Education

Mavi, 12, Writes Two Books In PH …Dep Gov, Others Hail Author

Published

13 years ago

April 8, 2013

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

Education

IAUE Trains HODs, Deans Ahead of NUC Resource Verification

Published

5 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Academic Planning Unit of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IAUE, has organized a Pre-Resource Assessment Workshop for Heads of Department and Deans as part of preparations for the forthcoming NUC Resource Verification exercise.

The workshop held on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Postgraduate Hall of the University. It drew professors, deans and HODs from across faculties.

Declaring the workshop open on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu, the University Librarian, Prof. Emmanuel Okwu, welcomed principal officers and other participants. He described the session as critical to ensuring the University’s readiness for the NUC assessment.

Prof. Okwu stressed that the exercise was not routine but a strategic step toward meeting national standards. He urged participants to take the presentations seriously and implement recommendations in their departments.

The Director of the Academic Planning Unit, in his welcome address, said the workshop was designed to assess the level of preparedness of departments ahead of the verification. He noted that the University had already invested significantly in facilities and staffing and was now awaiting the NUC team.

Three resource persons took participants through key aspects of the verification process. The Director of Academic Planning, Prof. Joseph Kinanee, spoke on “NUC Resource Verification and Their Requirements.”

Prof. Levi Doe Kalagbor, Director of Quality Assurance, addressed “The Role of Staff in Successful Resource Verification Exercise.” Prof. Isaac Ogundu, Dean of the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, presented on “NUC Scoring Format/Guide and Its Implication for Approval Status.”

The presentations were followed by an interactive question-and-answer session. Participants sought clarifications on documentation, facilities and staffing ratios, and received detailed responses from the facilitators.

In his closing remarks, Prof. Okwu thanked everyone for their active participation and engagement. He expressed optimism that IAUE would record a successful outcome in the upcoming NUC resource verification. The programme ended with a closing prayer and refreshments.

Education

UNIPORT VC Hails Postgraduate School Over Planned International Conference

Published

5 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Chike Princewill, has commended the School of Graduate Studies for initiating an international conference, describing it as a timely move to boost research output, academic excellence and the University’s global visibility.

Prof. Princewill gave the commendation on Friday while receiving members of the conference planning committee set up by the School. The delegation was led by the Associate Dean of the School of Graduate Studies, Prof. Doris Adameh.

He applauded the committee for conceiving the project and urged members to pursue it with diligence and strategic planning. According to him, such academic gatherings are critical to positioning UNIPORT as a hub for cutting-edge research in the region and beyond.

The Vice-Chancellor specifically charged the committee to engage the University’s alumni as strategic partners in the execution of the conference. He noted that their networks, experience and resources would add significant value to the event.

Prof. Princewill further directed the team to reach out to former postgraduate students of the University to solicit their support and cooperation. He said their involvement would help ensure wider participation and a more successful hosting.

He stressed that alumni remain vital stakeholders in the University’s growth agenda. “Their contributions can significantly enhance the success of the event and strengthen our academic and research profile,” he stated.

Earlier in her remarks, Prof. Adameh said the committee was constituted by the School of Graduate Studies to plan and deliver an international conference that meets global standards. She noted that the process was already underway.

Prof. Adameh explained that the conference is designed to bring together scholars, researchers and professionals from across the world. The goal, she added, is to advance knowledge exchange and foster academic collaboration that will benefit both the University and the wider scholarly community.

By: Amadi Akujobi

Education

Education Commissioner hails RSU’S growth research as key to rivers development

Published

5 days ago

August 17, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended Rivers State University, RSU, for its resilience, academic growth and research contributions, describing the institution as critical to the state’s socio-economic development.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during an official visit to the University in Nkpolu-Oroworukwo. He held talks with principal officers, provosts, campus heads, deans and directors at the Dr. Nyesom Ezenwo Wike Senate Building.

The Commissioner said the visit was to engage the University’s leadership on consolidating gains and strengthening capacity for quality teaching, cutting-edge research, innovation and community service. He noted that RSU occupies a strategic position in the state’s development agenda.

Reaffirming government’s commitment, Dr. Nwagor said education remains the bedrock of human capital development and economic transformation. He stressed that investments in infrastructure, staff development and digital learning must be matched with strong institutional systems, transparency and measurable outcomes.

He urged the University to prioritize key performance indicators such as accreditation performance, research output, internally generated revenue, student outcomes and graduate employability. According to him, these metrics should drive continuous improvement across faculties.

Dr. Nwagor also charged RSU to accelerate its digital transformation, establish research and innovation hubs to solve real societal problems, and maintain existing infrastructure. He advised management to explore sustainable funding through grants, endowments, alumni engagement and strategic industry partnerships.

The Commissioner emphasized that government and the University must play complementary roles. While government meets its statutory funding obligations, he said, the institution must strengthen internal efficiency and pursue legitimate private-sector collaborations.

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, appreciated the State Government for its sustained support. He highlighted last year’s budgetary intervention for accreditation, approval of funds for the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies Film Festival slated for November 2026, and the implementation of the new minimum wage for RSU staff.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi, however, drew attention to pressing challenges. He cited shortages of teaching and non-teaching staff ahead of accreditation exercises, inadequate classrooms, libraries, equipment and office spaces, and acute accommodation deficits for staff and students.

The Vice-Chancellor appealed for support to recruit more personnel, retain retired academics on contract, and engage sabbatical and adjunct lecturers. He also requested funding for NUC and professional accreditation scheduled for October, stressing that successful outcomes are vital to RSU’s competitiveness. He reaffirmed management’s commitment to work with government to position RSU as a leading centre of knowledge, research and innovation.

By Amadi Akujobi