News
No Need For New Universities When Existing Ones Are Inadequately Funded -Wike
The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike says he does not believe that establishing more universities will solve the problems associated with higher education.
The governor stated this view while speaking at the flag-off ceremony for the establishment of the Emohua Campus of the Rivers State University in Emohua Local Government Area, last Monday.
Wike said what should be of more concern should be how more funds can be committed to existing universities, so that they can offer the needed holistic educational training in the production of requisite man power for the country.
“Why I cannot build more universities is not because I don’t have where to build (site) them. But it is to have the money to fund the universities. The ones we have, we have not been able to fund them.
“If I want to play politics, I can say I want to start University of Engineering. It is easy to say that, but to bring it down to what is truly expected of a university of engineering; to employ lecturers, to provide infrastructure, and the equipment that are required for modern engineering is not an easy thing.”
Wike said, he is mindful of the dreams of the founding fathers of the state university that the institution should drive education related development from designated council areas in the state.
He stated that in addition to Etche, Ahoada and Emohua Campuses of the university, the government has decided to site another campus in Ogoniland.
“Because I believe in the dream of the founding fathers of this university, there’ll be another campus in Ogoni. I have already told the Pro-Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor of the university about it.
“I had earlier given out the premises of the Model Secondary School, Saakpenwa to the Kenule Benson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic in Bori. But the Chairman of the Governing Council of that institution said they don’t think they can use it.
“We can’t allow the structures to remain like that. So, a campus of the university will move in there immediately.
“Bori area is now like a town. By the time the Saakpenwa-Bori-Kono road is completed, nobody will need to stay in Port Harcourt to go to work in Bori anymore.”
Performing the flag-off, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ndowa Lale noted the enormous investment in education, undertaken by Governor Wike, and he hinted that the governor is using it to achieve holistic development of the state.
According to him, multiple campuses of a university promote increase carrying capacity for the institution, improve revenue and eventually facilitate development of the host communities.
In his remarks, Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule, said the institution is overwhelmed with the level of support received from Wike, which has helped them to improve their teaching and research capacities.
He stated that 40 years after the university was established, Wike has been able to actualise the dream of the founding fathers that the institution to have multiple campuses spread across the street.
“It will be recalled that at the inception of the university in 1980, it was intended to have campuses in several parts of the state. The aim was to use the various campuses to promote the development of all parts of Rivers state. After over forty years that vision has now been actualised by our courageous, bold and dynamic governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike.”
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Kaniye Ebeku, lauded the governor for taking the bold step to actualise the dreams of the founders of the State university.
The Pro-Chancellor of the institution, Hon. Justice Iche Ndu, commended Governor Wike for releasing money for the establishment of the campus and transferring the right of the land from Government Secondary school Emohua to the Rivers State University.
The director of physical planning, Rivers State University, Ben Woke, said the governor has given approval for the construction and furnishing of hostel blocks, administrative building that will have about 48 offices, 21 lecture halls and theatres in campus.
Others are, the construction and furnishing of a mini shopping centre, one health centre, a maintenance building, a guest house, construction of internal roads, connection of the campus to national grid, provision of street light.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has tasked troops of Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD to dominate the battlespace and intensify offensive operations against kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in the North Central region.
Shaibu gave the directive yesterday during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters, Joint Task Force North Central (JTF-NC), at Sobi Barracks, Ilorin.
This is contained in a statement by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col. Appolonia Anele, in Abuja, yesterday.
Shaibu said the Nigerian Army would remain resolute in its constitutional responsibility of safeguarding lives and property, stressing that troops must sustain pressure to decisively deny criminal elements freedom of action.
He assured personnel of continued deployment of combat enablers and operational resources to enhance clearance operations and dismantle criminal hideouts across Kwara and Niger states.
The COAS reaffirmed his commitment to troop welfare, noting that improved welfare remained critical to sustaining morale, operational effectiveness and combat readiness.
He urged the troops to remain disciplined, professional and loyal to the Constitution and the democratically elected government.
Earlier, the Theatre Commander, JTF-NC Operation SAVANNAH SHIELD, Maj.-Gen. Yakubu Yahaya, commended the COAS for his strategic leadership and support.
Yahaya assured that troops would remain committed and steadfast in restoring peace and stability in the region.
The Nigerian Navy says it is expanding training and infrastructure to address emerging security threats and strengthen operational efficiency across formations and units nationwide.
The Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Idi Abbas, spoke during the inauguration of projects at the Nigerian Navy Basic Training School (NNBTS) in Onne, Rivers as part of activities marking the Nigerian Navy’s 70th anniversary.
Abbas, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding, Naval Training Command (NAVTRAC), Rear Adm. Ebiobowei Zipele, said the projects reflected significant progress made by the navy since its establishment in 1956 from the British Royal Navy.
“Training and infrastructure have improved significantly to meet contemporary security challenges and fulfil the navy’s constitutional responsibilities.”
According to him, the anniversary provides the navy an opportunity to reflect on its achievements and contributions over the past seven decades.
Projects inaugurated included a remodelled female trainees’ hostel accommodating more than 500 occupants and an expanded golf course upgraded from one to nine holes.
Others were the NNBTS fuel dump, Chief Boatswain’s Mate House, renovated pharmacy department and a new theatre block at the Naval Medical Centre, Onne.
Abbas described the new theatre as a major milestone for the navy’s medical services.
“Previously, injured personnel requiring surgeries were referred outside the facility.
“With this theatre, surgeries can now be conducted within the base.’’
He added that a 30KVA inverter had also been installed to guarantee uninterrupted electricity supply at the training school.
The naval chief assured officers, ratings and trainees that the navy leadership remained committed to their welfare and wellbeing.
“These infrastructure upgrades show the commitment of the Chief of Naval Staff to addressing operational and welfare challenges promptly,” he said.
In addition, NAVTRAC distributed educational materials to pupils of Community Primary Schools One and Two, Ogale, in Ebubu-Eleme area of Rivers.
Items distributed included exercise books, school bags and other writing materials as part of the navy’s civil-military engagement initiative.
Zipele said the outreach was designed to strengthen relations between the navy and host communities while supporting children’s education.
“Education remains critical to national growth and youth empowerment. Some of these pupils may eventually serve in the Nigerian Navy,” he said.
He noted that the initiative demonstrated the navy’s commitment to educational development, peace, security and sustainable community relations.
Zipele urged the pupils to remain disciplined, focused and committed to their studies while embracing patriotism, integrity and hard work.
He thanked the Ebubu community for its continued support for the naval training command headquarters and the navy.
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