Nation
ASUU Strike: Parents, Candidates Opt For Private Universities
Many parents and candidates seeking admission into the universities for the 2022/2023 academic session have shifted their interest to private universities.
The survey in Abia shows that private universities have become feasible alternatives due to the lingering strike by lecturers in public universities.
The nationwide action by the lecturers, under the aegis of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), has paralysed academic activities in all the federal universities in the country since February 14.
The unfortunate development, which has become perennial in the country, appears to have betrayed the people’s confidence in public universities.
Worried by the scenario, many admission seekers in the country, aided by their parents and guardians, have now resorted to private universities.
At Madonna University, Okija in Anambra, the Public Relations Officer, Mr Emeka Okpara, said that most of the courses offered in both the Elele and Okija campuses of the institution were fully subscribed to in the just-concluded academic session.
According to Opara, since JAMB released the 2022 results, many people have been calling to enquire about our admission requirements.
A lecturer in the university, who pleaded anonymity, said the school had already exceeded its quota in some of the courses.
He said the institution presently stood the risk of being sanctioned by the National Universities Commission (NUC).
At the Tansian University, Umunya in Anambra, a member of staff in the Admission Department said that the university was already experiencing an upsurge in the number of admission seekers.
“We have had good students’ enrollment since the university was established about 15 years ago.
“However, the level of enrollment increased last year,” he said on the condition of anonymity.
He ascribed the development to the ongoing industrial action by ASUU, in addition to the “excellent academic performance” by the institution.
Mr Lawrence Nwaimo, who is seeking admission to Paul University, Awka, said the school had commenced admission for the 2022/2023 academic session.
Nwaimo said there were many candidates struggling to gain admission due to the limited chances in the institution.
“I have been going to the university since last week and I usually met a crowd of people in the admission office each time I came there,” he said.
In Ebonyi, the Public Relations Officer,Evangel University, Dr Thenz Nwali, said that the incessant strikes by ASUU and Non-Academic Staff Union in public universities led to more students seeking admission into the institution.
An official in the university’s Admission Department also said on the condition of anonymity that many candidates were coming to the institution to seek admission.
He said: “The incessant strikes in the public universities have pushed up students enrollment in our school.
“Even the candidates who did not have our institution either as first or second choice are coming to seek admission here.”
In Abia, the Vice Chancellor, Clifford University, said that the 2021/2022 academic session had just ended and that enrollment for the 2022/2023 session had yet to commence.
“We will begin to enroll new students in October.
“That is when we will start to see the impact of the strike, whether there is an improvement or not,” the VC said.
“So, for now, we do not know what the impact of the strike will be on the enrollment of students,” Omeonu said.
He further said that available statistics from the previous enrollments did not show any increase as a result of ASUU strikes.
Also, Prof. Ambrose Ugbogu, the Vice Chancellor of All Saints University of Theology and Seminary, said that the statistics of the university’s enrollment had not revealed any increase in the past six months.
Ugbogu said that the charges by private universities could be one of the factors discouraging students from switching from public to private universities.
“Also, those who were already admitted into public universities would not want to relinquish their admission,” he said.
He, however, admitted that some undergraduates and parents might begin to contemplate changing institutions, should the strike linger into the commencement of the 2022/2023 academic session.
The Principal Assistant Registrar/Head, Media and Public Relations, Gregory University, Uturu, Mr Sleek Ogwo, said it would be difficult to give any statistics of enrollment, when admission for the 2022/2023 had not begun.
Ogwo said that the university had just concluded its 2021/2022 session and would soon begin the admission process.
“We can only ascertain whether there is an increase in enrollment compared to our previous records around October, when we should be done with admission,” he said.
A parent, who identified herself as Mrs Gloria Duru, said that she had lost interest in public universities because of the incessant disruptions in academic activities due to industrial disputes between ASUU and the Federal Government.Duru said that the private universities had provided an alternative, provided one could afford the financial resources.
She said that she had been able to secure admission for two of her children at both Cliford University and Gregory University, Uturu.
In Imo, Rev. Fr. Emeka Iheme, a Lecturer at the Department of Philosophy, Claretian University of Nigeria, Nekede, near Owerri, said the institution was expecting more than double the number of students admitted in the last session.
Iheme said that the university admitted at least 71 students in their first academic session in 2021, when the institution was established.
He said at least 300 prospective students had so far enrolled for the next session billed to commence in October.
He argued that the ASUU strike could be a factor since parents and guardians were confident that their children and wards would graduate in record time in private universities.
He further opined that the increase in the number of the university’s enrollment could be attributable to the introduction of new courses scheduled to start next session, following their accreditation by NUC.
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Nation
Bodo-Bonny Road: Julius Berger Workforce Maintains Steady Work to ensure timely delivery
Julius Berger Maintains Commitment to Timely Delivery with Holiday Work Schedule In the spirit of progress and dedication, workers on the Bodo-Bonny Road project, a transformative construction project awarded to Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, have continued their efforts undeterred by the Yuletide season. For many, the opportunity to contribute to the development of their communities through this landmark infrastructure project is a source of pride and fulfillment.
The 37.9 km road project, which connects Bodo in Gokana Local Government Area to Bonny Island in Rivers State, stands as a beacon of hope for the operational communities.
Julius Berger’s workforce, comprising a significant number of local indigenes, has been steadfast in their commitment to ensuring the project’s timely completion despite the challenging technical and logistical demands
The construction of this critical infrastructure requires specialized techniques and construction methodologies, including extensive sand filling for soil stabilization, to ensure a suitable foundation for construction.
The project also necessitates meticulous planning and coordination by the workforce and their supervisors, further underscoring the skill and precision involved in executing this project.During the holiday season, workers were seen diligently engaged in other activities such as base course installation, and sand-cement stabilization at key sections, including Apha Creek Bridge and Opobo Channel Bridge, the sight of heavy equipment from leading manufacturers like Caterpillar and Volvo further revealed the scale and complexity of the project.
Speaking about the project, John Hart, a member of the project team from Gokana, shared the pride he and his colleagues feel about the project,
“This road means everything to us. It connects our people to opportunities and development. For those of us working here, it’s more than a job, it’s our contribution to building a future for our communities.
Even during the holidays, we’re happy to give our all.”
Appreciating the team’s dedication, The Project Manager, Tim Nippert noted that, “Our workforce continues to exceed expectations. Working through the holidays and navigating the difficult terrain demonstrates their resolve and passion for delivering this project. Their ability to maintain steady progress under these conditions is truly remarkable.”
The Bodo-Bonny Road project is a critical component of Nigeria’s infrastructure development agenda. Featuring a 2-lane road with hard shoulders, 17 bridges spanning 3,200 meters, and reinforced concrete pavement on Bonny Island, it is designed to overcome environmental challenges while improving connectivity and stimulating socio-economic growth.
Nation
HYPREP Trains Students On Petroleum Jelly, Liquid Soap Making
In a bid to meaningfully engage secondary school students in Ogoniland during the Christmas holidays and beyond, the Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project(HYPREP) has trained them on petroleum jelly and liquid soap making.
This is even as the Project has partnered with the National Orientation Agency(NOA) and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) to keep the students away from crime and other related social vices during the Yuletide, by giving them pep talks that would put them on their toes during the period.
This came to the fore as HYPREP recently organised an Ogoni Young Men Mentorship programme and life skill workshop with the theme, ‘Career Coaching: Developing The Young Minds’ at Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Bori, headquarters of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The beneficiaries of the programme are essentially members of environmental clubs in 13 schools in four local government areas of Khana, Gokana, Tai and Eleme.
At the event, both NOA and NDLEA gave career talks to the students, aimed at keeping them off social vices like drug abuse and addiction as well as negative peer influences through out the Christmas holidays and beyond.
Speaking at the event, the Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof NeinibariniZabbey said the Project deemed it necessary to invite the National Orientation Agency and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency(NDLEA) to speak to the students in order to shield them from negative peer influences as they are preparing to go for the Christmas holidays.
He explained that the workshop would enable the students to know when the signs of the negative peer influences start coming.
Zabbey, who was represented at the occasion by HYPREP’s Head of Sustainable Livelihood, Mrs Josephine Nzidee, said the Project is not only going to train the beneficiaries but also give them the tools and skills that would grow them in the future so that they would start making money for themselves.
Also addressing the students, the Rivers State Coordinator of the National Orientation Agency(NOA), Mr Young Ayo-Tamuno expressed delight for meeting young minds, to discuss issues on values, describing it as a great opportunity.
He noted that there are seven values which constitute the role and commitment of the government towards the citizenry and another seven core values which constitute the code for the citizens.
While commending HYPREP for organising the event, Ayo-Tamuno said team work is key to making Nigeria a better place for all, as both the government and the citizens have their respective roles to play, with each staying committed and focused.
The Chief Programme Officer of NOA, Mr Henry Ayede was the one who actually mounted the rostrum and drilled the students on the seven core values embodied in the National Value Charter for citizens, and stressed the need for them to imbibe them and put them to practice as they grow up.
Ayede listed the values to include discipline, duty of care, leadership, tolerance and respect, transparency, environmental awareness and resilience.
He also underscored the need for the students to imbibe the spirit of hard work and dignity of labour, contending that while hard work and dedication contribute to success, every job can contribute to national development.
According to him, dignity in labour is the foundation of success.
On his part, Mr Bill Ebiokpo of the Media/ Advocacy Unit of NDLEA, who represented the Bori Area Commander of the agency, advised the students to guard against drug abuse and addiction, which he said have far reaching consequences.
The Principal of the Senior Secondary of Birabi Memorial Grammar School, Barrister Bob Agbozi thanked HYPREP for organising the programme, which he said enriched his knowledge and that of the students on the core values guiding the society, saying inculcating such values in young people and teaching them practical skills have contributed immensely to the greatness of advanced countries and even countries like Rwanda in Africa.
He noted that the career coaching would change the behavioral pattern of the students particularly during the Yuletide.
He also thanked NOA for the career talks and urged it to replicate the programme in other places, not only in schools but also in market places.
The training of the students on petroleum jelly and liquid soap making was anchored by an expert, MrsLekpa Abel, with HYPREP workers lending a helping hand.
It was, indeed, a practical session with the students, who came face to face with the production materials of the products.
Donatus Ebi
Nation
Community Organises Civic Reception For LG Boss
It was celebration galore as the people of Isu Community in Etche Local Government Area of River State held a civic reception in honour of the Council Chairman, Dr Uzodinma Nwafor .
The epoch- making ceremony which took place recently at the community ancestral home saw the attendance of the political class, the clergy, opinion leaders, the academia, youths, women, elders and chiefs gather to honour their brand new chairman.
In his remarks, the Chairman of Etche Local Government Council, Dr Uzodinma Nwafor expressed gratitude to the people for according him such honour, saying it shows their unwavering support to the development of Etche.
Nwafor announced the readiness of his administration to embark on electrification of Ozuzu clan including Isu community.
The Etche council boss also said the market at Isu will be reconstructed to improve the economic life of the people.
He revealed that the two projects will commence in January as efforts are on to mobilise the contractors.
Nwafor told the mammoth crowd that his major concern remains, peace and unity of the entire Etche, saying security of lives and property remains top on his agenda as no meaningful development can thrive in an atmosphere of violence.
He urged parents to encourage their wards and children to refrain from violence and embrace peace. “Let us allow Etche to be at peace .Don’t allow any body to use you set Etche ablaze. Parents advise your children to stay away from crime .We must stay in peace and unity. Our children must shun violence ,it can’t take us anywhere as a people ,” he declared.
He thanked the people for their support as well thank their son, former commissioner for Energy ,Okey Amadi for being a Pilar of his political sojourne.
Earlier, the Isu opinion leader and Principal, Community Secondary School, Mgbosomini in Obio/ Akpor Local Government Area, Mr Chijioke Amadi said the honour done Etche chairman was a collective division of his people.
Amadi described the council boss as an illustrious son who has contributed immensely to the wellbeing of the community.
He declared that his community and the entire Etche will keep supporting him because he is doing well.
Amadi urged the people to keep praying for him and the Rivers State Governor to succeed in delivering dividends of democracy.