News
Five Prisoners Enrol For PhD Programmes In NOUN …As 72 Kuje Inmates Matriculate
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), yesterday, matriculated 72 inmates of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Kuje Medium Security Custodial Centre, Abuja to study various courses.
This is as five prisoners have enrolled for PhD programmes in the institution.
The Vice Chancellor, NOUN, Prof. Olufemi Peters, who disclosed this during the matriculation ceremony, urged the students to make use of their study materials judiciously.
The VC, who was represented by the National Coordinator, Special Studies, NOUN, Mrs. Modupe Adesina, described the collaboration between NOUN and NCoS as very smooth.
According to him, NOUN remains the largest in Africa, and the only accredited single mode Open and Distance Learning Institution in Nigeria.
“We have 12 study centres that are for inmates. We have 970 students from Correctional centres nationwide and we have graduated 42 inmates across the nation since 2012.
“We have five people enrolled for PhD programmes and still counting. We produced the best graduating students in 2014 in Enugu.
“And when you look at their results, they have been very studious, very eager to graduate with the best result,” he said.
Peters urged the public to encourage the Federal Government by employing the graduated inmates in the society to help them keep up with their lives outside the correctional centres.
He said the efforts of the government should be embraced as the inmates were fully sponsored to acquire the certificates from the university.
“The efforts of the government and the university should be encouraged. This is not a joke.
“The environment and society at large should embrace students coming from NOUN, particularly inmates from correctional centres.
“If they are out, that means they have most likely been reformed. Education goes a lot to open their mind and make them what the society requires.
“A lot of them are gifted, they have gone beyond going to school, they have acquired several skills and not in any way lesser than anyone out there,” he said.
The VC expressed the determination of the university toward ensuring that the newly admitted students were provided with excellent learning environment with a view to making their study rewarding and satisfactory.
He urged them to desist from all forms of anomalies such as cultism, sexual harassment, among others, that exist in the conventional university, saying that NOUN was not a regular university.
The FCT Controller, NCoS, Ahmed Musa, said the NCoS had continued to deliver on this mandate through a plethora of academic and vocational skills acquisition, as well as psycho-social support programmes for inmates.
Musa said the significance of the occasion could not be overemphasised as it underscored the very core of the mandate of the NCoS.
According to him, it is worthy of note that changing the behaviour and orientation of persons in conflict with the law and putting them on the right path is no mean task.
“The Kuje Custodial Centre has always been outstanding in academic exploits.
“Since the command embraced education as a foremost means of reformation in 2010, the centre has recorded over 850 students who have sat for their WAEC and NECO exams.
“Over 750 inmates passing outstandingly with over five credits, which include Maths and English.
“With the advent of the National Open University, the centre has registered over 100 students and also graduated about 10 BSc and one Master’s degree student,” he said.
Musa urged the matriculating students as well as the returning students not to let the service down and to be outstanding in their chosen academic fields.
He noted that the command had also extended this opportunity to the Suleja Custodial Centre, adding that the centre had about 32 inmates who were presently sitting for their WAEC and NECO exams.
“I, therefore, implore all those matriculating today and, indeed, other inmates, to take advantage of this golden opportunity to add value to their lives.
“Like I always say, incarceration is not the end of one’s life you can gain the time while you serve the term,” he advised.
The Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr. Francis Enobore, urged the matriculating students to focus on their studies to enable them go farther in life.
“I also want to assure you all that the necessary support you need will be duly provided by the service,” he said.
News
PDP Opobo/Nkoro Hails Fubara On Peace, Projects
Stakeholders of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Opobo/ Nkoro Local Government Area of Rivers State have commended the state Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara for his disposition that has fostered peace in the State.
Rising from an expanded stakeholders meeting last Saturday in Opobo Town, the body in an eight-point communique signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benneth Daminabo, Chairman of Council, Rt. Hon. Enyiada Cookey-Gam and LG party Chairman, Warisenibo Godwin Pepple commended the governor for linking Opobo/Nkoro LGA to the national grid.
In addition, it lauded the effort of the governor in pursuing the 50.15 kilometre Dual Carriage Ring Road, Elelenwo internal road, Aleto-Ebubu-Eteo Road in Eleme and Andoni Road projects.
Despite the distractions, the stakeholders said they were impressed that the governor had equally done projects in health-the unveiling of Prof. Kelsey Harrison Hospital, Agric projects at Tai and Oyigbo and improving welfare of civil servants.
In their words, “members reaffirmed their unalloyed loyalty and implicit confidence in his administration.”
Condemning the unfriendly and discourteous utterances of Senate President, Godswill Akpabio and Tony Okocha in different fora in the State, the forum urged the duo to desist from such action in order not to heat up the polity.
The forum pledged to stand by the governor through, “thick and thin”, the stakeholders acknowledged the contributions of women, who through prayers for the government has impacted positively in the direction and posture of the governor.
Finally, the forum unanimously expressed gratitude to the Simplified Movement and other bodies that have thrown their weight behind the governor to ensure that the administration is stable and successful.
By: Kevin Nengia
News
‘Rivers People Are Now Breathing Fresh Air Under Fubara’
Aformer Caretaker Committee Chairman of Abua/Odual Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Elamo Arogu, says under Governor Siminalayi Fubara, the people of the State are now breathing fresh air.
Hon Arogu said Governor Fubara has given Rivers people hope, considering the impactful and people-oriented projects being carried out by his administration.
The former CTC chairman made the assertion during the Simplified Movement’s thanksgiving service and rally held in honour of Rivers State chief executive last Friday in Abua .
Arogu said under Governor Fubara, the Abua/Odual people have the confidence that the dividends of democracy will definitely get to them.
He noted that the Governor has the strong will to change the narrative in Rivers State, being the reason he is receiving massive support across the State.
“The people of Abua/Odual are strongly behind him. Our doors ate open for everyone because there is government in place to attend to the needs of the people. I believe that he will develop Abua/Odual and other Rivers council areas, hence, the massive support. This government is business- oriented and we are ready to encourage him succeed and invest in our land. The issue of a bank; road networks and other necessities of life bordering on development as demanded by the people will be considered by Governor Fubara”, he said.
He called on the opposition to team up with Governor Fubara to build a stronger, united and viable Rivers State.
He maintained that ward nine under his leadership is Simplified.
News
Rivers State University Cooperative Society Elects New Leaders
The United Port Harcourt Peoples Cooperative Investment & Credit Society Limited, Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, has elected new leaders to pilot the affairs of the cooperative for the next two years.
They are Pastor Dr. Barine Aeba (President); Dr. Gift N. Nkweke (Vice-President), Dr. Kenneth Chima Adiele (General Secretary), Victor G. Banigo (Assistant General Secretary),
Rose Yeyeda Nwosu (Treasurer), Adaku Nwogu (Financial Secretary) and Stella Ereba (Public Relations Officer).
Inaugurating the new Management Committee after a keenly contested election held recently at the University Amphitheatre, the Director of Cooperatives in Rivers State, Dr. Elizabeth Chidi-Wike, congratulated the seven-member Executive for emerging winners at the election, charging them to uphold the bye laws of the Cooperative Society and hold regular congress meetings.
Dr. Chidi-Wike used the forum to commend the outgone Management Committee for reviving the Cooperative and placing it on an enviable pedestrial.
In her remarks, the Acting Registrar of the University, Mrs. Ibimonia Sotonye Harry applauded Cooperative members for keeping faith with the Cooperative Society, stressing that the goal of the society in helping members save for retirement cannot be over emphasised.
In his valedictory speech, the outgone President, Dr. Mie-Idala Jones Amachree expressed gratitude to God for the successful completion of his four-year tenure, thanking his fellow Management Committee members who gave him the needed support that transformed the Cooperative Society.
In his acceptance address, the President, Pastor (Dr.) Barine Aeba thanked the university management for providing the enabling environment for the peaceful conduct of the election, pledging that he will fulfill all his campaign promises.
A total of 165 Cooperative members participated in the electoral exercise which was conducted by an Electoral Committee led by Engr. (Dr.) Joseph D. Enoch.
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