Education
VC Tasks Alumni On Students’ Mentorship
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof. Opuenebo Binya Owei, has charged the alumni association of the institution to initiate programmes geared towards mentoring students of the institution ,adding that such programmes should include seminars, workshops, trainings and academic competitions.
Prof owei gave the charge when the leadership of the Rivers State University Alumni Association paid her a courtesy visit in her office, last Friday .
Prof. Owei called on members of the association to inspire the students through such programme that will make them to be hardworking and enable the students to graduate with good grades which will enable them to become employable, adding that the university is for study and not a place for frivolous activities.
She also called on them to teach the students simple courtesy and correct them when they are derailing from the right path, stressing that these mentoring measures if adopted will be a seed for future reward. “One of my mentees is now a professor with the University of Lagos”, she stated.
She commended the association for the various projects done in the university campus, describing them as excellent physical projects and assured that the management of the university will continue to partner with them towards achieving the goals of the institution.
Earlier in his address of welcome ,the National President of the alumni association, Ambassador Israel Egbunefu said the essence of the visit was to congratulate Prof. Owei on her recent appointment as the acting vice-chancellor and to show their support towards the success of her administration.
Amb. Egbunefu said the focus of the association was to collaborate with the institution in the development of the alma mater through programmes and projects and used the opportunity to highlight some of the projects already completed by the association, which includes, the remoulding of the main gate with access gate for pedestrians, provision of backup power supply at the medical centre, and provision of water tank at the NDDC hostel.
He disclosed that the association was working on a watch tower which will help in security and other developmental projects on campus, adding that arrangements were on for the Alumni Honours Day, where members who have contributed to the progress of the society in their respective fields will be honoured
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.