…..implements ‘no school fees, no exams policy’
By Omolara Akintoye
Students of Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, Rivers State have been warned to resist the temptation of diverting the school fees given to them by their parents and guardians to gamble or other related acts, thereby making things difficult for themselves and their sponsors.
The institution has also begun and implemented a “no school fees, no exam” policy for the upcoming first semester examinations.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, disclosed this during a pre-first semester examination roadshow around the main campus in Port Harcourt on Thursday.
Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Victor Akujuru, Prof. Zeb-Obipi, also advised the students to ensure they register their courses ahead of the examinations slated to commence April 22, 2025.
He noted that failure to register their courses means that their names will not reflect on the attendance sheet for the examinations.
The VC said, “Your primary obligation as a student is to pay your fees and go for your classes. Some of you are given fees; you divert them to something else. You embark on investments, some of you go to BetNaija hoping to double the money and then the money doesn’t come, so you don’t pay, you don’t register.
“Having spent our time and resources today to sensitize all of us that there’s a need to pay and register, lecturers are on notice. Anybody who is not on the attendance sheet will not be able to write exam.
You can only get on the attendance sheet when you have paid your fees and registered.”
Prof. Zeb-Obipi said continued, ”
We want to plead with you, please do yourself the favour. You have spent time here, don’t let one semester’s fees embarrass you. Don’t let your parents become embarrassed.
“Pay your fees, and when you have paid, ensure that you register because that registration is crucial to ensure your name enters the attendance list; when you have done that, you will be able to write exams without any hindrance.
Having said that, it is my pleasure, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, who is unavoidably absent, to declare this road show open to sensitize the students and the entire university population on the need to pay fees and register for the exam.”
He also used the opportunity to encourage students to apply for the Federal Government’s NELFUND student loan, especially students with financial challenges.
“Some of you may not know, NELFUND is a reality. Consult the Directorate of Student Affairs on how you can apply for the NELFUND.
“When you apply, and you are verified, this question of non-payment of fees, my parents do not have will no longer be there because you will obtain that loan free of interest, and you will go through your studies until you graduate and work for two years, you don’t start paying back.
So that is an opportunity, rather than saying I’m applying for a deferment because my sponsors don’t have money, apply for NELFUND and enjoy that Federal Government assistance. ”
On her part, the Registrar of the institution, Mrs Ibimonia Harry, spoke to the students about the one-year deferment option for those who may need to take a break in the face of financial, health, and other challenges.
She warned against their involvement in examination malpractice, stressing that anyone caught will be made to face the punishment stipulated by the school.
Harry said, “We also have these other cases; some of us, because of one problem or the other, cannot continue with our studies; we are allowing you to stay away for maybe one year and come back; that’s why we have there, defer admission.
