The National Union of
Rivers State Students (NURSS) and its National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) counterpart have appealed to the Rivers State Governor, Barrister Nyesom Wike to confirm the appointment of the Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Joseph Kinanee.
They made the joint appeal recently, during a visit to the university through NANS secretary Zone B, Comrade Felix Nwizua and NURSS President, Comrade Vincent Dan-Jumbo.
While addressing students of the institution, the duo explained that they had come to interact with students, noting that the visit to the Vice Chancellor was necessitated by the feedbacks they got from students.
They commended Professor Kinanee for his “developmental strides, promotion of staff, harmonious working relationship with unions, conducive and safe hostel environment to study, and more importantly, for allowing students pay their school fees at no extra  charge and at their own time.
“This virtue of tolerance and understanding of hardship encountered by parents, which other tertiary institutions were insensitive to, endeared him to students.
“We, therefore, call on the State Governor to allow him the opportunity to continue to be a source of hope and inspiration to us”, they said.
In his contribution, NANS presidential aspirant, Comrade Legborsi Yamaabana described Professor Kinanee as “the friendliest and student-orientated Vice Chancellor of the institutions, hence “the best gift that the Governor can give to us is to confirm his appointment”.
He however encouraged the Acting VC not to relent in his efforts and to do more for students.
Responding, Professor Kinanee noted that the students were the primary reason for staff in the institution, hence if your welfare is not taken into consideration, all the efforts would be fruitless venture”.
He noted that though the financial situation in the country was a global issue, the university had been getting assistance from federal, state, and other agencies towards building new hostels and renovation of old ones.
Kinanee, however, urged the students to be patient as deliberate and conscious efforts were being made to address the challenges of inadequate hostel accommodation and other needs.
Management will continue to ensure an academic environment devoid of insecurity assault, extortion, and all other unnecessary penalties, as long as you remain students with integrity, impeccable character and tendencies, and also inculcate the spirit of scholarship”, he said.
Speaking on behalf of the students, the student union government president of the university, Comrade Eche Lucky Chinonso thanked the V C for all his efforts towards the well being of the students.
He promised that they (students) would “reciprocate the gestures by being role models for others to emulate.