Education
School Tasks Nigerian Leaders On Corruption
A Senior Lecturer at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof Donald Ibama Hamilton, has called on leaders in the country to rise up to against corruption, weak rule of laws, among other challenges confronting the growth and development of the nation.
Prof. Hamilton made the call while delivering his inaugural lecture at the 77th inaugural lectures organised by the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, with the topic: ‘Strategy Making: Rocket Science’ with a charge for Nigeria leaders, relevant stakeholders to wake-up and fight corruption so as to address the high level of corruption index in the country.
Hamilton, who is a Professor in Business Policy and Strategy, further stated that there were well built virtual rockets that are scattered all over the place without a focused target to it’s destination.
“We have well built rockets littering everywhere because they are not fired through the proper destination. When you build a rocket, you have to have a destination for it to go, but if you build a rocket and you want to feel the rocket, that rocket will not get there as a result of corruption, weak rule of laws, among other challenges bedeviling the country, otherwise we are all doomed.
Citing a broken map of Nigeria, where the virtual rocket is sitting right on the broken space on the ground, he called on Nigerian leaders to fix the launch pad, the structure, saying: “There must be a fit between strategy and structure, adding that since the fit is not there, as such no matter how hard you try, the virtual rocket will not fly because it is sitting on the ground.
He described double taxation as a minor challenge confronting the country that can easily be sorted out by legislation.
On the issue of Managers and abuse of power, he explained that those who have power wished they have more as one sees everything good about it, but if power is used against such a person, he sees power as evil.
He said: “ As a husband you must exercise authority over your family, but in doing that your wife may feel you are too authoritative, but that does not mean that you shouldn’t at some points listen to what she is saying’’.
“In fact the greatest craving of a human being is to be respected no matter how small the person is, otherwise the person may not be able to do he or her job well. Afterall cleaner today can become a manager over the boss tomorrow,” the Prof added.
Hamilton described leaders as humble people, they are servants, saying: “Most times some leaders mistaken humility to bringing themselves down to the level of subordinate no, thinking that way is arrogance not humility. Why should you think you are better than anybody just because you are the manager and the person is your subordinate? The role can reverse, so we need to understand that.”
On his part, the Chairman Senate Lectures Committee, Prof Ikem Eweozor in his vote of thanks, stated that strategy making is like launching a virtual rocket, while commending the erudite Inaugural Lecturer for the interesting lecture delivery.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the RSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nlerum Okogbule stated that an inaugural lecture is an important occasion for those in academics, adding that it is an opportunity for them to showcase to the world the research that they have been able to carried out over the years as professors in the university.
He stressed that it is also an opportunity for them to showcase what they have done to better not just to the university, but also to the outside world, such as the policy makers, those in government and industries as well as been able to proffer solutions on how best to improve on the society that would in turn promote the work done by the academics in the university.
“It is also an opportunity for the professor to tell the world what he has been doing and the contributions he had made to the development of society at large. More importantly when we have a number of challenges as a nation, we need to refer to Professors to be able to see whether we can find any solution to solve some of those challenges.
“Our last inaugural lecture for example, dealt with environmental pollution, which is a problem, challenge to us, not only in the Niger Delta as every day you see illegal refineries cropping up here and there,” the VC added.
The university don remarked that it is important that whenever there is an invitation for an occasion such as this, members of the institution, well meaning individuals, lovers of education should honour such invitation, so as to appreciate the work that they are doing at the university, adding that they do not only teach, but carried out research for the benefit of the society and country at large.
Okogbule welcomed dignitaries present to the 77th Inaugural Lecture of the university, while specially commending members of the 13th governing council the university for always maintaining the tempo expected by the institution.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Covenant University (CU) has, for the second time, been rated as the best university in Nigeria.
According to Times Higher Education‘s 2024 rating, Covenant Unirersity, as a growing, dynamic vision-driven university, founded on a Christian mission ethos and committed to pioneering excellence at the cutting edge of learning, is among the top 1,000 universities in the world.
The 2024 ranking includes 1,906 universities across 108 countries and regions. The Ranking Website indicates that the grading was compiled based on their new World University Ranking (WUR) 3.0 methodology which includes 18 carefully calibrated performance indicators that measure an institution’s performance across five areas: teaching, research environment, research quality, industry, and international outlook.
Analysis of the latest ranking on Thursday showed that the university based in Ota, Ogun State, is following on the ranking by the University of Ibadan (UI) as the second-best in the country, with the Federal University of Technology, Akure clinching the third position.
Currently ranked 801st university in the world, CU first gained prominence in 2018 after it emerged as the best university in Nigeria and the sixth-best university overall.
The ranking webpage explained that the site is trusted worldwide by students, teachers, governments, and industry experts, adding that the 2024 league table reveals how the global higher education landscape is shifting.
It stated thus; “This year’s ranking analysed more than 134 million citations across 16.5 million research publications and included survey responses from 68,402 scholars globally. Overall, we collected 411,789 data points from more than 2,673 institutions that submitted data”.
Meanwhile, also captured on the list of universities with the top rating in Nigeria are the University of Ilorin, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Afe Babalola University, and the University of Benin.
Others include the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Lagos State University, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Port Harcourt.
Available statistics showed that of the 15 top universities in the country, nine are located in the South West region, two in the South-South region, two in the South East region, one in the North Central zone, and one in the North West zone. Interestingly, the North-East zone was conspicuously missing from the list.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) have raised an alarm over fake sites for the ongoing printing of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Notification Slip which contains vital information such as the date, venue, and time of candidates’ examinations.
In a joint briefing by the NPF and JAMB recently in Abuja, candidates are enjoined to patronise only the approved sites by the JAMB, so as not be defrauded.
The Force Spokesman, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who signed a press release on behalf of the two Government agencies said: “The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) hereby bring to the attention of the public the ongoing printing of the 2024 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Notification Slip which contains vital information such as the date, venue, and time of candidates’ examinations.
“Unfortunately, the emergence of several fake websites created by unscrupulous individuals with the intention of misleading candidates has been observed necessitating this joint press briefing.
“These fake sites are designed to deceive innocent candidates into providing personal details such as registration numbers, email addresses, and phone numbers. These details are then exploited for malicious purposes.
“Both JAMB and the Nigeria Police Force condemn these fraudulent activities and hereby reiterate the readiness to safeguard the interests of candidates and maintain the integrity of the examination process.
“We urge parents, guardians, and all stakeholders to ensure that candidates print their UTME Notification Slips only from the Board’s approved website: www.jamb.gov.ng. Candidates can print their slips from the comfort of their homes or visit any of the over 700 accredited Computer-Based Test (CBT) centres nationwide.
“It is important to note that we are familiar with the tactics employed by these fraudsters, especially during the annual assessment and admission exercises. We are actively sensitizing candidates and the public about these deceptive practices.
“Any candidate who visits these fake sites will definitely have unreliable information and thereby miss out in the forthcoming exams.’’
“Candidates are advised to print their UTME Notification Slips before Friday, 19th April, 2024, to access vital information about their examinations. Any website other than www.jamb.gov.ng offering UTME slip printing services is fake and designed to defraud candidates. Candidates should also beware of sites offering ‘live’ questions and answers, as they are false and deceptive, and accessing such materials is prohibited.
“The 2024 UTME is scheduled to commence on Friday, 19th April, and end on Monday, 29th April, 2024. We call on parents, guardians, and the general public to join hands in fostering a culture of integrity and compliance with established guidelines. Together, we can nurture a generation of upright and law-abiding leaders by discouraging fraudulent practices and desperation.
“Furthermore, JAMB is partnering with the Nigeria Police Force National Cyber Crime Centre (NPF-NCCC) to address online scam-related issues seamlessly. We assure candidates and the public of our firm dedication to ensuring a fair and transparent examination process.
“In addition, the Inspector General of Police has ordered the NPF-NCCC to go after scammers and fraudsters who engage in cyber related crimes and create phishing sites/portals, and cause them to face the full wrath of the law”.
The authorities of the Rivers State University (RSU),Nkpolu Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt says it will commence the First semester examinations.
This was contained in a statement signed by the Acting Registrar of the university, Mrs. I. B. S. Harry and made available to Dean’s and Heads of Departments, adding that the the examinations were earlier shifted to begin today from its initial date of last Monday to enable students who were yet to complete their registration and pay the necessary approved fees and give all students equal opportunity to participate in the examinations.
The statement reads “This is to inform all staff and students of the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, that the First Semester Examination for the 2023/2024 academic session earlier scheduled to commence on Monday, 8th April, 2024, has been shifted to Monday, 15th April, 2024.”
“The change in date of the Examination is to enable students who are yet to pay stipulated fees/ charges and complete their course registration for the First Semester, to do so.”
All students in this category are advised to utilise the period to make necessary fee payments as well as course registration.”
By: Akujobi Amadi
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