Wike boosts Rivers varsity with N16.6b intervention fund
THE education sector in Rivers State received a major boost recently as Governor Nyesom Wike released N16. 6b for the upgrade of facilities at the state- owned university.
Of the sum, N9b would serve as take- off grant for the establishment of new campuses of the university at Ahoada, Emohua and Etche Local Government Areas.
The sum of N3b has been set aside for each of the new campuses for the construction of faculty buildings, hostels, offices, libraries, auditoriums, lecture halls and other needs required for the campuses to operate maximally. About N7. 6b has also been earmarked for the establishment of College of Medical Sciences, Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, Clinical Sciences and Pathology Building at Rivers Sate University ( RSU).
Besides, the state government has established a scholarship scheme for Rivers indigenes studying at PAMO University of Medical Sciences, meant to enable Rivers indigenes and other Nigerians access to medical education in the state.
Commissioner for information and Communications in the state, Paulinus Nsiri explained that the intervention in education is to enhance development in the state- owned institution, which has maintained one campus since its establishment in October 1980.
With the establishment of three campuses in Emohua, Ahoada and Etche, Nsiri said the communities would be opened up for development and economic activities, which in turn, would reduce unemployment in the state.
He explained that the fund to RSU College of Medical Sciences would not only enable the college establish more faculties, it will fully commence its programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery ( MBBS).
This, according to the commissioner, would further strengthen accredited departments and those due for accreditation at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital ( RSUTH).
He added that the establishment of a scholarship scheme for Rivers indigenes studying at PAMO University of Medical
Sciences, Port Harcourt, was already a key item in governor Wike’s second term inaguration speech, where he clearly noted that the state government had made significant progress in its efforts to train 500 indigenous medical students on full scholarship, with 200 students already enrolled at the time and progressing with their studies in the last two years alone.
“This new development will therefore not only assist to reduce the gaps in the doctor to patient ratio in the state, but there is great confidence and optimism that in the next few years, Rivers State will play a major role in producing medical manpower for the whole of Nigeria.
“Within the period, we have also funded healthcare delivery at great levels, restored our general hospitals and established Rivers State University Teaching Hospital to improve healthcare delivery in the state,” the commissioner added,
On his part, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Princewill Chike, lauded the governor for the release of N16. 6b for the upgrade of facilities at RSU. Chike noted that while the College of Medical Sciences can operate as a full- fledged college with all its required programmes, accreditation of departments and programmes would be easy to secure.
The state Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku, said the expansion would increase access to education significantly, admission spaces will be opened for more intakes while communities hosting the new campuses would enjoy increased commercial activities, employment and development.
According to him: “There is definitely no doubt that this intervention for the overall upgrade of facilities at RSU is good news, especially at a time when governance has been grounded in most parts of the country and the world, because of COVID- 19 pandemic. “
He added: “The release of N16.6illion for the upgrade of RSU is another promise fulfilled by Governor Wike and with another two and half years to the end of his tenure, the governor has proven to all that he is a responsive politician who keeps his promises.”
IMMEDIATE past Vice Chancellor of the University of Ibadan ( UI) Prof. Idowu Olayinka, said the VC’S selection process had always been marred with conflicts of interest that had made the process tough and competitive from time immemorial.
Olayinka who spoke against the backdrop of the various claims that have delayed the selection process for the 13th VC of the institution, said speculations on the selection process had been an age- long phenomenon that has led to the use of various antics by interested parties.
He said: “The situation is very unfortunate and we are optimistic that the matter would be resolved amicably eventually. The current situation is not entirely new to those of us who are familiar with this institution although the bad blood in the present circumstances has been taken to perhaps unprecedented levels.
“In 2010, a new VC designate emerged on September 2, 2010. There were all manner of petitions, which the then Chairman of Council, Chief Wole Olanipekun ( SAN) handled astutely. Three months later, which happened to be the last day in office of the then outgoing VC there was a full page advertorial in one of the national dailies by an unknown body, calling for the annulment of the entire process and the appointment of an Acting VC. If that was not a sign of bad blood in the system, one begins to wonder what else could be. Thankfully the VC designate assumed office on
Dec. 1, 2010.
“Fast forward to 2015, there were also all manner of petitions against the person who emerged VC. Some of the aggrieved parties actually went to court to stop me from assuming office but God intervened and I assumed office on Dec. 1, 2015,’’ Olayinka stated.
Speaking on the current selection process, Olayinka said there were issues with the process of appointing a substantive VC, which were escalated by a “faceless group”.
The former vice chancellor said it started with protests by two of the candidates who contested alongside seven others to represent the university Senate on the Joint Council/ Senate Selection Board for the appointment of a VC.
On the way forward, Prof Olayinka expressed optimism that the Council would reconvene at the earliest convenience to decide on the next line of action.
“At least for now the business of the university is going on smoothly as far as one can observe. There is no crisis in the institution. Senate met just recently to approve final year results,” Prof Olayinka added.