The Rivers state Government through Mr Simon Nwankanu – Special Adviser to the Governor – has promised to invest more in the education sector, saying it is the fastest way to empower the youths of a state
Nwankanu stated that Governor Wike made the promise on Saturday at the 33rd and 34th combined convocation of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, represented by the Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Kaniye Ebeku.
According to The Guardian, the governor also said that to overcome some of its critical challenges, the state government would increase funding in the next fiscal year.
Wike added that, “the state government alone cannot meet the funding needs of its tertiary institutions; we, therefore, expect the university to explore alternative sources of funding to augment the funding gaps.
“This is because investment in the education sector has led to sustained improvement in learning and infrastructure across the state.”
Wike commended the management of the University for working to secure accreditation of its courses and improving critical infrastructure.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joseph Kinanee, commended the governor for the increased funding to the university which he said had led to the development of required educational infrastructure.
He said that those infrastructures helped the university in getting full accreditation for all its academic programmes.
A total of 3,334 graduands received various degrees, diplomas and certificates at the combined convocation.