It was the coming together of intellectuals at the send forth in honour of immediate Vice Chancellor of the Niger Delta University (NDU), Professor Chris Ikporikpo, and conferment of Worthy Alumni Awards at the Banquet Hall, Government House, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.

The programme, organized by the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), attracted the academia from all fields of study and was chaired by the Executive Secretary of the National Institute of Cultural Orientation (NICO), Dr. Barclays Foubiri Ayakoroma.

Speaking, the Deputy Governor of Bayelsa State, Retired Rear Admiral Gboribiogha John-Jonah, who stood in for Governor Seriake Dickson, restated government’s commitment to revamp the educational sector.

Rear Admiral John-Jonah explained that government has already set up a committee to regularly check primary and secondary schools to ensure they are functioning in line with the Restoration Agenda.

He also promised to partner the management of the Niger Delta University (NDU) as well as the State Council for Arts and Culture, to prepare students for the challenges ahead.

In a lecture entitled “Integrating Valued Education in Nigeria’s Educational System,” a visiting lecturer to the Niger Delta University from the University of Ibadan, Professor O. Moronkola, emphasized that the National Policy on Education should be a tool for national re-orientation.

He regretted that the university system has been compromised with vices such as cultism, bribery and sexual harassment, instead of character building and learning.

Reminiscing on his early days as Vice Chancellor, Professor Chris Ikporikpo noted that the Alumni Association helped him to strengthen the values in NDU by inculcating a university culture in the institution.

While thanking the Association for honouring him, Professor Ikporikpo prayed for unity to continue among them, pledged to support the endowment of an award by the Bayelsa State chapter of the Alumni, advising them to quickly work out modalities for implementation by November 17, 2012, which will be the next Founder’s Day/Convocation Ceremony.

Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Barclays Ayakoroma, had extolled the qualities of Professor Chris Ikporikpo, whom he said left the NDU better than he met it, being a trait of an alumnus of the University of Ibadan.

Dr. Ayakoroma also appreciated the Deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John-Jonah (rtd), for being time conscious and urged Bayelsans to emulate his example.

Those who received the UIAA Worthy Alumni Awards were the Chairman of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr. Tarila Tebepah, and the Special Assistant (Admin), Office of the First Lady, The Presidency, Dr. Mrs. Grace Koroye.

It will be recalled that Professor Ikporikpo was appointed Acting Vice Chancellor of NDU in June 2005, by Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha, while Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan confirmed his appointment as substantive VC in June 2007, for a tenure of five years.

 

 

 

(C) Nico news