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VC Charges Students On SIWES

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The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, has charged students of the university to take the Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) seriously for them to be self-reliant and self-sufficient.
He gave the charge during the SIWES orientation workshop held recently at the university auditorium.
The Acting Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Head of Ndele Campus and Dean, Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education, Professor Isaac Ogundu, said the workshop would provide solutions to most of the likely problems that they would encounter in society.
He emphasized that SIWES is a vital tool for combating poverty, unemployment and other economic challenges, and advised them to pay rapt attention and ask relevant questions to be guided.
The Acting Director, SIWES Dr. Silverline Igweagbara, in her address, expressed gratitude to the Acting Vice Chancellor for his support towards the programme and to staff who assisted in making the programme a success.
She thanked students who found time to participate, noting that “though the economy is hitting everyone hard, those with SIWES knowledge would none-the-less survive the hardships because they are equipped with the right training”.
Dr. Igweagbara expressed optimism that the students would make the university proud as they enter the workforce. She also expressed hope that they would use the requisite skills acquired and not bother about the ups and downs of the labour market, especially as the two certificates (theory and practical) acquired would expose them to both the white collar job and the practical skills to survive on their own.
She, however, warned that there are penalties for every mistake resulting from ignorance of the important aspects of their programme.
In his remarks, the Area Manager and Assistant Director of Training, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Rumuokwuta Area Office, Mr. Cabral Angereke, noted that the 2024 SIWES orientation marks a significant milestone in the process of equipping students with the desired knowledge and practical experience through their participation in Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES).
He disclosed that the exercise is necessary as it affords students the opportunity of getting detailed information on the standard of behaviour and performance standards that is expected of them before, during and after the period of their SIWES attachment.
Mr. Angereke informed that “SIWES is a skill training programme designed to expose and prepare students to fit in properly in industrial work situations after graduation”.
He further stated that the scheme “provides students with the opportunity to expose and familiarise themselves with the gained experience in handling equipment and machinery that are usually not available in their institutions”.
While thanking the Acting Vice Chancellor and his Management team for their support in carrying out the Federal Government mandate in SIWES, he urged the students to listen and ask constructive questions that clarifications can be given to equip them properly for the experience and in order to minimise mistakes during the attachment period.
The orientation, according to Angereke, “will x-ray the roles of various stakeholders in the SIWES programme, and the use of various forms and documentations before, during and after the SIWES attachment”.
Also speaking, the Assistant Director of Training and Head of Training, Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Rumuokwuta Area Office, Mrs. Gloria Henry Ekwuruke, informed that the scheme was established because of the growing concerns amongst industrialists that graduates of Nigeria Tertiary Institutions of Higher Learning lacked adequate employable skills in industries.
She noted that employers were of the opinion that the theoretical education going on in Higher Institutions do not match the skills needed by the employers of labour, this therefore, necessitated the initiation of the Industrial Training Fund, a scheme introduced and designed to equip students with necessary skills of handling employers’ machinery and equipment as well as gaining the needed practical skills in the course of learning.
Mrs. Ekwuruke stressed the need for students to take the programme seriously, explaining that as a former student of IAUE, the experiences that she gained from “School to Land” where she did her SIWES attachment as an Agricultural Science student helped her to secure an A grade in her examination because she wrote from the practical experiences that she gathered from the programme.
She also stressed the need for students to be safety conscious and to apply safety rules and measures while carrying out their duties during the period.
On her part, the SIWES and Principal Accountant of ITF, Mrs. Adejare Opeyemi, admonished the students to be “good ambassadors, leave good legacy, and not mess up the place with your bad attitude and deprive others behind you of the opportunity”.
She told the students that though the stipend that is given to them is small, the knowledge and experience that they stand to gain from the scheme cannot be quantified in monetary value.
Mr. London Ajoku, SIWES Schedule and Principal Training Officer, also enlightened the students on how to fill their log books, general administration and documentations during the six months exercise where they are expected to apply theoretical concepts to real world problems and to develop essential skills in communication, team work, time management, network building and problem solving to prepare them for their future career.
The SIWES is a programme designed for Nigerian students in Tertiary Institutions to gain practical experiences in their chosen field of study.
The scheme provides students with hands-on experience and bridges the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It enhances their employability skills after graduation and foster collaboration between academia and industry.

By: Sogbeba Dokubo

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Rivers

Crisis Looms In Emohua Over Land Grabbing Allegation On Awuse

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There are palpable indications that if urgent steps are not taken promptly, major crisis may errupt in parts of Emohua Community in Emohua Local Government Area of the Rivers State.
This is sequel to land grabbing allegations against its King, the Nne Nwe Eli Emohua, HM, King Sergeant Chidi Awuse, by members of the Mgboh Royal family.
The people penultimate week, in a peaceful protest, called on the Rivers State Government and other relevant authorities to urgently come to their rescue.
Speaking during the protest walk to Government House in Port Harcourt, one of the protesters, Chief Nwosu Okachukwu, alleged that the land grabbers, working under the directives of King Sergeant Awuse, have commenced fencing of the disputed land despite a court order barring them for proceeding with work until the court hears the substance of their case.
“We are protesting because this land belongs to Mgbo family. We’ve written several times to the Commissioner of Police and others, no any action. The matter is also in the court.
“Sergeant Awuse and the group, they are the ones. We want government to intervene over this, come to our aid and hear what we are shouting, what we’re crying, because we want peace, we’re the peace-loving family”, he said.
Another member of the Mgboh Royal Family, Ogbondah Samuel, while appealing for swift government intervention, said the land in question is where their farms were and where they also rear animals.
Speaking in pidgin English, Samuel said Awuse is not a member of the Royal Family and that he just came and took over what belongs to them because nobody gave it to him.
He continued that if the land was officially given to Awuse, he would have also gotten the C of O, and with the Seal of the Royal Family.
“Let government come and help us. Give us what belongs to us because we don’t have strength. As you are seeing us, we’re facing hunger”, he said.
The protesters carrying placards with various inscription appealed for urgent government intervention to salvage the situation and prevent violence that may arise between Mgboh Royal Family members and agents of the land grabbers.
Some of the inscriptions read: “Our Land is not for sale”, “lies cannot prevent our truth”, “Awuse, you are not from Mgboh Royal Family and will not be”, “Awuse, you cannot purchase Royalty with money”, and “live the way God has created you”.
In his reaction, His Majesty, Ohna Chidi Sergeant Awuse, Nye Nweli Emohua XIII, Oloh IV, and Paramount Ruler of Emohua Kingdom, described the protesters as merchants of crimes and vices, who have through financial inducement taken advantage of a less fortunate circumstance of some individuals to stage a defamation protest against the personality of Ohna .
The monarch, who reacted through a statement issued by his press team, wondered the reason for a protest in a matter which the protesters had already taken to court and is still pending .
The statement further alleged that those behind the protest are the same group of people that peddled the death rumour of Awuse sometime last year while he was on medical trip abroad .
The statement further alleged that the sponsors of the protesters are fully aware of the absence of the King, who is again away on a medical trip in London, and for which they consider a good opportunity to manipulate lies against facts.
While exonerating the Emohua King of the protesters’ allegation of any other wrong doings, the statement appealed to the unsuspecting members of the public, the Emohua people, and the Rivers State Government to be wary of the protesters and to advise Royal Father’s accusers to purge themselves of evil capable of triggering break down of peace and order in the Kingdom, which it said has witnessed peace and stability since the Ohna Sergeant Awuse mounted the saddle of leadership.

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Rivers

NAFDAC Destroys N4.7bn Worth Expired, Substandard Products In Rivers

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The National Agency For Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has sai it destroyed fake, expired, substandard drugs worth N4.7 billion in Rivers State.
The Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Christiana Adeyeye, made the remark during the destruction exercise at the Rivers State dump site in Port Harcourt on Friday.
Adeyeye, represented by Mr. Chukwuma Oligbu, the NAFDAC Director, South-South Zone, explained that the products were all seized from the six states of the South-South region.
The states are Rivers, Bayelsa. Edo, Delta, Akwa Ibom and Cross River.
She stated that the investigation, enforcement and destruction exercise was an unwavering resolve and commitment of the agency to protect the lives of the people.
According to her, the destruction of these harmful products was not just a routine exercise.
“It is a firm statement of our unwavering resolve and commitment to protect the lives of the people from the dangers of counterfeit and substandard medicines, unwholesome food, medical devices and other hazardous regulated products.
“These products, if allowed to circulate, could cause untold harm including treatment failures, drug resistance, prolonged illnesses, and even loss of lives”, she said.
Adeyeye explained that the products destroyed were made up of substandard and falsified medical products, unwholesome processed food products and food additives, unsafe cosmetics counterfeits.
She mentioned others as expired NAFDAC regulated products seized by the agency from manufacturers, importers and distributors.
According to the DG, some damaged and expired products were voluntarily handed over to the agency by compliant companies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Association of Community Pharmacists (ACPN) and Trade Unions.
She stated that the feat was achieved through intelligence gathering in July, 2024, adding that the estimated street value of the destroyed products was N4.7 billion.
Adeyeye further said the agency discovered several warehouses in Port Harcourt where some alcoholic beverages were being re-validated and re-introduced into circulation.
“After a properly coordinated surveillance, the warehouses were raided and products confiscated.
‘’Also, through this operation, a warehouse of unregistered cosmetics product was raided and products worth several millions of naira were confiscated.
“Seized unregistered imported vegetable oil without Vitamin A fortification and assorted unregistered cosmetics product from Delta state were also among the products destroyed”, she explained.
She acknowledged that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in Edo State handed over two 40ft containers of various Pharmacological classes of unregistered and substandard drugs which was part of the items destroyed.
The DG commended the sister agencies who assisted NAFDAC in the feat for their unflinching support in the fight against substandard and falsified medicines and harmful products.
The agencies included Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Police Force (NPF), Department of State Security (DSS), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
She also recognised the assistance of Rivers State Waste Management Agency (RIWAMA) and the media, assuring the agency’s commitment to protect the public from the harm of such products.
Adeyeye called on all stakeholders including health professionals, law enforcement agencies, industry players and the general public to support the fight by reporting suspicious activities and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards.
The dignitaries present at the occasion were the Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service Eastern Marine Command,
Others include, the Deputy Commander, NSCDC; the Rivers Chairman, Association of Community Pharmacists; the Sole Administrator, RIWAMA; the State Fire Service, and the Coordinators of NAFDAC, South-South Zone.

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Don Proposes Group Matrix In Organisational Efficiency

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A Professor in the Business Education Department at Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Prof. Joy Amesi, has proposed Group Matrix model system to help assess staff and students towards achieving proficiency.
She said it can also be applied in a work place setting to determine individual performances and hence will propel staff to work more effectively.
According to her, the benefits and importance of Group Matrix cannot be over-emphasised as it is capable of enabling staff to improve their efficiency, and strategically improve on their work.
Group Matrix, she added, “is not just for products, but also for organisational efficiency”.
Amesi stated this recently while delivering her inaugural lecture during the institution’s 108th inaugural lecture on the topic, “Group Matrix Imperatives: Epistemological And Pedagogical Perspectives Of A Business Education”, held at the senate building of the University.
She further explained that the Group Matrix can be used for both academic and non-academic, business organisations, and students in academic institutions.
“Group Matrix can be used to assess staff in an organisation. It’s not only for products and also not only for marketing, but can be used to assessing staff and students, knowing their performances and to enable them work better than the way they should have worked previously.
“This year academic institution should have applied Matrix in their assessment of staff and students for better equipment”, She stated.
Prof Amesi recommended, among other things, that institutions and organisations should select the most appropriate matrix and model to be utilised in the assessment of staff and learners.
In his speech the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, said the inaugural lecture is special for them because it provides an opportunity for them to tell the world that as a university they are working, adding that the University is carrying out teaching, research and community services which is the three primary objectives of every university.
“Education is central to all that we do as a people, as a state and as a nation. Without education, we cannot make progress”, Prof. Okogbule said.
He commended the Chief Judge of the state, Justice Simeon Amadi, for coming for the inaugural lecture, adding that when Prof Amesi was promoted to the rank of Professor, Justice Amadi hosted her, and he was privileged to be part of the event.
“My lord, I thank you very much for recognising the ability, quality in this young lady.
“There is no doubt you see that today in Prof Amesi, that Rivers State University did not make a mistake to promote her to the rank of Professor in the business education faculty in the university”, he said.

By: Kiadum Edookor

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