The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has pledged to focus on educational development.

Ibas stated this at the 43rd Convocation Ceremony of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE), Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt, on Saturday.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Ibibia Lucky Worika, Ibas described the theme of the 43rd Convocation, “The University Culture in Practice: The IAUE Experience”, as apt, especially given the current need for institutions to rise above mediocrity.

“A thriving university culture is one that not only teaches but transforms. It builds bridges between learning and leadership, knowledge and character. It equips young men and women not just for employment, but for purposeful citizenship.”

He lauded the university management for its proficiency in achieving full accreditation of more academic programs and emphasised that “education remains a cardinal pillar of this administration.”

The administrator urged the new 2,887 first-degree graduands and 1,492 postgraduate degree awardees to uphold the positive values instilled in them by the university and the unquenchable thirst for knowledge.

“I urge the student body to rise above distractions and embrace the deeper call of education to become builders of a better society.

“We will not tolerate cultism, fraud, harassment or any form of indiscipline in our tertiary institutions. Together, let us uphold zero tolerance for academic and social misconduct,” he stressed.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, represented by Prof. Bolaji Babatunde, who was awarded a Doctor of Letters, noted that President Ahmed Bola Tinubu has approved the establishment of specialized universities including Federal University of Agriculture and Development Studies, Osun State; Federal University of Environment and Technology, Rivers State, Federal University of Technology and Environmental Science, Ekiti State and as upgraded 38 Federal and State Technical Colleges across the country.

The Ag. Vice Chancellor of the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Prof. Okechuku Onuchuku, emphasised the theme was chosen to highlight the need to go beyond just academic accomplishments but also to embrace cherished traditions and intellectual values for which great universities are known and celebrated.

“Ignatius Ajuru University of Education has come of age, and it is time to prove to our stakeholders and development partners that this institution is moving in a positive direction as proof of our maturity in all facets of