Education
VC Urges Matriculants To Be Studious, Obey Rules, Regulations
Over 7,000 matriculants newly admitted into various departments of the Ignatius Ajuru University for the 2023/2024 have been charged to be studious and to obey the rules and regulations of the institution.
Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Okechuku Onuchuku gave the charge, last Saturday during the 50th matriculation ceremony at the institution’s main campus, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt.
Speaking while declaring the event open, Prof. Onuchuku explained the importance of education to individuals and the society.
The Vice Chancellor urged students to be hard working and studious to become good ambassadors of the institution to enable them put smiles on the faces of their parents.
The university teacher however, advised them to toe the path of academic excellence as well as contribute meaningfully to the progress of the country, adding that association is right, but should be the type that will guide them to come out in flying colours.
The Professor also charged students to take their studies seriously as well as to be creative and innovative to achieve success in life.
Prof Onuchuku further charged them to shun cultism, examination malpractices, indecent dressing, among other related vices or face sanctions.
The Acting Vice Chancellor of the IAUE revealed that students who could not meet up with the institution’s academic grades would be rusticated from the school, while advising parents and guardians to promptly pay the fees of their children and wards, monitor their academic performances and assist the institution achieve its desired objectives.
“Total number of matriculants today is 7,338 and we have a total of 54 programmes in this university out of which 47 are fully accredited and the other remaining seven have been successfully verified. “One of the first charge I gave to them is to take their studies seriously and ensure that they don’t join secret cults and I also told them that they need to obey the university’s rules. We have handed over to them the university’s academic statement and rules and regulations of the university. After the first year, their results would be computed and if they don’t have a minimum of 1.5 CPGA, they will be placed under probation and while on that probation, you can even change department to see which department you will actually be comfortable with, but after the second year, if you are still below 1.5, then, you would be asked to withdraw from the programme,” Onuchuku said.
Also speaking in an interview with The Tide, some newly matriculated students of the university had this to say.
According to Ngozi Nkem, “I am coming from a poor background coupled with the harsh economic realities, yet, my parents are able to sponsor my education and I promise I will live up to their expectations”. On her part, one of the female students stated that it took her time to gain admission into university of her choice, but that today God has made her dream come to pass, while promising to abide by the rules and regulations of the unversity and to shun all social vices capable of jeopardising her future.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
Education
Ebonyi NUT Declares Indefinite Strike In Seven LGAs
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The Ebonyi State Chapterter of the Nigeria Union of Teachers, NUT, has declared an indefinite strike in seven local government areas in the State.
The strike action, according to the union, is due to non payment of three months salaries to some teachers in the affected local government area.
A statement issued on Thursday by the union’s secretary, Bassey Asuquo, listed the affected local government areas as Ebonyi, Edda, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ivo, Ishielu and Ohaukwu.
The statement reads, “Sequel to our earlier notice on mobilization for industrial strike action, we have thoroughly reviewed the compliance of local government chairmen regarding the clearance of our members’ salaries.
“As of the close of work today, February 5, 2025, we acknowledge that certain local government areas have cleared the salaries of our members.
“However, we regret to inform you that several local government chairmen have failed to clear the backlog of our members’ outstanding salaries.
“In response to this non-compliance, we hereby declare indefinite strike action in the following Local Government Areas: Edda, Ebonyi, Ezza South, Ezza North, Ishielu, Ivo and Ohaukwu.
“All our state and branch officers in the affected local government areas are instructed to adhere strictly to this directive and ensure the immediate enforcement of the strike action from 12:00am on Thursday 6th February, 2025.
“This includes organizing and maintaining solidarity picket lines and monitoring the Compliance of the strike action across the affected localities”, the statement said.
The Union noted that failure of the local government chairmen to meet their obligations to its members is unacceptable and vowed not relent until its demands are met.
“We call on all members to remain steadfast and continue their support for the strike action.”
Education
LG Boss Inaugurates 11-Man Scholarship Board
The Chairman of Omuma Local Government Council of Rivers State, Hon Promise Reginald has inaugurated an 11- man scholarship education board headed by Dr Bigman Nwala.
Hon Reginald, while inaugurating the board at a brief ceremony held at the chairman’s chamber at Eberi on Wednesday, charged them to be fair and apolitical in the discharge of their duties.
He stated that his administration is committed to ensuring that the local government area improves the education standard of the people.
He urged them to ensure that every student of the local government origin is given equal opportunity, both the children of the poor and the rich, adding that the desire of his administration is to see that the people of Omuma are not educationally backwards.
According to him, the scholarship scheme is open to all students of Omuma origin who have gained admission into any institutions of higher learning, stressing that the essence is to ensure that his administration leaves a legacy and also encourages the youths who will take after them to be educated.
The chairman told the board that from now till December this year, the council will be sending three Omuma students to United Kingdom on over seas scholarship, and announced that the scholarship scheme will take off immediately with 10 beneficiaries.
He congratulated them on their appointments and urged them to be transparent and fair in all their dealings, stressing that they were chosen based on their track records and as well as their efforts to advance education in the area.
Earlier in his acceptance speech, the Chairman of the board,Dr Bigman Nwala thanked the chairman for the confidence reposed in them, and assured him that they will work towards realising the objectives of the board.
By: Akujobi Amadi
Education
Council Boss Charges Corps Members To Promote Peace
Corps members have been enjoined to promote, preach and practise the culture of peace and in doing so, emulate the virtues of Governor Siminalayi Fubara as an icon of peace.
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government Council, Hon. Israel Aposi stated this yesterday at the NYSC permanent orientation camp, Nonwa-Gbam, Tai when he addressed the 2024 Batch C Stream II corps members.
He charged the corps members whom he joined to observe the inter-platoon cultural carnival to respect the culture of the people of their host community and live in peace with them.
Continuing, the highly elated council boss further expressed deep admiration for the corps members’ ingenuity to package the rich cultural heritage of ethnic groups outside of their own, stating that from what he saw on display, Nigeria will be great again if peace, love, mutual understanding, tolerance and respect for one another thrive in the country.
Welcoming the chairman to the camp, the State Coordinator of NYSC, Rivers State, Mr. Moses Oleghe appreciated him immensely for the visit, first, to motivate and inspire the corps members and secondly, to witness firsthand, the beauty and creativity of corps members as well as the positive energy they put into packaging the NYSC inter-platoon cultural carnival.
He used the occasion to enjoin the corps members to be a source of light in the various communities they are to serve by promoting decent cultural practices among the people.
At the end of the inter-platoon cultural carnival competition, Platoon 3 emerged first position; Platoon 10, second position; and Platoon 7, third position.
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