Education

UNILAG Don Emerges Winner Of Rahamon Bello Award

Published

4 years ago

January 3, 2022

A lecturer in the Department of History, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Dr. Ajiola Felix, has emerged winner of Rahamon Bello Award for Best PhD Thesis in African studies.
The award-winning thesis is titled “Cocoa production and rural development in Idanre, Southwestern Nigeria, 1900-1996”. It was written under the supervision of Prof Olutayo Adesina in fulfilment of Ajiola’s doctorate degree in History at the University of Ibadan. A cash prize of $1,000 was presented to him at the grand ceremony.
The event was organised by The Institute of African and Diaspora Studies (IADS) in UNILAG.
He was unanimously selected as the overall winner among 24 applicants. The selection process was independently carried out by three renowned academics from United Kingdom, Kenya and Nigeria.
Dr. Joseph Kunnuji, a Post-doctoral Fellow at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, emerged second with a PhD Thesis in Ethnomusicology, titled, “A chronicle of cultural transformation: Ethnography of Badagry Ogu musical practices,” supervised by Prof. Sylvia Brainders, at the University of Cape Town, South Africa.
Dr. Louis Kusi Frimpong, a lecturer at the University of Environment and Sustainable Development, Somanya, Ghana, came third with PhD Thesis in Geography and Resource Development, titled, “Fear of crime in the Sekondi-Takoradi metropolis exploring the role of the built environment and community social organisation,” supervised by Prof. Martin Oteng-Ababio, Prof. Charles Wrangley-Asante and Prof. George Owusu at the University of Ghana, Legon.
Also given special recognition for his work was Dr. Mark Nartey of Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, whose PhD thesis was on “Discourse and political myth-making: A critical discourse study of Nkrumaism.”
IADS Director, Prof Muyiwa Falaiye, in his remarks, said the ‘initiative was aimed at encouraging and appreciating intellectuals, whose doctoral theses address African and diaspora issues while promoting intellectual and multi-disciplinary research works in African Studies.
He added that the overriding goal of the institute is to provide a platform for all academics in Nigeria, Africa and the diaspora to discuss and proffer solutions to problems of the people.

Education

School Resumption:Rivers begins monitoring of compliance to academics standards

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

As Secondary and primary schools in Rivers state ,including public and private owned resumes for the first term 2025/2026 academic session today after a one month vacation at the end of the third term 2024/2025 academic session .,the state ministry of education said quality assurance supervisors will resume school visitations and monitoring immediately.

The state ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement signed by the permanent secretary ,

Dr. (Mrs.) Ndidi Chikanele Utchay and made available to the tide ,the statement stated that staffs of department of quality assurance services (SEQAS) in the ministry and it’s agencies will commence immediate routein assessment visitations to all schools in the state, to ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards .

The statement reads thus:

“This is to notify all public and private schools operating in Rivers State that the State Education Quality Assurance Services (SEQAS) will commence follow-through and routine assessments immediately, upon resumption of the 2025/2026 academic session. These assessments are designed to:

Ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards.”

“Evaluate the Quality of Teaching and Learning,

Review Curriculum Implementation and Teaching Methods,

Assess Infrastructure and Learning Environment, and

Promote Students Welfare and Overall School Improvement.”

“Consequently, all Public and Private Schools are by this announcement advised to make all necessary preparations and ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements. “

The statement also said applications for School approvals and upgrades should be submitted directly to the office of the Permanent Secretary, as negotiations with individuals and agents will no longer be tolerated.

“The state Ministry of Education appreciates your continuous co-operation and commitments to sustaining high educational standards in our dear State.”the statement stated.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

University of Port Harcourt elevates five professor’s on communication and public relations

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Governing Council of University of port Harcourt in Rivers state has appointed

five new Professors of Communication and Media Studies of the institution.

This was contained in a Facebook handle of the public relations officer of the university,Dr Sammy Kpenu disclosed that those elevated to the ranks of professor include erudite and world-class Prof. Ntiense James Usua , promoted to professor of Broadcasting,

Prof. Faustina Ginikanwa Nwachukwu – Strategic Communication and Advertising, and

Prof. Benedict Obiora Agbo – Public Relations and Advertising.

Others are,Prof. Sunny C.J. Mbazie , Public Relations and Advertising, while

Prof. Clement Afamefuna Asadu ,was appointed professor of Behaviour and Social Change Communication, of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Our academic activities are AI driven – VC ….declares I’ntl Conf on education

Published

1 week ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has declared that all activities in the University are AI-driven, stressing the need to prepare the future workforce through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education as a pathway to achieving sustainable development.

He made this remark while declaring open the 4th Annual International Conference of the Department of Science Education, held from Wednesday,at the Faculty of Education Auditorium.

The vice chancellor commended the department for choosing a theme that aligns with his vision for the University and expressed optimism that the conference would produce a communiqué with clear strategies for the future.

Also speaking,the Head of Department, Science Education, Dr. Dorathy Ekineh, stated that the convergence of STEM Education, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Sustainable Development is crucial in shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem solvers.

According to her, the conference provides an opportunity to explore, discuss, and collaborate on strategies to equip the workforce with the skills required to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.

Earlier In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Isaac N. Dokubo, described the conference as timely, noting that the world is rapidly embracing AI in all sectors.

He explained that the primary aim of the conference is to examine how AI and STEM Education can prepare tomorrow’s workforce to compete effectively with their counterparts globally.

Delivering the keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Cheta Williams, stated that the workforce of the future will thrive at the intersection of STEM, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainability.

“If we align our education systems, innovations, and ethical compass, we will not just prepare for the future, we will shape it,” he stated .

He averred that the workforce of tomorrow is already being built today in classrooms, universities, innovation hubs, and government boardrooms,adding that the future is not something to wait for, but something to design and build together.

Also presenting a paper titled “STEM Education and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Future”, Prof. Keziah A. Achuonye from the Faculty of Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, highlighted the vital role of STEM in driving resilience and sustainable growth.

By: Akujobi Amadi