The Rivers State Government has lifted embargo placed on employment at the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, giving the school the freedom to employment teaching and non-teaching staff at the institution.
The ban was lifted by the State Governor Nyesom Wike, who was represented by his deputy, Ipalibo Banigo, at the 39th-40th Convocation Ceremony of the school held at the weekend.
In his address, the governor said the approval is to ensure the provision of “quality teaching and research” in the institution.
According to Wike, “To further this objective, I have lifted the ban and given approval to the management to employ both academic and non-academic staff to fill existing vacancies, to provide quality teaching, learning, research and to strengthen the capacity of the school to impart innovative knowledge and deliver quality education to its students.”
The Governor said that every state needs well-educated, trained, skilled, and healthy citizens to grow its economy, create jobs, and ensure that life becomes truly meaningful for everyone, adding that the success of any state or country depends on how the youths were transformed through education, skills and values, to be active and productive citizens.
He further expressed satisfaction with the role the University had been playing to actualise its special mandate in the training of professional educators and administrators for the state and the country.
The governor also commended the management, lecturers, and other partners for the growth of the university and its contribution to the state and national development.
In his, address the Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Okechukwu Onuchukwu, expressed gratitude to the governor for his appointment.
He noted that under his watch, the university had secured full accreditation for 21 programmes, which received a positive assessment from the National Universities Commission (NUC).
