Education
Female Author Charges Writers On Social Dev
A young female author of the book, “The Language of the Sun”, Miss Okelani Aworabhi has advised young authors and upcoming writers to focus on books that will impact positively on the society and propel development in the country.
Aworabhi gave this advice while speaking with journalists during the launching and public presentation of her book “The Language of the Sun held at the Presidential Hotel in Port Harcourt, Saturday.
She urged the upcoming writers to ensure that they work and follow up with their dreams adding that they can succeed in realising their dreams only when they are driven by the passion of their dreams.
She disclosed that the dream of publishing the book started at when she was 17 years old and added that she almost abandoned the book due to some myriads of challenges that greeted her ambitions of becoming an author.
Miss Aworabhi, an indigene of Oloibiri community in Bayelsa State disclosed that she ventured in to the book in other to tell the story of the Niger Delta region that have been developmentally marginalised despite been the economic hub of the nation.
She noted that Oloibiri community in Bayelsa State where oil was first discovered in 1956 in commercial quantity have been relegated despite the God given a natural resources, adding that the God given blessings have become a curse to the people of the region.
The Geologist said the people of the region must speak with one voice and join in the struggle for the advancement of Niger Delta in a civilize way and not through arms carrying.
She expressed happiness that her years of dreaming has finally come to pass and thanked God for His benevolence as well as all those who contributed to the success of the publication and launching.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Prof Kimse Okoko described the author as a proud daughter of Niger Delta region adding that she had through her book expressed the injustices and neglects melted against the people of the region by successive government in the country.
He described her as both a revolutionist and activist who through the book x-rayed the struggles of the people of the region in many centuries and enjoined the people of the area to join hands in the struggle for the betterment of the region.
In his own speech, the Chief launcher, Dr Azibapu Godbless Eruani, Group president, Azikel Group, while launching the book described the author as a beacon of hope for the younger generation adding that he was happy that a youth can venture into a critical book writing such as this despite the challenges of environmental degradation and media influences affecting the society at the moment.
In his own speech, the book reviewer, Carlton Lindsay Barrett said the author in her book, “the language of the sun” introduced a new trend of experimental literature that changes the situation through storytelling and added that the story in the book was told in experimental fiction where modernity struggle with tradition.
According to him, the Novel deals with serious and relevant issues that will engage the concerns of readers of all ages, adding that the bold assertion of female independence that her main characters represent is also one of the most refreshing revelations of the book.
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.