Education
Varsity Students Urged To Embrace Skill Acquisition
Newly admitted under graduates of Dominican University, Ibadan, have been called upon to embrace skill acquisition to complement the degree they are going to obtain at the University.
The charge was given by the Director-Genera/Chief Executive, Nigeria Film Corporation, Jos, Plateau State, Dr Chidia Maduekwe, while featuring as the matriculation lecturer, during the 6th matriculation ceremony of the University held last Friday.
Speaking on the topic:’Character And Learning:The Imperative For An Entrepreneural Society’, Maduekwe noted that creative and innovative entrepreneurship revolves around personal growth, self-knowledge and the acquisition of new abilities.
“This is what you are being offered today. For Nigeria’s rapid development to happen, which you and I desire, we must embrace the concept of creative and innovative entrepreneurship training and capacity building.
“We must develop strong and positive character and behaviours, bridge all existensial gaps, widen support structures that promote entrepreneurship right from personal right choices we have to make to the levels of institutional engagements, policy framdeworks, implementation, including the provision of appropriate incentives.”
Maduekwe, also advised the newly matriculated to explore numerous opportunities abound in the creative industry, adding that white collar jobs are not really available after graduation.
He urged the students to shun all acts capable of distraction and concentrate fully on their academic activities. Maduekwe noted that only this can guarantee them of graduating with good grades.
While addressing the new students, Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Hyginus Ekwuazi, told the students to be of good conduct while on campus, saying that the University has zero tolerance for misconduct of any form from students.
He stated that the school authority will not hesitate to dish out necessary sanction to any student found wanting.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the need for students to go beyond academic achievements during the university’s 43rd Convocation ceremony.
The theme, “The University Culture In Practice, The IAUE Experience,” highlights the importance of embracing cherished traditions and intellectual values that define great universities.
Prof. Onuchuku encouraged the new graduates to work hard and persevere, noting that their convocation marks a new beginning in their careers and personal lives. He emphasised that they must prove themselves worthy of the certificates and prizes they have received.
According to him, out of 2,887 first-degree graduands, four made First Class, 403 secured Second Class Upper, 2,030 got Second Class Lower, and 450 graduated with Third Class. Additionally, 1,492 postgraduate students graduated, including 306 PhD holders.
The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), praised the university’s commitment to academic excellence and institutional maturity. He commended the Acting Vice Chancellor for achieving full accreditation for 47 academic programmes and implementing the NUC’s Core Curriculum Minimum Academic Standards.
The administrator urged the new graduates to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and strive for continuous knowledge and improvement.
By: King Onunwor
The Niger Delta Students Union Government, Rivers State Chapter (NIDSUG), has suspended its planned protest against the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) state office in Port Harcourt. The suspension followed an intervention by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju.
The students had planned to protest on Thursday, citing alleged neglect by the NDDC, particularly in welfare and capacity-building programmes for students from the state. However, after the police intervention, the students agreed to participate in a roundtable discussion with the commission to address their concerns.
NIDSUG leader, Comrade Loveday Njoku, expressed dissatisfaction with the commission’s alleged exclusion of students from benefiting from its programmes. He presented a seven-point demand, including the reintroduction of scholarships for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Njoku emphasised that education is crucial for community development and urged the commission to invest in the future leaders of the state.
The students warned that if their demands are not met, they will resume the protest and occupy the state commission office until their demands are addressed. Despite previous attempts to reach out to the commission’s management team, the students claimed their efforts were unsuccessful.
By: Akujobi Amadi
As part of efforts to improve the welfare and overall quality of education for students in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, the Sole Administrator, Sir (Dr.) Clifford Ndu Walter DSSRS, FCAI, JP, paid an unscheduled visit to Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi.
During the visit, Sir Walter expressed deep concern over the deplorable state of the school and its surrounding environment. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the development of the education sector, stressing its critical role in nation-building.
“I have visited the primary school in Ogbogoro, and now I’m here at the Universal Primary School, Rumukwurusi. I am not satisfied with what I’ve seen,” he stated, indicating that more surprise visits to schools would follow.
To address the issues, the Sole Administrator directed the Council Engineer to commence process for rehabilitation of the school.
The visit was part of a broader initiative aimed at conducting on-the-spot assessments of educational facilities to determine the level of intervention required by the local government council.
Dr. Walter also assured the teachers of his unwavering commitment to revamp the school and improve the learning environment for both staff and students.
