Education
Poly Registrar In Police Net For Violating Social Distancing Order
The Nasarawa State Police Command in has arrested the Acting Registrar of the Sate Polytechnic, Lafia, Mr Murktar Wakeel for violating government’s order on social distancing to prevent spread of COVID-19.
The state Commissioner of Police Mr Bola Longe, said this while speaking with newsmen yesterday in Lafia.
Longe said that the police had also arrested Mr Sulieman Agyo, the overseer of Lafia North Development Area of the state.
He said that the duo were arrested on Saturday during a wedding ceremony in Lafia.
Longe said that the wedding ceremony held in Lafia was a clear contravention of the state government’s order on social distancing.
He said the command would ensure the arrest of all guests at the wedding irrespective of their status in the society.
“I can confirm to you that we have arrested the acting registrar of the state polytechnic Lafia and the overseer of Lafia development area and they are helping us with our investigations to ensure that all those that attended the wedding were arrested for prosecution.
“This is to let everyone know that nobody is above the law in Nasarawa state,” Longe said.
He said the suspects will be arraigned at the court on Tuesday after the Easter holidays.
He added that since the state government’s restriction order on April 2, several violators had been arrested and prosecuted across the state with a number of vehicles impounded.
Longe, however, expressed satisfaction with the level of compliance with the restriction order, especially in Lafia the state capital.
“I have just gone round the state capital to monitor the level of compliance, especially churches in view of the Easter celebration and there is 100 per cent compliance,” Longe said.
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.