Education
We’ll Not Relent In Our Pursuit For Educational Excellence -Commissioner
Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom has declared that the Ministry of Education under his watch will not relent in its pursuit for educational excellence.
Prof. Mmom disclosed this in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Robinson Hamilton, recently when he played host to a league of academics under the aegis of Rivers State Heads of Tertiary Institutions, who paid him a courtesy/familiarisation visit in his office in Port Harcourt.
Mmon, who told the heads of tertiary institutions in the state that he has hit the ground running already, informed them that a committee has been constituted to embark on needs assessment across secondary schools in Rivers State.
Speaking on behalf of the delegation, the Vice Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule thanked the Governor of Rivers State, Chief Nyesom Wike for appointing a seasoned academic as commissioner for Education.
Prof. Nlerum added that, Mmom having been involved in teaching, research and community service at the highest ladder of academics, his appointment could be best described as a case of a round peg in a round hole.
He acknowledged that though the task is demanding, but the league of academic heads in Rivers State is confident that he would bring his wealth of experience to bear and put a lasting legacy that would be ineffaceable.
The Heads of Tertiary Institutions pledged their unalloyed and unflinching support to the Commissioner and beckoned on him to consolidate on the commendable achievements already recorded by the present administration in the education sector.
Those present included; Prof. Nlerum Okogbule. Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu, Vice Chancellor, Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Engr. (Dr) Gwara Ledum Suanu, Rector Kenule Beeson Saro-Wiwa Polytechnic, Dr. Sam Kalagbor, Rector, Captain Elecchi Amadi Polytechnic, and Prof. Franklin Nlerum, Provost Rivers State College of Health Science and Management Technology.
Later, the commissioner proceeded on a courtesy visit to the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) to familiarize with the board.
The Executive Chairman of the board, Ven Fyneface Akah congratulated the Commissioner on his appointment.
The Chairman added that, since his years of stewardship, Prof. Chinedu Mmom is the first Commissioner for Education to visit the board for familiarisation.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
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.