A History of Educational Advancement in Nkpolu-Oroworukwo (1972-2017)

Universities are established in communities principally to enrich the
academic enterprise and enhance the socio-cultural and economic wellbeing
of the larger society through applied research. These institutions have been
acknowledged as powerful instrument for economic and social
transformation of the communities where they are domiciled. Thus, the host
communities are viewed as special places since they are availed of
tremendous opportunities resulting from the influx of workers, their families
and students. This project work identified some of the gains which the
presence of Rivers State University has availed the Nkpolu Oroworukwo
town which include educational advancement, employment generation,
admission provision, improved standard of living, infrastructural
development, attending of qualitative seminars, trainings and lectures,
affordable but qualitative and provision of basic social amenities and a host
of others for the community.
Even though that by Nkpolu Oroworukwo hosting the Rivers State
University, they are predisposed to both old-fashioned and newfangled
challenges such as upsurge in crimes of various shades, high cost of living,
pressure on available amenities, indecent dressing and the reoccurring clashes of interest between the institution and the community which were
non-existent prior to the establishment of institution; the positive impact and
merits of the institution especially in educational advancement of the
community far exceeds it's demerits.
Based on these challenges, my research
work recommends among others that to sustain the rapport between the
community and the institution, there is the need for increased
communication, partnership and goodwill between the both parties as the
gains of this relation are enormous and mutually beneficial for the both.