Education

TVET Panacea To National Dev -Experts

Published

4 years ago

December 12, 2022

Some experts have described Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) as panacea to the social, political and economic challenges of any human society.
They made the call during the 6th Annual Conference of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, with the theme: Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET): A Panacea To Electoral Malpractice In Nigeria, held last Thursday in Port Harcourt.
Speaking, the Keynote speaker, a Professor in the Department of Industrial Technical Education, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Prof. Vincent Eze Onweh, stressed that one thing that can never be taken away from TVET is its high disposition to surmounting societal challenges be it political, economic social and technological, among others.
There is a growing consensus among developing nations on the need to repositioning TVET as a strategic tool for curbing most societal ills, saying: “The reason for this is not far-fetched as TVET remains harbinger of education that primarily provides a clear pathway for addressing societal challenges.”
Onweh stressed on the legalisation of the use of technology, noting that it is a critical component of TVET into Nigeria’s Electoral system as contained in relevant sectios of the electoral Act, 2022 which many received as a welcome development.
“There is a somewhat wider perspective that the use of technology could reduce the level of electoral malpractices in Nigeria. The conceptualisation, design and implentation of all technologies in the conduct of elections are product display of TVET knowledge and skills no doubt.”
The Professor as way forward, recommended that TVET practitioners collaborate with relevant stakeholders in developing training contents and scope on the new technologies introduced in Nigeria’s new electoral Act 2022..
He further recommended that electorates should form a group within their constituencies and consistently demand that their representatives empower them through TVET, so as to make them more self reliance, among others.
Speaking also, the lead lecturer, a Professor in the Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Science University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Ebiokpo Amakoromo said the topic was apt having observed that elections in Nigeria have been fraught with various forms of malpractic, sometimes leading to loss of life.
“During election period many politicians recruits youths, electoral officials, society personnel among others to manipulate election results in their favour, but the conference topic seeks to divert their attention from being idle.
She called on parents to give their children the needed quality training they deserved from childhood, while also charging government and we’ll meaning individuals to encourage people offering TVET by putting all the equipment needed in place to boost manpower and productivity in TVET.
On his part, the Dean, Faculty Vocational and Technical Education, Prof Isaac Ogundu stated that the annual conference aims at redirecting the minds of the youth to engage more in meaningful ventures, rather than allowed politicians use them to cause electoral Malpractices.

By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana

Education

IAUE Trains HODs, Deans Ahead of NUC Resource Verification

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Academic Planning Unit of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE, has organized a Pre-Resource Assessment Workshop for Heads of Department and Deans as part of preparations for the forthcoming NUC Resource Verification exercise.

The workshop held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Postgraduate Hall of the University. It drew professors, deans and HODs from across faculties.

Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu, the University Librarian, Prof. Emmanuel Okwu, welcomed principal officers and other participants. He described the session as critical to ensuring the University’s readiness for the NUC assessment.

Prof. Okwu stressed that the exercise was not routine but a strategic step toward meeting national standards. He urged participants to take the presentations seriously and implement recommendations in their departments.

The Director of the Academic Planning Unit, in his welcome address, said the workshop was designed to assess the level of preparedness of departments ahead of the verification. He noted that the University had already invested significantly in facilities and staffing and was now awaiting the NUC team.

Three resource persons took participants through key aspects of the verification process. The Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Joseph Kinanee, spoke on “NUC Resource Verification and Their Requirements.”

Prof. Levi Doe Kalagbor, Director of Quality Assurance, addressed “The Role of Staff in Successful Resource Verification Exercise.” Prof. Isaac Ogundu, Dean of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, presented on “NUC Scoring Format/Guide and Its Implication for Approval Status.”

The presentations were followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. Participants sought clarifications on documentation, facilities and staffing ratios, and received detailed responses from the facilitators.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Okwu thanked everyone for their active participation and engagement. He expressed optimism that IAUE would record a successful outcome in the upcoming NUC resource verification. The programme ended with a closing prayer and refreshments.

Education

UNIPORT VC Hails Postgraduate School Over Planned International Conference

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Chike Princewill, has commended the School of Graduate Studies for initiating an international conference, describing it as a timely move to boost research output, academic excellence and the University’s global visibility.

Prof. Princewill gave the commendation on Friday while receiving members of the conference planning committee set up by the School. The delegation was led by the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Doris Adameh.

He applauded the committee for conceiving the project and urged members to pursue it with diligence and strategic planning. According to him, such academic gatherings are critical to positioning UNIPORT as a hub for cutting-edge research in the region and beyond.

The Vice-Chancellor specifically charged the committee to engage the University’s alumni as strategic partners in the execution of the conference. He noted that their networks, experience and resources would add significant value to the event.

Prof. Princewill further directed the team to reach out to former postgraduate students of the University to solicit their support and cooperation. He said their involvement would help ensure wider participation and a more successful hosting.

He stressed that alumni remain vital stakeholders in the University’s growth agenda. “Their contributions can significantly enhance the success of the event and strengthen our academic and research profile,” he stated.

Earlier in her remarks, Prof. Adameh said the committee was constituted by the School of Graduate Studies to plan and deliver an international conference that meets global standards. She noted that the process was already underway.

Prof. Adameh explained that the conference is designed to bring together scholars, researchers and professionals from across the world. The goal, she added, is to advance knowledge exchange and foster academic collaboration that will benefit both the University and the wider scholarly community.

By: Amadi Akujobi

Education

Education Commissioner hails RSU’S growth research as key to rivers development

Published

2 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended Rivers State University, RSU, for its resilience, academic growth and research contributions, describing the institution as critical to the state’s socio-economic development.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during an official visit to the University in Nkpolu-Oroworukwo. He held talks with principal officers, provosts, campus heads, deans and directors at the Dr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building.

The Commissioner said the visit was to engage the University’s leadership on consolidating gains and strengthening capacity for quality teaching, cutting-edge research, innovation and community service. He noted that RSU occupies a strategic position in the state’s development agenda.

Reaffirming government’s commitment, Dr. Nwagor said education remains the bedrock of human capital development and economic transformation. He stressed that investments in infrastructure, staff development and digital learning must be matched with strong institutional systems, transparency and measurable outcomes.

He urged the University to prioritize key performance indicators such as accreditation performance, research output, internally generated revenue, student outcomes and graduate employability. According to him, these metrics should drive continuous improvement across faculties.

Dr. Nwagor also charged RSU to accelerate its digital transformation, establish research and innovation hubs to solve real societal problems, and maintain existing infrastructure. He advised management to explore sustainable funding through grants, endowments, alumni engagement and strategic industry partnerships.

The Commissioner emphasized that government and the University must play complementary roles. While government meets its statutory funding obligations, he said, the institution must strengthen internal efficiency and pursue legitimate private-sector collaborations.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, appreciated the State Government for its sustained support. He highlighted last year’s budgetary intervention for accreditation, approval of funds for the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies Film Festival slated for November 2026, and the implementation of the new minimum wage for RSU staff.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi, however, drew attention to pressing challenges. He cited shortages of teaching and non-teaching staff ahead of accreditation exercises, inadequate classrooms, libraries, equipment and office spaces, and acute accommodation deficits for staff and students.

The Vice-Chancellor appealed for support to recruit more personnel, retain retired academics on contract, and engage sabbatical and adjunct lecturers. He also requested funding for NUC and professional accreditation scheduled for October, stressing that successful outcomes are vital to RSU’s competitiveness. He reaffirmed management’s commitment to work with government to position RSU as a leading centre of knowledge, research and innovation.

By Amadi Akujobi