Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, has ranked seventh in Google Scholar Profile Submission in the 2026 Ranking of Universities.

The ranking was based on staff Google Scholar Profile submissions by various institutions.

Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, disclosed this at the Senate meeting held on Wednesday at the Postgraduate Hall of the university.

Onuchuku commended academic staff whose scholarly articles and publications were cited on Google Scholar, describing their contributions as instrumental to the university’s improved visibility and ranking.

He urged them to sustain the tempo in research, publication and academic engagement.

The Vice-Chancellor also expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, for approving the implementation of the agreement reached with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which, he said, had resulted in the new salary structure now being received by members of staff.

He further commended the IAUE ASUU Chairman, Professor Obinna Prince Ikechi, for his efforts towards ensuring the implementation of the agreement, as well as members of the University Bursary who worked to facilitate the process.

In another development, the National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved five new programmes for the university at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The programmes include Special Needs Education, Human Kinetics and Sports Management, Environmental Management and Toxicology, Logistics and Supply Chain Management, and Cyber Security.

The approval followed the NUC’s visit to the university on September 8, to assess the readiness of the institution for the newly introduced programmes.

The Vice-Chancellor said plans were underway to appoint and announce qualified academic staff to head the new departments.

Meanwhile, the University Senate has expelled a final-year student of the Department of English and Literary Studies, over what the institution described as damaging content creation.

The Senate’s decision followed an interview by the student which went viral, during which she reportedly claimed that her project topic was “Citizenship”, although the university said there was no such topic in the Department of English and Literary Studies.

She was also reported to have claimed that her supervisor wrote the project for her.

According to the university, the Senate’s decision was intended to serve as a deterrent to other students who may engage in similar conducts capable of damaging the image of the institution.

Senate also approved the graduating results for the 2024/2025 academic session from the university’s faculties and affiliated institutions, including Peaceland University, Enugu, and the College of Education, Warri, as presented by the Postgraduate School through its Dean, Professor Helen Okujagu.

The Senate also approved the 2026/2027 academic calendar as presented by the Director of the Academic Planning Unit, Professor Joseph Kinanee.

Returning students, according to the calendar, are expected to resume on Monday, November 9, 2026, while registration for Year One students is ongoing.

 Lectures are scheduled to commence for returning students on Monday, November 23, and for fresh students on Monday, November 30, with the Christmas break beginning on Friday, December 18, 2026.

Academic activities are expected to resume on Monday, January 4, 2027 after the Christmas break.

King Onunwor

Prevention for HIV has taken yet another more advanced dimension with the introduction of the Lenacapavir (LEN) Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) into the stable of HIV prevention.

This was disclosed to Journalists assembled from across Nigeria in a two-day training programme on Lenacapavir in Lagos State.

In his presentation, the Lead Facilitator, and Principal Partner, Kent Consult Limited, Abuja, Dr. Segun Oyedeji, said unlike the earlier Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP), which is taken to prevent HIV infection after exposure, the Lenacapavir PrEP is taken by non-infected persons.

Such targeted persons are usually those exposed to vulnerable behaviours capable of exposing them to HIV infection.

“PrEP is taken before you are exposed to HIV, and comes in three forms: the daily oral PrEP, Truvada pill; the two-months interval injectible, Cabotegravir; and the long-acting bi-annually (six months interval) injectible, Lenacapavir. There’s also the Dapivrine Vaginal Ring, which women wear for one month”, he said.

Dr. Oyedeji explained that PrEP is meant for people who are exposed by their risk profile to HIV infection.

Risk profile, he explained, “is the kind of risk behaviours they exhibit in their lifestyle.”

Such people include people with a partner who has HIV, people who don’t always use condoms, sex workers, etc.

PrEP, according to Dr. Oyedeji, “builds up protection in your body so that if HIV enters your body, the medicine stops it from multiplying.”

Also, within the period the person is taking it, the person must get tested for HIV every three months interval.

So far, among the four options of PrEP, Adedeji, continued, “the Lenacapavir is the game-changer everyone is talking about.”

The reason is that it is a Capsid inhibitor, first of its class, that attacks the protein shell that HIV uses to copy itself, which is different from old drugs, and is just two injections per year, plus small starter tablets at the beginning. Not daily pills.

He, however, noted that before any of the PrEP options can be used, the person has to go through an eligibility test to ascertain which of the options would be suitable for the person, based on the person’s risky behaviour, and that all the person needs to do is to go to any health facility close to them to seek for the service, or the State Agency for the Control of AIDS (SACA) to get the right direction.

On his part, the Senior Prevention Manager, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), Mr. Adeleye Taofeek, who spoke on condom use as part of preventive measures for both HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), encouraged the use of condoms, especially where abstinence from sex is inevitable.

He said, “We are canvassing that as much as you use PrEP, you can also use condoms to prevent other STIs, beside HIV.

“We want the media to engage in demand creation for use of the various HIV prevention options: whether it is condom, PrEP, or change of behaviour, staying with an uninfected partner, we want the media to support the national response by creating demand for HIV prevention options.”

Earlier in her welcome address to participating Journalists at the two-day training, organised by the NACA and the Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), the Director-General, National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), Dr. Temitope Ilori, emphsised the importance of the media in awareness creation.

She said: “PrEP is an effective HIV prevention for people who are HIV-negative and may be at risk of acquiring HIV. However, the availability of a prevention intervention is only one part of the equation. People must also have access to the right information, understand their prevention options, know where services are available, and feel confident seeking those services. This is where you, our media professionals, become indispensable partners.

“The media has the power to shape public understanding. A well researched story can dispel a misconception, encourage someone to seek a prevention service and potentially change a life. On the contrary, inaccurate or sensational reporting can create fear, reinforce stigma and discourage people from accessing HIV services.

“We, therefore, count on you to report PrEP and HIV prevention accurately, responsibly, and without stigma.”

The NACA D-G, who was represented by the Head, Public Relations and Protocol, NACA, Toyin Aderibigbe, charged the participants at the training, saying, “your reporting should make these issues understandable to ordinary Nigerians.”

Research shows that so far there have been no infections among all the people who have received the LEN PrEP, showing almost 100% protection.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) adopted it in July 2025 as an additional PrEP option.

In Nigeria, NAFDAC approved it in the late 2025 and received regulatory clearance, with the country receiving its first batch of doses in March 2026, and subsequently distributed it to 8 pilot states.

The states are: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Benue, Cross River, Ebonyi, FCT, Gombe, and Kwara.

Investigation revealed that since May 2026, all the pilot states are accessing the LEN, and the demand is very high, especially among sex workers who want privacy and no daily pills.

In Rivers State, although the Lenacapavir is expected to arrive soon, the daily oral PrEP (Truvada pill), and the two-months interval injectible (Cabotegravir) are available, and the relevant authorities are encouraging people to access the drug.

Sogbeba Dokubo

The Etche Area Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs has declared seven days of mourning across Etche Nation following the demise of late Eze E.M.B Opurum, the Ochie of Etche land.
Chairman of the Council, His Royal Majesty, King Samuel Ndiwe Amechi, made the declaration during a condolence visit by a delegation of traditional rulers and chiefs to the family of the late Ochie.
King Amaechi, who is the Onye Ishi-Ala, Igbo Kingdom, while leading the delegations, expressed deep sorrow over the passing of the traditional ruler and commiserated with the bereaved family.
He acknowledged the late monarch’s contributions to peace, unity, culture and development in Etche Land.
The monarch described the death of late Opurum as a loss to the traditional institution and the wider Etche Community, and prayed for the peaceful repose of the late Ochie of Etche .
He also prayed for divine strength and comfort for members of the bereaved family as they mourn their departed patriarch.
In honour of the late Etche revered monarch, the Council announced the immediate suspension of the Central Etche Wrestling Festival, and directed that the cultural event should not proceed during the mourning period.
It further ordered that flags should fly at half-mast across Etche Land as a mark of respect for the deceased Ochie of Etche, and in recognition of his position within the traditional institution.
The seven-day mourning period, according to the Council, is intended to enable the various clans of Etche Nation to collectively mourn the late monarch and honour his memory.
Meanwhile, the Council has warned members of the public against relying on any statement purportedly issued on the letterhead of the late Ochie and attributed to Eze Kenwala.
The Council said such a statement was not authorised, and urged the public to disregard it and rely on official communications from the recognised traditional authority concerning matters relating to the late Ochie of Etche.
The warning was contained in an official announcement signed by King Samuel Ndiwe Amechi, Chairman of the Echei Area Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs.
The Council stated its commitment to ensuring that the mourning period is observed with dignity and respect, while urging the people of Etche Nation to remain united as they honour the memory of their departed traditional ruler.

By: Amadi Akujobi