Education
Club Honours Commissioner With Book Presentation
The Elite club of Nigeria (an Omuanwa-based community development Association) has honoured the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof Prince Chinedu Mmom through the public presentation of a book titled “The Chronicle”, Reflections on the Life and Ideas of Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom to honour him.
Speaking at the public presentation of the book at Community Secondary School Omuanwa in Ikwerre Local Government Area the chairman of the occasion who doubled as the Community Development Committee chairman (CDC) Mr. Chinnah Ugo Kingsley said Prof Mmom, as an academic personality has left his footprints on the sands of time and that the book serve as an honour to him and everything he stands for.
In his keynote address, the president of the Elite Club of Nigeria, Rev Fr. John Iheanacho represented by Kelachi Anokwuru described Prof. Mmom as a worthy son of the community, who has contributed enormously to the advancement of the academic world through his scholarly research, teaching and community service with particular attention to geography and environmental management.
Anokwuru who described Prof. Mmom as a living legend said the book which contains a compilation of the life, ideas, moral values, academic attainments, among others descriptions so as to encourage other well meaning sons and daughters of the community to position themselves on the pathway of success in order to achieve uncommon feat in their chosen careers.
Responding, the Commissioner for Education, Prof Prince Chinedu Mmom said for a book to be written and launched in his honour was something he could not have imagined would ever happens to him looking at where he was coming from.
In his words, “Standing here today to address you gives me a nostalgia. for a book to be written and launched in my honour gives me mix feelings, but I return all the glory to God. What am enjoying today is the mercies of God. I’m not the first to become a professor and as well Honourable Commissioner for Education, but it pleases God to make me whom I am at a time like this.
Mmom charged that there is no short cut to academics, adding that if you must make it to the top, you must avoid distractions, saying: “As an accomplished academia, he has paid his dues as a distinguished Professor, remarking that he is blessed being the son of Omuanwa community and the community is also blessed to have a son like him.
“As the first Professor of my community and being honoured with a book that talks about me in such a captivating title means a lot to me as it was written by elites from my community and I truly appreciate and thank you all for recognising my efforts and giving me and other distinguished members of the community awards of merit and hardwork.”
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.