The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Professor Okechuku Onuchuku, has commended the Governor of Rivers State, Nyesom Wike, for granting his request to employ new workers at the institution.
The Vice-Chancellor made the commendation on Tuesday while declaring open a two-day orientation programme for the newly employed workers.
Onuchuku noted that the employment has reduced the shortage of manpower at the institution and would empower it to sustain its position in human capacity development in the state and Nigeria as a whole.
He charged the new workers to be committed to the discharge of their responsibilities, adding that it would be the only way to show their gratefulness to the state government for the opportunity.
The Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the orientation was organised to acquaint the new entrants with the rules and regulations guiding the operations of the university.
He cautioned them to shun all unethical practices because his administration would not hesitate to sanction those found culpable of any form of misconduct, particularly all kinds of extortion from the students.
“Some of the students are just managing to survive, don’t force them to buy books. Don’t extort money from the students when they come to your offices for one service or the other.”
Onuchuku told the workers to be punctual and regular at work, while also insisting on the need to cultivate cordial relationships with their superiors and other colleagues, as he re-emphasised that any corrupt action would be punished.
“Come to work early, relate well with your superiors and colleagues, and don’t do the wrong thing”, he advised.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Acting Registrar, Donald Okogbaa, disclosed that the shortage of manpower was a great concern to the vice-chancellor when he assumed office.
He hinted that the dwindling workforce informed the VC’s appeal to the governor, as he expressed gratitude to Governor Wike for the approval.
The Registrar said the orientation was carefully planned to inform the staff of the policies, procedures, and operations of the institution to empower them to work without problems, as well as to reshape their mindset about the civil service.
He reminded them that the university operates differently from the mainstream civil service and that the management would not hesitate to employ all the enabling laws of the institution to punish those who contravene the laws and statutes.
The Registrar also gave a brief history of the institution and explained the university structure.
In the same vein, the Dean, Faculty of Education, Professor Vincent Asuru, gave a talk on the teacher and students: distinction in teaching and learning/classroom management and conduct, while Professor Femi Shaka of the University of Port Harcourt spoke on examination malpractice and the implications.
Other resource persons were Professor Joseph Kinanee, who gave a discourse on managing work stress and workplace relationships, and Promise Woka of Rivers State University shed light on the role of the university administrator.
