News
Universities Key To National Development -HOS …Commends Wike’s Funding Of Higher Education
Head of Service Rivers State, Barrister Rufus Godwins, has identified universities as key to national planning and development.
Godwins made this remark while delivering a lecture at the 39th and 40th convocation of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education(IAUE) on, “Nigerian Universities and the Challenges of National Development”, Tuesday in Port Harcourt.
He said the failure of government to in academics in the national planning scheme gave birth to the failure of those development blueprints.
He said that even with the current ninth development plan, the making and implementation of the plan has been wobbly, as academics were sidelined in the process.
He warned that the country would not move forward if it continues to emasculate the intelligentsia and eggheads in the planning of policies and programmes.
In his words, “no nation can be greater than its universities, or human resource produced by the universities.
Godwins blamed the military government for the brain drain, poor welfare and funding bedeviling the nation-ivory towers coupled with the deliberate posture of previous administrations relegate education to the background.
While commending Nigerian universities for producing world class products like Prof Soyinka, Chike Obi, Chinua Achebe, Kunle Olotokun, and Prof. Omowunmi Sadik, he stressed that universities should be given autonomy such that they can play the vital role of boosting knowledge and research.
Godwins also recommended the inclusion of universities as major stakeholders with advisory and implementation responsibilities as a way to drive policy formulation and national development.
He pointed out that the Nyesom Wike administration in the state has given adequate attention and funding to tertiary institutions, hence the reason why university lecturers are not on strike and there is smooth academic activities.
On his part, Acting Vice Chancellor of IAUE, Prof Okechukwu Onuchuku, said the lecture was apt at a time the country is in dire need of economic rejuvenation.
Onuchuku emphasized that the country’s greatness can only be utilized when intellectuals are involved in the making of policies and programmes.
The acting vice chancellor maintained that research and knowledge are strong ingredients to move the nation forward.
By: Kevin Nengia
Nigeria’s Quadri Aruna has overtaken Egypt’s Omar Assar to become Africa’s highest-ranked player in the world, now sitting at 18th in the week 12 ranking released on Tuesday.
Aruna moved up from 19th place in week 11 to 18th in the latest ranking, while Assar dropped from 17th to 19th.
Denmark’s Jonathan Groth took over Assar’s 17th place, moving up from 18th.
Despite finishing as runner-up at the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup, Aruna’s impressive performances at the WTT tournaments this year have boosted his ranking.
Aruna remains the only African male player to have reached the semi-finals of the WTT Contender Doha, repeating his 2023 feat earlier this year in January.
This achievement has propelled him ahead of Assar, who beat him to become the champion of the 2025 ITTF Africa Cup.
Aruna’s next tournament is the WTT Contender Chennai which serves off in India from March 23 to 20.
In the women’s singles, Egypt’s Hana Goda maintained her top spot in Africa, moving up one place to 26th in the week 12 ITTF ranking. Her compatriot, Dina Meshref, remained static at 33rd, holding her position as the second-best-ranked female player in Africa.
China’s Wang Chuqin retained his position as the second-best player globally, behind his compatriot Lin Shidong, who continues to hold the top spot. Japanese superstar Tomokazu Harimoto dethroned China’s Liang Jingkun as the third-best player in the world after his semifinal finish in Chongqing.
In the women’s ranking, the top five remained unchanged, with China’s Sun Yingsha holding onto her top spot after retaining her WTT Champions Chongqing title.
Mr Mike Okiro, former Inspector-General of Police( I-G), has called on warring factions in the Rivers crisis to lay down their arms and engage in peaceful dialogue to find a lasting solution that benefits all parties.
This is contained in a statement on Thursday in Abuja, where Okiro expressed concern about the political unrest that plagued the state for nearly two years.
The Tide source reports that President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday declared a six-month state of emergency in Rivers following persistent crisis there.
Tinubu had earlier presided over a high-level emergency meeting involving principal officers of the National Assembly and top security chiefs at the Presidential Villa, Abuja over the River crisis.
This followed the political standoff in Rivers, which raised tensions, leading to fears of instability in the state.
The meeting also followed a pipeline explosion that rocked the Trans Niger Pipeline in Bodo Community in Gokana Local Government Area of Rivers.
The blast, which occurred late on Monday near the Bodo-Bonny Road, further heightened concerns over security and stability in the oil-rich region.
Declaring the state of emergency in a broadcast on national television afterwards, the president said the decision had become compelling after the Governor and his Deputy failed to seek presidential intervention.
Meanwhile, the former I-G urged the parties to exercise caution and respect human rights.
Okiro said “I call on all warring factions to lay down their arms and engage in peaceful dialogue to find a resolution that will benefit all the parties.”
He highlighted the need for unity, dialogue and respect for human rights to overcome the current crisis in the area.
He recalled his successful efforts in spearheading the amnesty programme for the Niger Delta region in 2009, which brought peace to the area after years of militancy.
He emphasised the importance of working together as a community to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens during challenging times.
He called for a peaceful and sustainable solution that upholds the principles of democracy and respects the rights of all individuals.
Okiro said he is ready to work with other elders and stakeholders in the state to find a lasting solution to the crisis.
“Just over two weeks ago, I was about to form a committee of elders and stakeholders in Rivers to address this political impasse,” he said.
He, however, urged all parties involved to comply with directives from the President and work toward peaceful resolution of the issues at stake.
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