Education
RIVCAS Postpones SUG Elections …Amid protests
The management of Rivers State College of Arts and Science,
Rumuola, Port Harcourt, says it has postponed the Students’ Union Government
(SUG) elections indefinitely.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the college, Mrs
Margareth Onyeso, stated this in an interview with The Tide in Port Harcourt.
Mrs Onyeso who was reacting to the students’ protest on
campus said it was a management decision to postpone the SUG elections till
further notice.
She said the postponement of the elections was also as a
result of some challenges the college had last year with two “so called” groups
within the college, adding that anybody who belongs to any cult group would not
be allowed to contest elections.
According to her, the position was made clear to the
students. Unforuantely, the college discovered through security reports that
four of those that went to the electoral college were part of the two interest
groups on campus, saying because of that, four persons were disqualified.
“They said it is one person but they are actually four
students that were disqualified. And their names have been published with the
reasons stated. Now some elements are trying to make it a political issue as if
management is involved but the truth is that the college is aware that Rivers
State has zero tolerance for any cult activities.”
“There are many innocent children on campus who need to be
protected including other lives and property and therefore it was decided that
everything about election should be postponed indefinitely, she explained.
The spokesperson of the college therefore advised the
students to go and prepare for their examinations because, according to her,
the examinations are starting off probably in the next two weeks.
Her words, “they should go and prepare for their
examinations but anything about elections has been put on hold till further
notice. That is the position of the Rivers State College of Arts and Science”.
Speaking on behalf of the students, an Ordinary Diploma (OND
2) student, Jack Jonah said the students were protesting because those who were
screened and eligible to contest the SUG elections were disqualified.
Eunice Choko-Kayode
The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro
