, 2018

The United States of America chapter of the Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People, MOSOP-USA has appealed to the Rivers State Government to invest more in the education of the Ogoni people.
An activist and motivational speaker, Ikpobari Dumletam made the appeal while handing over 2,700 books donated by two groups: MOSOP USA and the Council of Ogoni Professionals (COP), USA to a public library in Bori, Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Dumletam, who is a former President of MOSOP-USA said the motive behind the donation was to help develop the minds of Ogoni students, saying, “I was sent here by two groups that are resident in the United States of America. MOSOP USA, Chicago Chapter and Council of Ogoni Professionals (COP), USA.
“We believe that with the development of the mind comes the overalls development of the body, the individual and the people in general. Another reason is that we found out that libraries unlike what was obtainable in the United States were stationed in one point in the whole of Rivers State. This donation will help create wider access.
“When knowledge is translated into something concrete it brings about improvement of self and the society. Today we have 2, 700 books and some magazines here. There are more than six thousand books and more than 15 computers that are awaiting shipments from the United States. This is a pilot programme because they want this structure to be a workable library,” he said. Dumletam, said of the total number of books donated, over 500 are for University readership, 500 are for secondary school readership, another 500 or more are for primary school readership, while the rest are for general readership.
He said the groups decided on this collaboration two years ago after they heard reports about the structure, saying, “They never wanted the library to be wasted because they believe there are students that are going to use this place.”
Dumletam further disclosed that MOSOP USA was partnering other organizations in that country to provide medical materials to cater for some health needs of Ogoni people, especially those in remote communities, even as he revealed plans by MOSOP USA and COP, USA to give a facelift to the burial site of late Ogoni hero and environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa in Bane, his home town near Bori.
In his remark after receiving the books, the Librarian, Khana Local Government Public Library, Neeka Nwite said the library was built in 2009 by a former lawmaker in the Rivers State House of Assembly, Hon. Befii Charles Nwile who represented Khana Constituency 1, as a constituency project.
Nwite described books as aupaction materials, saying, “There is no education without the library. Education is all about developing the mind.
He added, “Today, MOSOP USA have surprised me because I have made several pleas and consulted educationist. Even lawyers and others of Ogoni origin for assistance and donation of their materials to this library, but none have responded, except one Rev. Paul Legbara who once donated some books.
The Librarian thanked MOSOP USA and COP for the gesture, saying, the library has been increased by over two thousand books, and promised that the book would be processed accordingly and displayed on the shelf for public use.

Dennis Naku

Education

IAUE Trains HODs, Deans Ahead of NUC Resource Verification

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Academic Planning Unit of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE, has organized a Pre-Resource Assessment Workshop for Heads of Department and Deans as part of preparations for the forthcoming NUC Resource Verification exercise.

The workshop held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Postgraduate Hall of the University. It drew professors, deans and HODs from across faculties.

Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu, the University Librarian, Prof. Emmanuel Okwu, welcomed principal officers and other participants. He described the session as critical to ensuring the University’s readiness for the NUC assessment.

Prof. Okwu stressed that the exercise was not routine but a strategic step toward meeting national standards. He urged participants to take the presentations seriously and implement recommendations in their departments.

The Director of the Academic Planning Unit, in his welcome address, said the workshop was designed to assess the level of preparedness of departments ahead of the verification. He noted that the University had already invested significantly in facilities and staffing and was now awaiting the NUC team.

Three resource persons took participants through key aspects of the verification process. The Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Joseph Kinanee, spoke on “NUC Resource Verification and Their Requirements.”

Prof. Levi Doe Kalagbor, Director of Quality Assurance, addressed “The Role of Staff in Successful Resource Verification Exercise.” Prof. Isaac Ogundu, Dean of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, presented on “NUC Scoring Format/Guide and Its Implication for Approval Status.”

The presentations were followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. Participants sought clarifications on documentation, facilities and staffing ratios, and received detailed responses from the facilitators.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Okwu thanked everyone for their active participation and engagement. He expressed optimism that IAUE would record a successful outcome in the upcoming NUC resource verification. The programme ended with a closing prayer and refreshments.

Education

UNIPORT VC Hails Postgraduate School Over Planned International Conference

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Chike Princewill, has commended the School of Graduate Studies for initiating an international conference, describing it as a timely move to boost research output, academic excellence and the University’s global visibility.

Prof. Princewill gave the commendation on Friday while receiving members of the conference planning committee set up by the School. The delegation was led by the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Doris Adameh.

He applauded the committee for conceiving the project and urged members to pursue it with diligence and strategic planning. According to him, such academic gatherings are critical to positioning UNIPORT as a hub for cutting-edge research in the region and beyond.

The Vice-Chancellor specifically charged the committee to engage the University’s alumni as strategic partners in the execution of the conference. He noted that their networks, experience and resources would add significant value to the event.

Prof. Princewill further directed the team to reach out to former postgraduate students of the University to solicit their support and cooperation. He said their involvement would help ensure wider participation and a more successful hosting.

He stressed that alumni remain vital stakeholders in the University’s growth agenda. “Their contributions can significantly enhance the success of the event and strengthen our academic and research profile,” he stated.

Earlier in her remarks, Prof. Adameh said the committee was constituted by the School of Graduate Studies to plan and deliver an international conference that meets global standards. She noted that the process was already underway.

Prof. Adameh explained that the conference is designed to bring together scholars, researchers and professionals from across the world. The goal, she added, is to advance knowledge exchange and foster academic collaboration that will benefit both the University and the wider scholarly community.

By: Amadi Akujobi

Education

Education Commissioner hails RSU’S growth research as key to rivers development

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended Rivers State University, RSU, for its resilience, academic growth and research contributions, describing the institution as critical to the state’s socio-economic development.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during an official visit to the University in Nkpolu-Oroworukwo. He held talks with principal officers, provosts, campus heads, deans and directors at the Dr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building.

The Commissioner said the visit was to engage the University’s leadership on consolidating gains and strengthening capacity for quality teaching, cutting-edge research, innovation and community service. He noted that RSU occupies a strategic position in the state’s development agenda.

Reaffirming government’s commitment, Dr. Nwagor said education remains the bedrock of human capital development and economic transformation. He stressed that investments in infrastructure, staff development and digital learning must be matched with strong institutional systems, transparency and measurable outcomes.

He urged the University to prioritize key performance indicators such as accreditation performance, research output, internally generated revenue, student outcomes and graduate employability. According to him, these metrics should drive continuous improvement across faculties.

Dr. Nwagor also charged RSU to accelerate its digital transformation, establish research and innovation hubs to solve real societal problems, and maintain existing infrastructure. He advised management to explore sustainable funding through grants, endowments, alumni engagement and strategic industry partnerships.

The Commissioner emphasized that government and the University must play complementary roles. While government meets its statutory funding obligations, he said, the institution must strengthen internal efficiency and pursue legitimate private-sector collaborations.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, appreciated the State Government for its sustained support. He highlighted last year’s budgetary intervention for accreditation, approval of funds for the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies Film Festival slated for November 2026, and the implementation of the new minimum wage for RSU staff.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi, however, drew attention to pressing challenges. He cited shortages of teaching and non-teaching staff ahead of accreditation exercises, inadequate classrooms, libraries, equipment and office spaces, and acute accommodation deficits for staff and students.

The Vice-Chancellor appealed for support to recruit more personnel, retain retired academics on contract, and engage sabbatical and adjunct lecturers. He also requested funding for NUC and professional accreditation scheduled for October, stressing that successful outcomes are vital to RSU’s competitiveness. He reaffirmed management’s commitment to work with government to position RSU as a leading centre of knowledge, research and innovation.

By Amadi Akujobi