Education
Visual Content Affecting Reading Culture – Author
Must be a creative writer and author, Mr Akin Akingbogun, has said the high amount of visual content on social media has reduced reading culture and affected the attention span of readers.
Akingbogunj a graduate of Civil Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, who recently published a novel titled, Dreams from Yesterday,’ explained that reading could be improved through innovative ways like using short story writing, interactive storytelling, short videos with voiceovers.
He said, “Due to the high amount of visual content on social media competing with traditional books or online readers, the attention span of readers has reduced drastically.
“Lengthy novels only appeal to a small section of regular readers, and the messages and learnings are often lost to a great number of readers.
Short story writing, while not new, is a dynamic approach to keeping readers engaged long enough for their attention span.”
“We need to find innovative ways to get readers to spend time reading without being invasive. This would include using interactive storytelling, short videos with voiceovers, and other similar approaches.”
He added that his storybook, ‘Dreams from Yesterday,’ targets a range of readers, from teenagers to senior citizens, saying it depicted life scenarios that every reader could relate to and learn from.
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As Secondary and primary schools in Rivers state ,including public and private owned resumes for the first term 2025/2026 academic session today after a one month vacation at the end of the third term 2024/2025 academic session .,the state ministry of education said quality assurance supervisors will resume school visitations and monitoring immediately.
The state ministry of Education disclosed this in a statement signed by the permanent secretary ,
Dr. (Mrs.) Ndidi Chikanele Utchay and made available to the tide ,the statement stated that staffs of department of quality assurance services (SEQAS) in the ministry and it’s agencies will commence immediate routein assessment visitations to all schools in the state, to ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards .
The statement reads thus:
“This is to notify all public and private schools operating in Rivers State that the State Education Quality Assurance Services (SEQAS) will commence follow-through and routine assessments immediately, upon resumption of the 2025/2026 academic session. These assessments are designed to:
Ensure Compliance with Established Educational Standards.”
“Evaluate the Quality of Teaching and Learning,
Review Curriculum Implementation and Teaching Methods,
Assess Infrastructure and Learning Environment, and
Promote Students Welfare and Overall School Improvement.”
“Consequently, all Public and Private Schools are by this announcement advised to make all necessary preparations and ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements. “
The statement also said applications for School approvals and upgrades should be submitted directly to the office of the Permanent Secretary, as negotiations with individuals and agents will no longer be tolerated.
“The state Ministry of Education appreciates your continuous co-operation and commitments to sustaining high educational standards in our dear State.”the statement stated.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Education
University of Port Harcourt elevates five professor’s on communication and public relations
The Governing Council of University of port Harcourt in Rivers state has appointed
five new Professors of Communication and Media Studies of the institution.
This was contained in a Facebook handle of the public relations officer of the university,Dr Sammy Kpenu disclosed that those elevated to the ranks of professor include erudite and world-class Prof. Ntiense James Usua , promoted to professor of Broadcasting,
Prof. Faustina Ginikanwa Nwachukwu – Strategic Communication and Advertising, and
Prof. Benedict Obiora Agbo – Public Relations and Advertising.
Others are,Prof. Sunny C.J. Mbazie , Public Relations and Advertising, while
Prof. Clement Afamefuna Asadu ,was appointed professor of Behaviour and Social Change Communication, of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, has declared that all activities in the University are AI-driven, stressing the need to prepare the future workforce through Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) Education as a pathway to achieving sustainable development.
He made this remark while declaring open the 4th Annual International Conference of the Department of Science Education, held from Wednesday,at the Faculty of Education Auditorium.
The vice chancellor commended the department for choosing a theme that aligns with his vision for the University and expressed optimism that the conference would produce a communiqué with clear strategies for the future.
Also speaking,the Head of Department, Science Education, Dr. Dorathy Ekineh, stated that the convergence of STEM Education, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Sustainable Development is crucial in shaping the next generation of leaders, innovators, and problem solvers.
According to her, the conference provides an opportunity to explore, discuss, and collaborate on strategies to equip the workforce with the skills required to face the challenges and seize the opportunities of the future.
Earlier In his welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty of Education, Prof. Isaac N. Dokubo, described the conference as timely, noting that the world is rapidly embracing AI in all sectors.
He explained that the primary aim of the conference is to examine how AI and STEM Education can prepare tomorrow’s workforce to compete effectively with their counterparts globally.
Delivering the keynote address, the Dean, Faculty of Education, University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Cheta Williams, stated that the workforce of the future will thrive at the intersection of STEM, Artificial Intelligence, and sustainability.
“If we align our education systems, innovations, and ethical compass, we will not just prepare for the future, we will shape it,” he stated .
He averred that the workforce of tomorrow is already being built today in classrooms, universities, innovation hubs, and government boardrooms,adding that the future is not something to wait for, but something to design and build together.
Also presenting a paper titled “STEM Education and Sustainable Development for a Resilient Future”, Prof. Keziah A. Achuonye from the Faculty of Education, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, highlighted the vital role of STEM in driving resilience and sustainable growth.
By: Akujobi Amadi
