…….government to commence payment of bursary to students
Okenyi Kenechi
Following the outcry that emanated from the proposed school fees hike by authorities of Rivers State University, Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, on Thursday, declared all form of school fees increment in all the state-owned schools null and void.
The governor also announced that the state government will commence payment of bursary to eligible students after the conduct of biometrics exercise.
Wike made the declaration during the flag-off ceremony of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS) at the Rivers State University in Port Harcourt.
Governor Wike said that no head of an institution has the permission to increase fees.
According to him: “I don’t interfere in the running of the State University. But when I heard that they were discussing the increment of fees, I had to intervene to immediately stop them.
“I don’t want any institution to announce the increment of fees. There should be no increment of fees at any level. I am stopping it because things are very difficult “.
The governor also advised Rivers people to shun people who politicize education.
The governor charged the leaders of NURSS to ensure the judicious use of the new national secretariat, saying that the new facility should not generate crisis amongst them.
He also thanked the Rivers State University for making land available for the construction of the NURSS National Secretariat.
He said the project will be completed in three months time, adding that the State Government has paid fifty per cent of the project fee.
Special Adviser on Special Projects to the Rivers State Governor, Alabo George Kerley said that the new NURSS Secretariat covers 450 metres with a multi-purpose hall, offices and restaurant.
He said that the secretariat is designed to be a revenue earner for the students’ body.
Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Blessing Didia said that by the construction of the new national secretariat, Governor Wike has proven to be students friendly.
Pro-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Justice Iche Ndu said this is the seventh major project of Governor Wike in the University.
President of the National Union of Rivers State Students, Comrade Patrick Ogbuehi said that the new national secretariat will re-define the union and make it function effectively.
