Leaders of the communities hosting the Port Harcourt Study Centre, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, recently paid a visit to the study centre to discuss what the leader of the team described as "issues of bilateral importance" with the management of the centre.
The community leaders were received by the centre director, Dr. Nnenna Nancy Chukwuma, who expressed delight at the visit.
Dr. C. D. Chuku, the president of the community association, who led the delegation of the community leaders, revealed that they were at the study centre to demand that the university should give employment slots to members of the host community.
Chuku further requested that NOUN as an institution domiciled in their community should also feature in community festivals, such as New Yam Festivals and end of year carnivals.
Responding, Chukwuma appreciated the community delegates for their civilised approach to making their requests.
She explained that NOUN is a federal university the employment processes of which are directly supervised by the federal government.
"The federal government has placed embargo on employment into its public service at the moment," she said; adding that all employment related issues were handled at the Abuja headquarters of the university,, not at the study centres and that she was sure the university would not fail to consider the request of the community whenever the embargo on employment is lifted by the federal government.
Chukwuma further explained that the study centre was open to making useful contributions to the development of its host communities especially in matters of learning, research and community service.
She assured that the centre would not shy away from making its presence felt on appropriate occasions as time permits.
Other members of the community delegation were Elder Moses Okemini, vice-president; Rev. Henry Amadi; Sir Theophilus O. Worlu and Mr. Moses Njobuawu Omah.
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