Education
School Tasks Nigerian Leaders On Corruption
A Senior Lecturer at the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Prof Donald Ibama Hamilton, has called on leaders in the country to rise up to against corruption, weak rule of laws, among other challenges confronting the growth and development of the nation.
Prof. Hamilton made the call while delivering his inaugural lecture at the 77th inaugural lectures organised by the Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, with the topic: ‘Strategy Making: Rocket Science’ with a charge for Nigeria leaders, relevant stakeholders to wake-up and fight corruption so as to address the high level of corruption index in the country.
Hamilton, who is a Professor in Business Policy and Strategy, further stated that there were well built virtual rockets that are scattered all over the place without a focused target to it’s destination.
“We have well built rockets littering everywhere because they are not fired through the proper destination. When you build a rocket, you have to have a destination for it to go, but if you build a rocket and you want to feel the rocket, that rocket will not get there as a result of corruption, weak rule of laws, among other challenges bedeviling the country, otherwise we are all doomed.
Citing a broken map of Nigeria, where the virtual rocket is sitting right on the broken space on the ground, he called on Nigerian leaders to fix the launch pad, the structure, saying: “There must be a fit between strategy and structure, adding that since the fit is not there, as such no matter how hard you try, the virtual rocket will not fly because it is sitting on the ground.
He described double taxation as a minor challenge confronting the country that can easily be sorted out by legislation.
On the issue of Managers and abuse of power, he explained that those who have power wished they have more as one sees everything good about it, but if power is used against such a person, he sees power as evil.
He said: “ As a husband you must exercise authority over your family, but in doing that your wife may feel you are too authoritative, but that does not mean that you shouldn’t at some points listen to what she is saying’’.
“In fact the greatest craving of a human being is to be respected no matter how small the person is, otherwise the person may not be able to do he or her job well. Afterall cleaner today can become a manager over the boss tomorrow,” the Prof added.
Hamilton described leaders as humble people, they are servants, saying: “Most times some leaders mistaken humility to bringing themselves down to the level of subordinate no, thinking that way is arrogance not humility. Why should you think you are better than anybody just because you are the manager and the person is your subordinate? The role can reverse, so we need to understand that.”
On his part, the Chairman Senate Lectures Committee, Prof Ikem Eweozor in his vote of thanks, stated that strategy making is like launching a virtual rocket, while commending the erudite Inaugural Lecturer for the interesting lecture delivery.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the RSU Vice-Chancellor, Prof Nlerum Okogbule stated that an inaugural lecture is an important occasion for those in academics, adding that it is an opportunity for them to showcase to the world the research that they have been able to carried out over the years as professors in the university.
He stressed that it is also an opportunity for them to showcase what they have done to better not just to the university, but also to the outside world, such as the policy makers, those in government and industries as well as been able to proffer solutions on how best to improve on the society that would in turn promote the work done by the academics in the university.
“It is also an opportunity for the professor to tell the world what he has been doing and the contributions he had made to the development of society at large. More importantly when we have a number of challenges as a nation, we need to refer to Professors to be able to see whether we can find any solution to solve some of those challenges.
“Our last inaugural lecture for example, dealt with environmental pollution, which is a problem, challenge to us, not only in the Niger Delta as every day you see illegal refineries cropping up here and there,” the VC added.
The university don remarked that it is important that whenever there is an invitation for an occasion such as this, members of the institution, well meaning individuals, lovers of education should honour such invitation, so as to appreciate the work that they are doing at the university, adding that they do not only teach, but carried out research for the benefit of the society and country at large.
Okogbule welcomed dignitaries present to the 77th Inaugural Lecture of the university, while specially commending members of the 13th governing council the university for always maintaining the tempo expected by the institution.
By: Susan Serekara-Nwikhana
The Executive Chairman of the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board, Alabo David Briggs and his Post Primary Schools Board, counterpart, Dr. Sam Emejuru recently embarked on a joint visit to Model Girls Secondary School, Mbodo Aluu in Ikwerre Local Government Arera of Rivers State.
Speaking to newsmen shortly after interacting with the students, Alabo Briggs said both of them were in the school to know how the students are faring, how happy they are, and to also know their areas of need and then take pragmatic decisions that would enhance the wellbeing of the students.
Describing the school as the only boarding school in Rivers State made up of Senior and Junior Secondary, the UBE boss said the visit has actually afforded them the opportunity to know what is lacking in the school, and promised that every machinery would be adequately put in place to ensure that the school is made more attractive and students well taken care of.
He further maintained that the Parents Teachers Association (PTA) and staff of the school must rise to the occasion so as to bring back the lost glory of the school and ensure that the students are treated and well handled like their own children.
Corroborating the UBE boss, Dr. Sam Emejuru of the Post Primary School promised that everything possible would be done to reposition the school, and appealed to all concerned to be patient.
During the visit, the two Board chairmen and their members met with the school authorities wherein issues bordering on the school were discreetly ironed out and some good changes made.
Alabo Briggs also gave cash to some of the students that performed well in the essay competition that took place in Port Harcourt.
The students were also given cartons of sanitary pads to mark the International Day of the Girl Child which was celebrated all over the world recently.
By: Akujobi Amadi
The Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) support programme on report writing for Chief Supervisors and Evaluators of the Local Government Areas took place recently at the UBE Board Headquarters in Port Harcourt.
Addressing the participants, the Board member in charge of Supervision/Monitoring, Chief Nwuke Anucha, described the programme as very interesting and educative as it is aimed at broadening the knowledge of the Chief Supervisors and Evaluators on report writing.
While thanking UBEC for the initiative, Chief Anucha also commended the resource persons who came from UBEC Abuja for doing a good job and appealed to the participants to see the support programme on report writing as an opportunity to do better.
Also speaking, the Board member, Project/Technical, Dr. Walson Ominini described the programme as a good one that all the participants must take seriously for the good of Rivers State.
Ominini used the medium to announce the personnel audit for staff of the Local Government Education Authorities in the three Senatorial zones coming up next week at the Board Headquarters adding that any staff of the LGEA who does not take part in the Audit should regard himself or herself as not being a staff of UBE.
In her vote of thanks, the Director, Quality Assurance, Mrs. Nnenna Osumenya thanked UBEC for the programme, and described it as a welcomed development.
She particularly thanked the Executive Chairman of the Board, Alabo David Briggs and the Board members for giving the programme the needed attention.
By: Akujobi Amadi
In cognizance of the value of reading in educational, career and knowledge pursuits, TotalEnergies Joint Venture(JV) Asset has committed itself to instilling the habit in students of secondary schools to enable them succeed in their academic pursuits and become good leaders of tommorow.
This, it is achieving through its Annual Book Reading and Open Day programme.
This year’s event, organised for Senior Secondary Schools in Rivers State,with the theme, ‘The World Is A Maze; Navigate It — Read’ and held at the Event Centre, TotalEnergies Office, PortHarcourt, explored the book, ‘Unexpected Joy At Dawn’ by Ghanaian author, Alex Agyei Agyiri.
Participating schools chosen across Port Harcourt included Government Technical College, PortHarcourt; Bishop Crowther Memorial Secondary School, Rumuobiakani; Oginigba Comprehensive Secondary School; Community Secondary School, Rumuomasi, and Hilltop Prime International College.
Others were Community Secondary School, Amadi-Ama; Government Senior Secondary School, Elekahia; Community Secondary School, Nkpogu; Dietams International Schools; and Community Secondary School, Abuloma.
In his address, the Deputy Managing Director, Joint Venture Asset, TotalEnergies EP, Nigeria Limited, Olivier Cassassoles, said reading habit remains a major essential needed for life’s development in information, direction and character building, and stressed the need for the students, many of whom he said would grow to become leaders to cultivate and sustain the culture.
Cassassoles, who was represented by the Executive Director, JV Asset, PortHarcourt, Obi Imemba, quoted former American President, Barack Obama’s words, “reading is the gateway skill that makes all other learning possible” and stated that “this clearly aligns with the theme of the day and implies that in order to successfully navigate the complexities of life, one needs to read”.
Cassassoles said “as students, many of you will grow to be leaders and leaders need a lot of information to stay relevant. The books you read will shape your future and through them you will find wisdom to make a difference”.
According to him, the book reading event is one that the company holds dear to heart as it promotes the culture of reading among students in Nigeria.
While encouraging the students to make conscientious effort to research good books with themes and characters that align with what they intend to do in future, Cassassoles expressed the hope that the students would commit themselves to a life of reading, adding that “I expect that you will be leaving here with a clearer idea of the career path you want to pursue “.
Also speaking, the State Commissioner for Education, Dr Ovy Chinedum Chukwuma, described this year’s theme as ‘most appropriate’ at a time when students have abandoned the text book for not only the phone – Whatsapp, Twitter etcetera but other vices.
Represented by the Technical Adviser to the Commissioner, Dr Joy Nwamaka Joseph, Chukwuma noted that reading is an effective tool for engaging students in critical thinking, saying “a student that reads focuses attention on the task at hand, immersing them in information and improving his/her concentration and memory”, insisting that students must read in order to navigate this maze-like world successfully.
The Commissioner commended TotalEnergies for “always seeking to improve the educational standards of our pupils, students, under/post graduates in our institutions and for inspiring them to develop the habit of reading as a life style”.
Earlier, the Country Communications Manager, TotalEnergies, Charles Ebereonwu, revealed that the annual reading event is part of the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility(CSR) targeted at making the best of future leaders.
In his closing remarks, the Special Adviser, People and Talent Management, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Samuel Nkwo, lauded the students for going beyond reading the book to taking lessons there from.
“What has happened here today has given us encouragement that this is a good thing to do and that we should continue to do it” Nkwo said.
Highlights of the event included reading and discussion of the book, ‘Unexpected Joy At Dawn’, questions and answers session and presentation of gift items including school bags, solar lamps, books among others to the students.
By: Lady Godknows Ogbulu