EDUCATION
ASUU: Diri Urges NDU Lecturers To End Sympathy Strike
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State has urged lecturers at the state-owned Niger Delta University (NDU) to end their seven-month-long sympathy strike with the national body of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).
Diri insisted that the sympathy industrial action by lecturers of the university was no longer justifiable as they have been receiving their salaries monthly without going to work.
He said although the institution’s governing council had scheduled a meeting with the union, the lecturers ought to reciprocate the goodwill of the state government by returning to the classroom in the interest of the students.
A statement issued on Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Daniel Alabrah, quoted the governor as saying on Tuesday night at a dinner in honour of the victorious Bayelsa United Football Club in Yenagoa that the state government had sorted out all the issues between it and the institution’s ASUU.
Diri noted that lecturers in federal tertiary institutions might have issues with the Federal Government but that was no longer the case with the state-owned institution’s lecturers.
He said, “Let me use this opportunity to call on lecturers at the Niger Delta University to call off their strike. I have already given directives to the governing council, which represents the government in the management of that university.
“For about seven months they have been on strike. They call it a sympathy strike because the very local issues that they raised with our government have already been sorted out. So they have no problem with the state government.
“About two or three months ago, I met with the leadership at a meeting not to continue the sympathy strike. Yes, they are all unionists. However, in Nigeria, there are two layers of government that are totally different.
“The issues are with the federal universities and not the state institutions. State-owned institutions in our sister states like Rivers and Delta did not join the strike or have called off theirs. I would like Niger Delta University to follow suit by calling off the strike.
“You all know that you cannot be receiving salaries and you do not go to work for seven months. As I said, I have set up the machinery and I am very sure that reasoning will prevail. NDU will resume in the shortest possible time for our children to go back to school.”
By Chuks Eke
No fewer than 10,707 graduates yesterday received a first degree, master’s and PhD certificates at the 17th convocation ceremonies of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, Anambra State.
Speaking at the occasion, held at the campus arena, the Vice Chancellor of NAU, also known as Unizik, Prof Charles Okechukwu Esimone, declared that the convocation ceremony is for the 2021/2022 academic year.
He said that the graduates include, 6,000 for first degrees, 3,300 for Post graduate Diplomas, 807 for Masters degrees, and 600 for Doctorate degrees, as well as conferment of honorary degrees to three Nigerians making enduring contributions to the socio-economic development of the country.
Commenting on Project 200, Esimone declared that he had accomplished the mission, insisting that during the 14th convocation ceremony in March, 2020, less than one year after he assumed office in June 2019, he that revealed his vision was to make Nnamdi Azikiwe University, the best university in Nigeria, among the best two hundred universities in the world.
He however explained that his administration was confronted with some challenges, including, Covid-19 pandemic which ravaged the world through 2020 to 2022, Academic Staff Union of Universities frequent strikes which adversely impacted on academic activities and infrastructure development in Nigerian university system.
He said, “Let me now take the bold step as the architect and driver of Project 200, commendably supported by the university community has been largely fulfilled.
“Since Project 200 mission is predicted on universities ranking, the Stanford University USA in 2020 included two lecturers of the NAU, Engr Dr Christopher Igwe Ifuma, dept of Polymer and textile Engineering and Joshua Ighalo of dept ok Chemical Engineering among it’s top 2 percent of world scientists. Nnamdi Azikiwe University is placed 502+in global ranking, and 5th in Nigeria for universities not more than 50 years of establishment.
“The university is ranked 1,501+in the world and 8th in Nigeria, up from 10th in 2023, Prof Cecilia Emeb, debt of Linguistics and Kinsley Anukam, debt of Medical Laboratory Sciences collaborated to translate Probiotic Infographics into Igbo language (Probiotics concerns live microorganisms which when introduced into the body would have health benefits”.
In his speech, the Chancellor, NAU, His Majesty, Dr Da Jacob Gyaung Buba who is also Chairman, Plateau state Council of Chiefs, expressed joy and congratulated the VC, Prof Esimone, the governing council, staff and students of the institution for ensuring peaceful environment that has enabled reasonable progress and academic advancement.
He also appreciated individuals and corporate bodies for giving adequate support to achieve success and growth of the university.
The management of Hensard University, Nigeria’s international university in Toru-Orua, Bayelsa State has announced the commencement of admission into 30 courses that are spread across five faculties of the school. All the admission processes are online.
“We are glad to announce that our admissions have started. All the details are available on our website,” Prof Dileep Kumar M, Hensard’s Vice Chancellor said. “There is a buffet of 30 courses to choose from and as have stated we would avail students the best teaching and learning experience in the conducive environment of Toru-Orua.”
The National Universities Commission (NUC), approved its resources verification inspection team and had a final look at the facilities Hensard University was placed at the deposition of the students.
Prof Kumar listed the approved courses as:
Faculty of Agriculture
a. Agricultural Economics & Extension Services
b. Agronomy
c. Fisheries and Aquaculture
d. Animal Production and Husbandry
e. Forestry and Wildlife Management
Faculty of Arts, Social & Management Sciences
a. Accounting
b. Business Administration
c. Economics
d. History and Diplomatic Studies
e. Languages and Linguistics
f. Performing and Creative Arts
g. Philosophy and Religious Studies
h. Political Science and International Relations
i. Procurement
j. Project Management
Faculty of Environmental Sciences
a. Environmental Management
b. Geology and Geophysics
c. Meteorology and Climate Science
d. Surveying and Geo-informatics
Faculty of Mass Communication & Broadcasting
a. Broadcasting
b. Film & Multimedia
c. Journalism
Faculty of Sciences & Computing
a. Biochemistry and Biotechnology
b. Computer Science
c. Cyber Security
d. Data Science and Artificial Intelligence
e. Microbiology & Molecular Biology
f. Physics with Electronics
g. Science Laboratory Technology
h. Software Engineering
“Hensard University anchors its uniqueness on its dual certifications, international linkages, access to global educational resources, experienced faculty and staff from Nigeria and abroad, research centres and institutes which work together to produce graduates who would be ethical entrepreneurs, leaders and change agents for the improvement of society,” Prof Kumar said.
Admissions are also open for the Hensard University Foundation
The school is running a one-year programme on arts, social and management sciences, and physical and natural sciences to prepare candidates for JAMB, GCE, and NECO.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Anambra State chapter, Professor Angela Nwammuo has described the appointment of Prof Kate Omenugha to be the new Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) as a square peg in a square hole.
Prof Nwammuo who issued a press release, yesterday, in Awka, in her capacity as the NIPR Chairman in the State said Prof Omenugha’s appointment to the number one position in the university was apt.
She further described it as a reflection of the increasing belief that public relations practitioners were bridge builders and better managers of human and material resources.
Prof Nwammuo, also the Head of, the Department of Mass Communication, COOU noted that by this appointment, Prof Omenugha became the first female and only Vice Chancellor in Anambra State.
“The appointment of Prof Omenugha as the new VC of the COOU who is also a Fellow of the Institute and Council member is in recognition of her exceptional performance as a renowned academic. Most importantly, as the Commissioner for Education in Anambra State the State is still reaping the fruit of the innovations she introduced into the educational sector.
“She is a square peg in a square hole and a familiar terrain.
“As the Institute congratulates her on the deserved honour, we commend the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo for being gender sensitive, identifying and rewarding hard work.
“We pray that the good Lord will be with the new VC as she pilots the affairs of the university. Thank you Mr Governor, “Prof Nwammuo concluded.
Stakeholders Call For Repositioning Of Police Duty Solicitor Scheme
Nigerian Govt, UN Agencies Urged To Scale Up Funding For SGBV
UNIZIK Churns Out 10,707 Degrees, Masters, PhD Graduates At 17th Convocation
PSC Dismisses DCP Abba Kyari, To Be Prosecuted Over Alleged $1.1m Fraud
2022 Will Brighten Possibility Of Osinbajo Presidency, Says TPP
