Education
Mavi, 12, Writes Two Books In PH …Dep Gov, Others Hail Author
The saying that failure is an orphan while success has many parents came to the fore Friday in Port Harcourt when both the high and low struggled for space to identify with twelve years old Mavi Val-Ugboma who presented her two book for launch.
The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engineer Tele Ikuru, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, her education counterpart, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, Medical Director, Imo State University, Chairman, Rivers State Branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Opaka Dokubo, General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Senibo Celestine Ogolo, ex-member Imo State House of Assembly, Editors and other personalities including friends and family members, all marvelled at Mavi’s books.
Even as she sat amongst the dignitaries at the high table with full comportment, many still believed it was a kiddies joke until when she stepped out to deliver her welcome speech. Herself confidence, superlative accent and perfect delivery unmasked the stuff in little beautiful and brilliant Mavi who revealed to her charged audience that she was inspired by the world acclaimed Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.
After showering praises on the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi for his passion in education as evidenced by his great investment on the sector, all Mavi could ask from the Governor was more libraries in the Secondary Schools. No wonder her father, Val Ugboma called her a book worm.
The titles of her books are 2 Will Tales, and 5 Will Tales. Dr Desmond Osueke, Head Research and Training Unit of The Tide Newspapers, who reviewed the first book (2 Will Tales) said the work comprises two short stories – Divine Aid and Together We Stand.
According to the reviewer, it is a story of an orphan left in the hands of a wicked step mother, named Akaike, while Together We Stand is about a family torn apart by deception and lust.
The first story teaches us to be kind to others even if they are not our relations. We learn not to be jealous but to be contented with what we have,” the reviewer said adding that the second story “teaches us some moral lessons. We learn of the torment and confusion that infidelity can bring in a marriage but above all we also learn to forgive one another.”
The reviewer of the second book (5 Will Tales), Dr Alpheaus Paul-Worika said it comprises of five short stories, Adventures of two friends, Evil Customs Must Be Removed, God Has A Reason, A Victory and the last Wickedness of Man.
Dr Paul-Worika who is the Deputy Group News Editor also of The Tide, said the first is about two courageous girls who showed strength and determination in fearlessly fighting against and eventually thwarting the evil plans of armed robbers.
From what he said the stories stressed courage, and doggedness in fighting bad cultural practices, reward for courage, freedom, reformation, marriage challenges.
Of all, the two reviewers described the baby author as a budding star who is a master story teller.
Chairman of the occasion, and the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Senibo Celestine Ogolo, commended the author and her parents, remarking that she is as rising star set to blossom.
“I have read her books and listened to her address. It’s wonderful,” Senibo Ogolo said and commended Rivers Government for encouraging growth in education noting that it was the wonderful investment and passion of Governor Amaechi that made him win the Vanguard Newspaper’s Award as Personality of the year.
Mavi is a JSS3 student of the Nobles Academy, Port Harcourt and hails from Ndoni in Rivers State.
Highlights of the event was the cutting of Mavi’s 12th birthday cake which coincided with the book launch.
Chris Oluoh
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.