The Rector of the Rivers State College of Arts and Science (RIVCAS) Dr. Hillary Wordu, has commended Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of Rivers State for graciously releasing the 2011 college budgetary allocation which was comparable with that of the similar sister institutions in the state.
Dr. Worldu made the commendation while addressing 1103 fresh students during the 21st matriculation ceremony of the institution at the college campus, Rumuola Obio/Akpor local government area of Rivers State.
Dr. Wordu noted that governor Amaechi’s action for releasing the budgetary allocation had indeed redeemed his promise to treat the college as a polytechnic.
The former secretary general of Ogbakor Ikwerre Cultural Organization Worldwide, also lauded the present chairman of NDDC, Dr. Tarilla Tebepah, for assisting the college to receive for the first time, in 2010, the intervention fund of N100,000,000.00 during his time as member and representative of the south-south on the Board of Trustees of the Education Trust Fund (ETF) adding that the fund is now being used to erect a two storey block of 12 classrooms and 18 offices and toilets which will help reduce accommodation challenges of the college.
He further revealed that the institution is one of the 75 polytechnics in Nigeria offering programmes accredited by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) following the accreditation by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TEFUND), Industrial Training Fund (ITF) and Joint Admission and Matriculation Board.
According to him, the college by the law establishing it, is mandated to award diploma and certificates, and prepare its graduates for job placements in the labour markets at the sub-professional level. However, about 50% of such graduates of the college found their ways into the universities and other professional institutions at an advanced standard, stressing that it was the reason the institution is affiliated to the Rivers State University of science and Technology and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
According to him, guided by this mandate, the college offers the following programmes, Higher National Diploma HND, National Diploma (ND) Pre-degree of IJMBE, GCE, Pre-ND science and Technology, SSCE/GCE O/Level preparatory classes, GCE O/Level, remedial.
Other courses offered in the college include science and technology, environmental science, management science, humanities and social science, foundation and general studies.
Dr. Wordu maintained that the college’s curriculum for these programme were structured to make to make the students of the institution become the creators of jobs rather than hunters of jobs on the successful completion of their studies, stressing that the college has engaged erudite, competent, motivated and world class lecturers.
Dr. Wordu who noted that the lecturers of the institution have gathered expertise in their endeavours as they have stayed for many years, advised the students to draw from the teachers’ fountain of knowledge and experiences, adding that the institution has zero tolerance for vices like rioting, violence, drug abuse, stealing and other ungodly activities and warned students against bad habits.
In her speech, the chairman of the RIVCAS governing council, Dr. Mrs. Soba Wilcox, who was represented by Chief Dr. Amaechi, the Ogbugaa 1 of Igbo-Etche clan, while congratulating the fresh students of the institution, disclosed that the governing council is working tirelessly to ensure that more projects are built in the institution as well as more courses accredited.
He expressed optimism that the fresh students are worthy to be admitted in the institution and advised them to take their studies seriously, adding that the council would assist the institution, whatever be their demand.
He commended governor Amaechi for supporting the institution, adding that the governing council pledge their loyal to him. ###
Emeka Jilly Ejiowhor
