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From TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, has advised university managements not to retain lecturers who lack the right qualification and problem-solving research capability, if they want to produce quality graduates.
Governor Wike also suggested that universities’ curriculum must begin to address the issues of skills, linkages to industries and relevant competences for job creation or self-employment of the graduates.
He made the assertion in his address at the 32 convocation and 40th anniversary of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt yesterday.
He said, for the universities to be reckoned internationally as serious citadels of learning, creativity and innovation, stakeholders must find the means to address the problem of declining quality of graduates.
Governor Wike said while the State government will continue to address issues of faculty shortage, the universities must do something serious about their curriculum, quality of teaching staff and research outputs, which must be at par with international standards.
“There is no use employing or keeping on the payroll teachers who do not possess the right qualification, competence, character and commitment to quality teaching and problem-solving research, if our universities must improve on the quality of graduates they turn out”, Wike said.
He stated that the zeal to expand access to tertiary education has informed the unprecedented investments that have been made since he assumed office in 2015 to upgrade and expand educational facilities in the State University.
Governor Wike said his administration has completed and equipped long-abandoned buildings of faculties of Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences, Technical and Science Education, and Law in the University.
He stated that his administration has also initiated the College of Medical Sciences for the institution and approved the conversion of the Braithwaite Memorial Hospital to the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital.
The governor added that the medical facilities have been upgraded to the required standard as a first-rate Teaching Hospital.
Governor Wike said funds for the provision of necessary infrastructure and take-off of academic activities in the three new campuses of the University in Emohua, Ahoada and Etche Local Government Areas of the State, were already provided in the 2021 budget.
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“Our responsibility therefore, is to ensure that this university develops into becoming one of the best tertiary institutions in the country to serve our people, our nation and mankind”, he said.
Governor Wike congratulated His Royal Highness, Justice Sidi Bage (rtd), Emir of Lafia and Chairman, Nasarawa State Council of Chiefs, on his appointment and investiture as the new Chancellor of the University.
The governor revealed that he did not hesitate to endorse the recommendation for his appointment which is expected to help the university to attain new heights as a university of values, high learning, research and service.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Nlerum Okogbule, disclosed that a total of 5,486 graduands were certified to be worthy in character and in learning.
Among them were 34 students who bagged first class and 209 Doctor of Philosophy.
He commended the governor for appointing Justice Bage as the 4th Chancellor and expressed hope that his wealth of experience will greatly impact on the running of the affairs of the institution.
Justice Bage (rtd.) thanked Governor Wike for counting him worthy to be Chancellor of the University and assured him that he would use the opportunity to advance the frontiers the rich impartation of knowledge for which the institution is reputed.
The Pro-Chancellor, Justice Iche Ndu (rtd), said Governor Wike would be remembered for his monumental feat in initiating the College of Medical Sciences of the University and recruiting some of the best brains in medical field to run the college.
