Rivers: Gov Fubara hands Mary Odili, others new appointments

Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State has appointed Justice Mary Odili (JSC) (rtd) as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Rivers State University.

He inaugurated the Governing Councils of three tertiary education institutions in the State.

He said the move was in line with his commitment to reposition the education sector for quality manpower development to fast track sustainable growth, and create impactful and progressive society,

Those Fubara also include Chief Adokiye Amiesimaka to serve as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman; Ignatius Ajuru University of Education and Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, with Dr Robinson Ewoh as Chairman.

The Governor said he has directed the Councils to ensure their actions are driven by the urgency to equip school-aged children with requisite skills and knowledge to become competitive, innovative and self-reliant.

“I reminded the Councils that there is a lot of noise everywhere: people asking what we are doing; that we are not focused, and that we don’t have direction,” he wrote on X.

“But I also made it clear that we are focused and aware that we cannot grow if our energies are not channelled to education. Not just education, but purposeful education.

“I promised to leave a legacy of an education system that is creative. Education that gives our children some level of independence…

“I charged them to actualise our purpose for education, which is to bring back our academic programmes to where, at the end of your studies, you don’t need a job but you create jobs, and employ others. That is what I want the Councils to see as their task.

“I further approved and directed the immediate recommencement of the recruitment exercise that was cancelled last year at IAUOE, with emphasis on engaging qualified candidates to bridge existing gap in the academic staff portfolio; just as I assured of Government’s readiness to invest in transforming the infrastructure landscape of the three institutions.”