Rivers
IAUE Promotes 51 Staff To Professors, Associate Professors
Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) has promoted 17 academic staff to the rank of Professor, and another 34 to Associate Professors (Readers).
Acting Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, disclosed this during an Emergency Senate Meeting, held on Wednesday at the Postgraduate Hall.
While congratulating those affected on behalf of the 12th Governing Council, the Acting Vice Chancellor reminded them that higher position means higher responsibilities.
He urged them to continue to stand out by doing their jobs very well and providing the needed leadership in their various fields of discipline.
Professor Onuchuku, who also congratulated non-teaching staff promoted, informed that they would get the monetary value attached to the promotion and expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Joseph Fubara, for prioritising education and for the financial benefits.
He advised staff to eschew hatred and bitterness and to give their subordinates what is due them irrespective of tribe and religion.
He implored Members not to “bear grudges, but be good to others at all times, even in the face of prosecution, and allow divine justice to reign supreme”.
With this promotion, the University now has 97 Professors.
Those promoted to the rank of Professors in the Faculty of Agriculture are: Joseph E. I. Ansa (Professor of Agronomy).
The Faculty of Education has Okai N. Okai (Professor of Administration of Higher Education); Tamunodienye Mba (Professor of Curriculum Teacher/Education); Marilyn Ochoma (Professor of Curriculum and Instruction); Nwankwoala H. N. L. (Professor of Educational Management); Ibiene T. LongJohn (Professor of Educational Measurement and Evaluation); Dagogo A. F. Daminabo (Professor of Sociology of Education); and Josephine E. Elekwa (Professor of Sociology of Education).
Faculty of Humanities has Anthony Adele Orlu (Professor of Environmental Literature); Israel N. Johnson (Professor of Church History); Ante James Eteka (Professor of African Literature in French); Bernadette C. Ugochukwu (Professor of Music Pedagogy—2021); and Charles G.T. Omuaru (Professor of Sculpture).
In Faculty of Management Sciences there are: Jude Nwoka (Professor of Human Resource Management); Nwakaego Chukwuigwe (Professor of Organisational Behaviour); Israel Umesi (Professor of Accountancy, Tax Management).
Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education has Azunwena Reginah N. (Professor of Home Economics Education).
Those appointed Associate Professors (Readers) are, Faculty of Agriculture: Wilcox G. Ibim (Agricultural Economics and Extension); and Eunice N. Ajie (Agricultural Economics, Agric Marketing).
In the Faculty of Education, there are: Love Nwamadi (Guidance and Counselling); Emmanuel Okwu (Library and Information Science); Iyagba Philemon W. (Educational Psychology); Amadi-Ali Beatrice O. (Early Childhood and Primary Education); and Jerome I. Wosu (History and Policy of Education).
For the Faculty of Humanities, there are: Grace Lawrence-Hart (Religious and Cultural studies); and Emeka Ikechi (African Literature -202)
Faculty of Management Sciences has Dumo Opara (Human Resources Management and Organisational Behaviour); Lawrence Amadi (Strstegic Marketing and Entrepreneurship); Ikechi Prince Obinna (Consumer Behaviour and Sustainable Marketing); Godswill Chinedu Chukwu (Consumer Behaviour and Strategic Marketing); Joy A. Mekuri-Ndimele (Human Resources Management and Office and Information Management); and Victor Chima Anucha (Marketing, Green Marketing).
The Faculty of Natural and Applied Sciences has China Worukwu (Science Education); Comfort Emma Elechi (Community Health Education and Promotion); Glory Godspower- Echie (Science Education); Nwala Longinus (Science Education); Ibim Dagogo Franklin (Geophysics); Nchelem R. George (Mathematics Education); and Constance I. Amannah (Computer Science).
Faculty of Social Sciences has Ukpere Dennis Tobins (Rural Development and Resources Management); David Baride Ngeh (Sociology of Development); Poroma Celestine Lekia (Industrial Relations and Human Resource Management); Nwiekpugi B. Poronakie (Regional Development Planning); Okwakpam I. Omenuihu (Environmental Management); Wabah Goodnews (Medical Sociology); Odike Ebenezer Levi (Sociology of Development); Leelee N. Deekor (Development Economics); and Iwarimie B. Uranta (Political Theory and Methodology).
For the Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, there are: Joseph O. Amaechi (Industrial Technical Education); Paulinus Emennu (Industrial Technical Education); and Salome Emeya (Agricultural Education).
At the non-teaching staff category, those promoted as Directors are: Rose K. Okah; Priscilla M. Oriji; Obi N. Wichendu; Didia Christopher; Wilson E. Ibokama; Chisa Egu; and Emejuru Chioma.
Also promoted in the Bursary Department are: Ikuru Osekeigak Bertram (Director); Graham-Kingsley Gift(Deputy Bursar); and Nicholas O. Nkwoji (Deputy Bursar).
In the Audit Unit, there is Elechi Innocent Alete (Deputy Director, Audit), while those appointed as Deputy Registrars are: Queen A. Ikhumni; Kate Ukwoma O; Dorathy N. Abinusawa; Barnabas Obi Emordi; Uchenna P. Nwankwo; Wawhua Christiana B.; Eucharia Chigbu O.; Nyebuchi Owabie; Tom-West Igbaniboba J.; Felicia Court; and Daughter O. Wugate; Legborsi Kara John.
For the position of Chief Confidential Secretary 1, there are: Elizabeth O. Wike; and Gooba E. B. Ikiriko.
Health Services Department has only Dr. Destiny Osuchukwu as Deputy Director, Health Services, same thing with Laboratory Technology which also have only Felix Tennyson Chioma as Chief Technologist 1
Also, the Security Department has only Mr. Nwidua Nwibari as Chief Security Officer 1.
The management of the Rivers State University, (RSU), Nkpolu Oroworukwu Port Harcourt has admitted eleven thousand and eighty-three students to study in various disciplines and courses for 2024/2025 academic sessions in the university.
The vice chancellor of the university,prof Isaac Zeb-Obipi disclosed this during his address at the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the institution held at the convocation arena in Port Harcourt, last Friday.
Zeb-obipi expressed delight that it was a privilege to welcome everyone to the momentous occasion, marking the beginning of an exciting academic journey for the new students and described matriculation as an important ceremony organised by institutions, especially universities.
“Though this is the 43rd matriculation ceremony of the university,it is the first under my watch as vice chancellor, and I am highly excited that I am having my tail cut in the conduct of this significant ritual of matriculation.”
“Once again, I give God all the glory and thank the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, the 14th Governing council under the leadership of Her Excellency, Hon. Justice Mary Odili and the host of others who played one role or the other in my emergence as the vice chancellor. May I also use this opportunity to acknowledge my co-contenstants that made the selection a worthy competition, especially Prof Adolphus J. Toby and prof Nkalo H.Ukoima. There is no doubt that they all mean well for the university and as such i am studying the various vision statements they had submitted for possible inclusion in the efforts to implement what we have, “he stated.
He explained that his vision is to transform the university into a world class, innovative, inclusive institution, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and social responsibility through the re-engineering of the university’s academic, administrative, and community engagement frameworks to ensure that they are student centric, faculty driven, community oriented responsive to the need of the 21st century.
According to him the university aim to achieve the visions by enhancing academic programmes to meet global standards, strengthening research capacity and promoting innovation and improving infrastructure and facilities to support teaching, learning research, and fostering partnerships with industries, government, and other stakeholders to promote community engagement and entrepreneurship among others.
The VC while giving the statistics of the administration said a total of 29,107 candidates took the university as first choice in the 2024 JAMB Examination, 16,172 qualified the institution 190 cutoff mark, 15,348 registered for the post UTME, while 15,014 participated in university test and out of the number,11,083 was admitted.
The VC while congratulating the matriculants, urged them to shun any forms of social vices such as cultism, examination malpractices, sorting and indicent dressing, adding that the the school has zero tolerance on indiscipline and other anti social behaviours that are detrimental to societal growth.
Akujobi Amadi
The Vice Chairman of Opobo Council of Chiefs, Alabo Edwin Cockeye Brown has joined the chorus of voices calling for an immediate end to the suspension of democratically elected officials in Rivers State.
The Opobo chiefs Council’s vice chair who was speaking on the sidelines at an emergency stakeholders’ congress of the INC held at the Ijaw House in Yenagoa last Wednesday, emphasized the gravity of the suspension of a state governor, deputy and legislators, characterizing it as an unprecedented assault on the democratic process.
He argued that suspending an elected governor and the state legislature not only undermine the mandate given by the electorate but also poses a significant threat to the political stability of the state. Brown further declared the suspension as “an aberration and travesty of the constitution.”
His words, “Even though the Nigerian Constitution grants the President powers to declare a state of emergency under Section 305, it does not authorize the suspension of democratically elected officials, such as governors or members of the legislature. The proper procedure for removing a governor is outlined in Section 188 of the Constitution, which requires legislative processes rather than executive fiat”.
Brown went on, “The unconstitutional suspension of democratically elected government officials is a Slowly but surely dismantling of democratic structures. This will not help our fledgling democracy, but will destroy all the gains so far made in this democratic dispensation”.
“This is not just about Governor Fubara; it is about every citizen of Rivers State who participated in a democratic election,” he stated. He added, “Injustice in Rivers State is injustice all over Nigeria because we are all governed by one constitution.”
He expressed concern that such actions could set a dangerous precedent, eroding public trust in the electoral system and democratic institutions across Nigeria.
He further articulated the historical context of the Ijaw struggle for
representation, highlighting the community’s long-standing grievances
regarding political marginalization.
“For over 24 years, we have fought to regain our rightful place in governance,” Brown remarked. “To have that struggle undermined by a unilateral decision from the federal government is not just
frustrating—it is an affront to our identity and aspirations as Ijaw people.”
Brown called for a united front among Ijaw leaders and communities,
urging them to resist any attempts to divide or silence their voices.
He underscored the importance of dialogue and reconciliation as vital
pathways to resolving the ongoing crisis, rather than resorting to forceful measures that could exacerbate tensions. “We must engage with
the federal government, but we will do so on our terms,” he insisted.
In closing, Brown reaffirmed his commitment to the principles of
justice and equity, emphasizing that the Ijaw people would not back down in their quest for recognition and respect.
“We are prepared to stand firm and advocate for our rights. Our
history is rich with leaders who have fought for us, and we will not
allow their sacrifices to be in vain,” he concluded, rallying support
for a peaceful resolution that honors the democratic process and the will of the Rivers people.
The high-profile one-day stakeholders’ meeting brought together
influential Ijaw leaders, including Bayelsa State Governor, Douye
Diri, his deputy, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo; former Rivers State
Governor and Amanyanabo of Twon-Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff; former Rivers Governor, Chief Rufus Ada-George; and former Bayelsa Deputy
Governor, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John Jonah.
Also in attendance were the Speaker of the Bayelsa State House of
Assembly, Abraham Ingobere; National Chairman of the Pan Niger Delta
Forum (PANDEF), Dr. Boladei Igali; prominent traditional rulers from
various parts of Ijawland; the President of the Ijaw Youth Council
(IYC), Jonathan Lokpobiri and many other notable Ijaw leaders from across the Niger Delta.