Education
RSHA Member Lauds Ariolu’s Educational Initiative, Maintenance Culture
Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council Barrister George Ariolu, has been commended for giant strides taken to invest in offering grants to Masters and Ph.D students, describing this as human capacity development projects.
In a statement signed last Tuesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Council Chairman, Ichenwo Goodluck and made available to The Tide it was added that the post Graduate grant cuts across various choice of disciplines on order for this grants to carter for students in any of the reputable higher institutions in the State.
Speaking during the issuance of the first tranche of cheques to over one hundred deserving indigenes and residents in the Local Government Area, who were successfully screened and shortlisted for the 2023 Obio/Akpor Post Graduate Grant to Masters and Ph.D degree programmes, a Rivers State House of Assembly (RSHA) Member, representing Obio/Akpor Constituency II, Hon. Michael Chinda, commended Ariolu for emulating the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, in project delivery and human capacity development projects.
He further applauded Ariolu for exhibiting a high level of maintenance culture within and outside the council premises.
“History must be kind to Barr George Ariolu and I want to congratulate him for his efforts. Let me further say that the council chairman has promoted the maintenance culture of the facilities in the council. I am impressed with what I’m seeing here today.”
Chinda also congratulated the beneficiaries, advising them to make judicious use of the grant by channelling the funds to the purpose for which it was issued to them.
Speaking also, the Special Guest of Honour and Commissioner for Education, Professor Prince Chinedu Mmom, stated that for a society to survive, there is a self developmental approach man must engage himself in, in order to boost development, saying: “This is what Ariolu is undertaking in the lives of Obio/Akpor people.
Mmom noted that the efforts of the Obio/Akpor Chairman is appreciated, stressing on the importance of capacity building, especially in the Post Graduate Scheme, Maritime training at Charkin Maritime Academy and Vocational Skills Acquisition.
He further commended Ariolu for his kind gestures towards the development of the people of Obio/Akpor and Rivers State at large, while urging beneficiaries to appreciate the sacrifices of Ariolu’s administration by putting the funds to good use and also ensuring that they give back to the society when given opportunities to serve in similar positions.
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.