Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, Wednesday inaugurated the Governing Council of Rivers State University promising to give the best attention to the education sector so that standard and quality learning will never be compromised in the state.
He stated that in achieving such legacy, schools in the state would be driven with a curriculum that will equip school-aged children to become competitive, innovative, and self-reliant.
Speaking during the inauguration the Governor said: “There is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction.
“But I want to tell the world that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channeled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.
“Education that is creative. Education that gives you independence. We have left the era in the world when you speak too much grammar. We are in such times when it is what you can do with your hands.
“Our purpose for education is that we should bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs. When one creates a job, you automatically employ others. That is what I want this council to see as their task.”
Sir Fubara noted the non-existence of public secondary schools for the male children in the Diobu axis of Port Harcourt saying that such negligence leaves children in that area who have completed primary education, and whose parents cannot afford sending them to far away secondary schools, to roam the streets, and therefore becoming willing tools for criminality.
He assured that such fundamental problem would be addressed by his administration as a measure to curb the negative impression associated with Diobu axis of Port Harcourt.
The governor said he trusts in the capacity of the members of the Governing Council of Rivers State University to bring about positive change in the institution while also contributing their quota to improving the general education standard in the State.
“I charge you, not just in terms of administering the affairs of the university, but let us add something different from the normal things that we already have to see new things.”
In her response, on behalf of the other members, the Pro-Chancellor of the Governing Council of Rivers State University, Justice Mary Odili (rtd), thanked the governor for finding them worthy to serve in such capacity.
Justice Odili assured they will work assiduously as a team to solve the problems that agitate the mind of the governor and ensure their contributions form part of the legacy that will be bequeathed by his administration.
The members included Justice Mary Odili (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council with Barrister Mela Oforibika and Chukwuma Chinwo, Esq.
Others were Adata Bio-Briggs, Esq., Dr Jonathan Nimi Hart, Ngo Martins-Yellowe, Dr Nancy Nwankwo, Dr Igoni William-Park, and Mr Ogbugbu Barisua.
