Education
Varsity Reduces School Fees By 33%
The Vice Chancellor, Godfrey Okoye University, Enugu, Prof. Christian Anieke, has announced a 33 per cent reduction in school fees of students in the Faculty of Arts of the institution.
Anieke also announced the expansion of the scholarship programme of the university to accommodate five students per session.
The vice chancellor made the announcement on Friday in Enugu while briefing newsmen on the commencement of admissions into the institution’s academic programmes for the 2021/2022 academic session.
The Tide source reports that the university is owned and managed by the Enugu Diocese of the Catholic Church.
The vice chancellor, who is also a cleric, said that the fee reduction was also aimed at assisting indigent students and their families, considering the present economic situation in the country.
He said that the students in the affected faculty would now pay N241, 200 instead of N350, 000 paid in the 2020/2021 school year.
Anieke said that the fees covered hostel accommodation, water and electricity supplies as well as security and others.
“I do not know of any institution in this country that is talking about reduction of fees at a time when things are so expensive.
“The quality of our university is similar to that of first generation private universities and even better in some courses. If we charge based on our quality, our fees will be higher.
“We are doing this with the hope that God will be with us,” he said.
Anieke said that the university as part of its commitment to support indigent students had broadened its scholarship programme.
According to him, scholarships will be given to five students that will desire to study music in the university.
The vice chancellor said that more graduate and undergraduate programmes had been introduced in the university.
He listed the programmes to include PhD in Mathematics Education (Measurement and Evaluation), PhD in Accounting, PhD in Political Science, PhD in Microbiology and MA/PhD in English and Literary Studies.
Others are MSc in Mass Communication, MEd Biology MEd Physics and MEd Chemistry.
He said that the university was also playing host to the Scholar Centre for Commerce and Industry in the South-East.
According to him, the centre will be responsible for providing training and coordinating all activities in commerce and industry, including registration of businesses in the region.
Anieke said that the university was striving for a remarkable improvement on the welfare and training of the 600 students that were admitted into its programmes during the 2020/2021 academic session.
“Our university has done well and I believe that this flag-off is going to be a conversion of more students,” Anieke 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.