Education
Don Charges FG On Life-Threatening Metals’ Importation
A Professor of Analytical Chemistry at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUOE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, Prof Ozioma Adaunwo Ekpete, says there is heightened concern among policy makers and scientists concerning the effects of human and wildlife exposure to chemical compounds in the environment.
She said heavy metals which tend to persist in the environment over a long period, accumulate and produce toxic effects on humans and animals.
She therefore called on federal government and relevant agencies to stop the importation of cadmium, lead and mercury based toys and cheap jewelry into the country as these constitute harmful hazards to man and society at large.
Prof Ekpete stated this while presenting her inaugural lecture at the 22nd Inaugural Lecture series of the institution on the topic “Heavy Metal as Human Associates The Ubiquitous Inevitable,” held at the university’s auditorium recently.
She opined that the heavy metals consisted of degradable and non-degradable, adding that those degradable metals contribute to both economic and wellbeings of human
According to her, non-degradable pollutants are mutants, heavy metals, radioactive substances that are not broken down in the natural processes like actions of microbes and added that most of these are mutants that get accumulated in the environment and also get biologically magnified as these moves along the food chains in an unrecompensed state.
She described heavy metals as metals having a density that is greater than 5g/cm3 atomic weights or atomic numbers, adding that they stick around in the body and burrow in adipose.
Ekpete averred that the ubitiquos of these heavy metals cut across every spheres of human endeavor including foods, clothing and water among others ,adding that they also have some essential benefits to human survival such as in arsenic, cadmium, lead, Mercury, copper and chromium.
“The existence of heavy metal pollution in our environment as a result of natural and anthropogenic activities is a fact and not a fable or myth.
Heavy metals are found everywhere ,at homes ,in our offices ,inside cars and on the cloths we wear.etc, When released into land, water and air environment these pollutants find their ways into the human body during breathing, eating or drinking or by direct contact.”
“Heavy metals are not respecter of persons and know no boundaries since they are hardly forced to remain where they are produced.
Everybody is at risk, if no measure is taken to reduce heavy metal pollution people will be exposed to chemical threats,” she added.
The second female professor of Chemistry in Rivers State urged women to protect their children from heavy metals by reducing the application of lipsticks and chemicals to their hair as well as various make-ups and added that drinking water should be adequately treated before consumption.
Earlier in his speech, the vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Ozo Mercury Ndimele lauded the lecturer and described her as a thorough bred who had distinguished herself in academic excellence.
By: Akujobi Amadi & Ngozi Dennar
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.