From Ekaete Ikubor
PORT HARCOURT
The vice chancellor of the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt, Professor. Nlerum Okogbule, has charged student leaders in the institution to see leadership as an opportunity to serve others than for personal gains.
Nlerum Okogbule gave the charge while declaring open a two-day workshop for the Post-Graduate Students Association (PGSA) and the Students Union Government (SUG) officials which took place at the university’s amphitheatre.
Okogbule at the occasion called on the presidents of the PGSA and SUG to carry other officials and the entire students along, stating that their constitutions clearly spelt out the functions of all leaders.
The professor commended the dean of students affairs for initiating the programme, noting that the goal of the exercise was to ensure that the various arms of the PGSA and SUG understand what they were expected to do as student leaders.
The chairman on the occasion and former deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr Austin Opara, applauded the management of the university for providing the platform for the students to lead themselves in a democratic setting.
Opara, who was represented at the occasion by Jones Ogbondah, called on the student leaders to apply the knowledge gained from the workshop effectively, adding that the training would be useful to them after graduation.
In his keynote address, the guest lecturer, Kingsley Chindah, stated that the three arms of government of the SUG were expected to work in synergy to improve the students’ welfare.
Chindah warned against the unhealthy practice of antagonizing other arms through making laws targeted on individuals, refusing to approve funds in the budget or giving unfair judgment.
He recommended that laws should be made for posterity and that leaders should treasure transparency and accountability, adding that there should be severe punishment for corrupt practice.
Earlier in his address, the dean of students affairs, Bright Opara, had said that the workshop was put together to bring past student leaders to share their experience with the PGSA and SUG officials.
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