News

RVHA Probes RSUST Post-JAMB Tests

Published

16 years ago

July 10, 2009

The Rivers State House of Assembly yesterday condemned in strong terms the manner in which the authorities of Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) Port Harcourt conducted its 2009 aptitude test for selection of candidates for admission into the institution, last weekend.

The lawmakers made the condemnation through a motion of adjournment brought to the floor of the House by Hon Jaja Tamunosisi Gogo, Opobo/Nkoro, during a special session of the House.

Hon Jaja had drawn the attention of the state lawmakers to recent development at the University especially as it concerns admissions.

According to him, he has been bombarded with lots of text messages from his constituents over the conduct of the recent aptitude test conducted by the management of the RSUST.

He stated that the university authority subjected prospective candidates who sat for the 2009 aptitude test to purchase a form at the cost of N2,000 as condition for participating in the examination.

The lawmaker informed the legislators that the prospective candidates were subjected to write the aptitude examination via a computer, noting that such process was very wrong.

He opined that most of the candidates were not familiar with computer application neither were they all computer literate, adding that such treatment would amount to a high level of injustice against the candidates.

He alleged that the son of the Vice Chancellor of the school is the consultant of the university computer system which, he said has made it difficult for the system to function effectively.

The lawmaker also said that the essence of establishing the state university by the state government was to enable indigenes of the state, who could not gain admission to other universities to have the opportunity to do so in the state.

“Mr Speaker and my colleagues, let me say that the reason for establishing the state university is to let our people who can not go the Kano, Lagos, Kaduna states to get admission for higher learning have the opportunity.

With the recent development in the admission process in the institution, the benefit for which the institution was established is being defeated,” he added.

He thus urged the House to direct the House Committee on Education to investigate the matter and bring their report to the House for prompt attention.

In their contributions, Hon Ibam Ikuinyi Owaji (Andoni) and Inimgba Irene Martins, while supporting the motion, enjoined the lawmakers to rise up to their responsibilities and ensure that the management of the university does not deny indigenes of the state the opportunity to gain admission into the university.

The lawmakers were unanimous in condemning candidates who are coming from rural areas to write test with computer even as they urged the school authority to make the university become more accessible to the people.

In his ruling, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt Hon Tonye Harry directed the House Committee on Education to investigate the matter and report to the House for further action.

Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon Tonye Harry (right) listening to Barr. O. T. Amachree, chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Rivers State, during the first Marshall Harry Memorial Lecture at Hotel Presidential in Port Harcourt last Monday. Photo: Chris Monyanaga

News

198 UNIBEN Students Bag First Class

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

A total of 198 students of the University of Benin (UNIBEN ) Edo State, bagged a First Class degree out of 14,083 students to be awarded first degree at the institution’s 51st Convocation and Founder’s Day ceremony.

Vice Chancellor of UNIBEN, Prof. Edoba Omoregie, disclosed this on Monday in Benin at a pre-convocation press briefing.

He said 4,217 students bagged a Second Class Upper, 7, 928 got a Second Class Lower, while 578 bagged a Third Class degree.

He said 15 new approved programmes by the National Universities Commission (NUC) would commence in the 2025/2026 academic session.

According to him, “The wheel of progress is on course and moving steadily in the University of Benin. This administration is poised to deliver on its mandate of effective, practical teaching, sound learning, result-oriented research and impactful community service.

“We must applaud the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for establishing NELFUND, and by so doing significantly reducing the financial stress of students in the process of acquiring tertiary education. We enjoin students and their parents to take full advantage of the federal government’s benevolence in instituting the fund.”

Prof. Omoregie disclosed that Nigeria’s Minister of Regional Development, Engr. Abubakar Momoh, would deliver the Founders’ Day lecture with the topic, “Reforms for a Shared Prosperity”.

The UNIBEN VC said Director General of the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs and Former Vice Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Edo State, Professor Eghosa Osaghae, would deliver the Convocation Lecture on the theme, “Making Our Universities Great”.

News

Bayelsa Education Fund, British Council trains tra 1,000 teachers

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The last batch of 400 public school teachers in Bayelsa State on Monday commenced training under the sponsorship of Bayelsa Education Development Trust Fund (EDTF) and the British Council.

This batch will bring to 1000 the number of public school teachers in the state who have benefited in the partnership arrangement.School supplies

The EDTF, British Council and Teachers Training, Registration and Certification Board collaborated in the capacity development programme.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the five day capacity building program, Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah reiterated the commitment of the Bayelsa government to training and capacity of teachers in the state.

He noted that the improved teaching methodology in the state was responsible for the state producing the best student in the 2025 West African School Certificate Examinations.

Prof Ebimiowei, Executive Secretary at EDTF, noted that the collaboration is aimed at improving learning outcomes for pupils and students of public primary and secondary schools in Bayelsa.

“You will agree with me that until the cutlass is sharpened, it will have no impact on the hands of the farmer and so it is with our teachers., you need to be sharpened very well to give good delivery in your various classes and schools.

“Let me at this juncture appreciate the British Council for accepting to train 1,000 teachers, 50 education managers and 60 trainers for Bayelsa,” he said.

On his part, Chairman of the EDTF board, High Chief Fidelis Agbiki expressed appreciation to the Commissioner for Education Dr Gentle Emelah for his supportive role to the fund.

Agbiki urged the beneficiaries to justify the enormous resources invested by the government of Bayelsa by being dedicated within the five days the exercise would last.

He said; “This board will not operate on business as usual but on business unusual as we will push the frontiers outside the box to ensure that we get value for money,” Agbiki said.

Chairman of Development Partners Committee of the EDTF applauded the commitment of the partners for the successful completion of the programme, urging them to sustain the tempo

Speaking on the programme, Mr Fwanshishak Daniel, Head, English and Schools, British Council noted that the Bayelsa government had shown exemplary commitment to educational development.

He explained that the commitment has enabled the British Council and Bayelsa government to achieve within one year greater milestones that took other states three years to achieve.

He explained that the resources of the British Council have been made available to Bayelsa with the training of 60 resource persons from the state who will in turn train other teachers to improve education.

According to Daniel, the training will lay emphasis on new teaching methods, use of digital tools for self development and access to school amongst others.

Dr Peremoboere Ogola, Acting Chairman of TTRC, which facilitated training, thanked the EDTF for supporting training of teachers in Bayelsa with world class resources of the British Council.

She noted that another batch of newly recruited teachers are currently undergoing training at State government owned University of Africa, Toru Orua, Sagbama LGA in Bayelsa

News

RSG INAUGURATES ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY COMMITTEE

Published

4 days ago

November 24, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has inaugurated a Central Planning Committee to organize the celebration of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day (AFRD) in the State.

The committee was formally inaugurated by the Secretary to the State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba in Port Harcourt, last Thursday.

Dr Anabraba who also serves as Chairman of the Committee

highlighted the State Government’s deep appreciation for the sacrifices of Nigeria’s fallen heroes who laid down their lives for the nation’s peace and unity.

“These heroes have given their lives for the security and peace of our nation and deserve to be celebrated. The Armed Forces Remembrance Day is an opportunity to show our gratitude for their sacrifice,” he said.

Dr. Anabraba further extended recognition to all Security Agencies in the State, emphasizing the importance of the event in appreciating their contributions to national security and sovereignty.

The annual Armed Forces Remembrance Day, observed on January 15 across the country is dedicated to remember Nigeria’s departed soldiers and honouring the nation’s veterans.