Rivers
VC Commits To Positioning IAUE As Top Institution
Acting Vice Cahncellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, says he is committed to positioning the institution among the best in Nigeria and Africa.
Making this disclosure at a media briefing as part of events to herald the university’s 39th and 40th convocation this weekend, he said achieving such feat would be the best way to appreciate the confidence reposed in him by the State Governor, Nyesom Wike.
“The best way I can repay His Excellency’s benevolence and confidence in me is to work very hard to position IAUE among the very best tertary institutions in Nigeria and Africa”, he said.
Towards fulfillment of this stance, the Professor of Economics narrated some outstanding achievements recorded since his assumption of office on November 18, 2021.
The first among the numerous achievements was to ensure a convenient and suitable studying environment for students, beginning with a review of undergraduate and graduate programs of the university to “bring them in tandem with what obtains in other Nigerian universities and in line with global best practice”.
Next was the establishment of “a full-fledged Faculty of Agriculture”, which brought the total number of Faculties in the university to seven.
“Nobody can underestimate the importance of a Faculty of Agriculture in a State where much of our food supply comes from outside.
“As a university, we have a duty to help change this unacceptable narrative within the shortest possible time. We are putting everything necessary in place for the emergent Faculty of Agriculture to admit its pioneer students”, he stated.
The IAUE boss also instituted a review of non-statutory charges and school fees paid by all categories of students, and initiating payment of school fees in two instalments to “reflect the realities of the prevailing economic situation”, and ensured that 21 programmes of the institution get five years full accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
Other achievements include: provision of classroom furniture, reactivation broken-down electricity generating sets and restoration of damaged power lines at the Ndele campus, while also commencing monthly fumigation of classrooms, offices, and residential areas in the three campuses.
To secure the university’s land from further encroachment, he rebuilt damaged fences at Rumuolumeni and Ndele campuses, expanded the estate department and provided more facilities for work, and renovated students’ hostels at the main campus.
Offices were furnished with necessary equipment to make the workplace comfortable for more efficient service, three standard kitchens were built where students could prepare their meals to discourage cooking in the hostels and eating sub-standard food prepared by vendors, and investing more in Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to boost the exploration of opportunities in the growing digital economy by staff and students.
This, he said, will “make the high-impact research papers of lecturers in the university globally accessible”, and also “bridge the digital divide between the university and the rest of the world, by enhancing the institution’s visibility, ranking, and competitiveness in this age of knowledge globalisation”.
A total of 3,796 graduates would be admitted into postgraduate degrees, while 3,751 would b be awarded degrees at the undergraduate level.
The award of First Degrees and prizes will hold today, while admission of candidates into various categories of Higher Degrees will hold tomorrow, both at the University’s Auditorium.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
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Rivers
Rivers Judiciary Denies Issuing Court Order Stopping SOLAD from Swearing in RSCSC Members
The Rivers State Judiciary has denied a media report claiming that Justice Frank Onyiri of the State High Court issued an injunction order restraining the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), from inaugurating the newly appointed members of the Rivers State Civil Service Commission (RSCSC).
In a statement issued by the Deputy Chief Registrar in charge of litigation at the High Court, Menenen Poromon (Esq), the state Judiciary disassociated itself from the report, describing it as malicious and fabricated.
The statement emphasized that the report was a falsehood and a misrepresentation of what transpeared in the court.
Poromon clarified that no such order was issued by Justice Onyiri or any other judge of the High Court of the state and urged the public to disregard the information, as it lacked any iota of truth.
The statement however advised the public to verify any information concerning the state Judiciary directly from the office of the Chief Registrar, High Court of the State, to avoid spreading of misinformation.