Rivers
Tailor Research Towards Problem-Solving, VC Urges Faculty
The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof Okechuku Onuchuku, has urged the Faculty of Social Sciences to focus its research on solving societal problems.
He made the call on Thursday at the Postgraduate Hall of the university during the Faculty’s 11th international conference, themed, “Social Science and the Challenge of Relevance in Contemporary Nigeria”.
Prof Onuchuku, who observed that industries increasingly seek solutions outside universities due to the theoretical nature of most research findings, emphasized that universities will continue to be neglected if they cannot provide practical solutions to societal problems.
The Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Professor Nyekachi Nyewe Amadi, welcomed participants and noted the conference’s significance in the Faculty’s history.
He stated that the University has always committed to academic excellence, as evidenced in the conference.
Professor Amadi explained that the conference provides a platform for scholars and experts to engage in meaningful discussions, exchange ideas, and explore new concepts.
He emphasized the importance of collective knowledge, interdisciplinary approaches, and academic interconnectiveness.
The conference featured esteemed speakers, thought-provoking panel discussions, and interactive workshops designed to catalyze intellectual growth.
Professor Amadi urged participants to actively engage in dialogue and seize opportunities to learn from one another.
The host appreciated the Acting Vice Chancellor for providing a conducive atmosphere and thanked participants for their presence, demonstrating commitment to academic excellence and knowledge pursuit. He also thanked dedicated Faculty Members for their tireless efforts and commended their commitment and passion.
He thanked the students, describing them as the University’s heart and soul, and hinted that the conference presents a unique opportunity for them to engage with renowned scholars, expand their horizons, and shape their academic journey.
Chairman Organising Committee of the conference, Professor Godspower Irikana, on his part, reiterated the theme’s aptness, given Nigeria’s current experience.
He agreed that social sciences face challenges in contemporary Nigeria, related to their role in facilitating development.
Irikana emphasised that societal challenges are indeed challenges to intellectual disciplines generating ideas and material conditions for societal survival.
He stated further that social sciences must address their relevance in understanding contemporary social problems.
The Chairman expressed the hope that the gathering would fashion a way forward in finding solutions to the dilemma.
The Secretary, Conference Organising Committee, Professor Hygenuis Oku, appreciated everyone who contributed to the conference’s success.
A Political Science Professor, William Ehwarieme of Ajayi Crowther University, Oyo State, gave the keynote address, while Dr. Sam Amadi, a legal practitioner and former Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission Director, served as the lead paper presenter.
The conference featured ambassadorial, leadership, and service awards to deserving personalities.
By: Sogbeba Dokubo
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.