Education
NOUN VC Charges 17,804 Matriculating Students On Knowledge
The Vice Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has urged new students of the university to be studious, have thirst for knowledge and the limits of ideas during their academic journey with the institution.
Peters made the call during he 20th matriculation ceremony for the students which took place virtually on Saturday across the 103 study centres in the country.
A statement issued by Mr Ibrahim Sheme, Director, Media and Publicity, NOUN, quoted Peters as also urging the students to be expository and courageous.
“I want you to know you are now our ambassadors, and I wish to request you to be of good character, befitting of your new status as students of NOUN.
“As positive ambassadors, we expect you to draw friends, associates, relatives and the society at large to NOUN Community of learning, as you represent the old adage of taking the gown to the town.”
He also promised the students that as members of the NOUN community, they would be given excellent opportunities to learn in an atmosphere of mutual respect, justice and quality service delivery.
“It will be required of you to adapt to a new mode of learning that is mostly remote and technology driven, flexible, but challenging.
“Your welfare and satisfaction is paramount to us. Therefore, our study centres are being renovated and modified for effective and ever-improving service delivery.
“Our curriculum, course materials development, information request, service delivery and examination administration processes are continuously reviewed to advance your learning experience.
“Our e-library facilities are replicated in all study centres.
“As we strive for perfection in the deployment of cutting-edge technologies for your learning and other service deliveries, the process may encounter challenges, some of these will be related to the state of infrastructure in this part of the world,” he said.
The VC also stated that NOUN was determined to make learning rewarding and satisfactory.
He said that the learning content and service delivery facilities were being upgraded continuously with the state-of-the-art methodologies and innovations in the use of information and communication.
According to Peters, NOUN operates in a worldwide community of Open and Distance Learning (ODL), plays a significant roles in several international ODL bodies through affiliations.
Peters further urged the students to be resolute and seek assistance promptly when challenges arose.
The Registrar of the institution, Mr Felix Edoka, administered the matriculation oath to the students.
The 20th matriculation, the first performed by the VC since his assumption of office on Feb. 11, had some 17,804 students, with 11,983 for undergraduate and 5,821 for postgraduate studies.
Education
‘Our Target Is To Go Beyond Academic Accomplishments’

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
Education
Niger Delta Students Suspend Protest Against NDDC In PH

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
Education
Administrator Inspects School

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.