In a recent turn of events, community leaders from the vicinity of the Port Harcourt Study Centre at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Obio Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State, paid a significant visit to the study centre. The purpose of their visit was to engage in a discussion of what the team's leader described as "issues of bilateral importance" with the management of the centre.

Welcoming the community leaders with open arms, the centre director, Dr. Nnenna Nancy Chukwuma, expressed her delight at their presence. It was Dr. C. D. Chuku, the president of the community association, who spearheaded the delegation and made their primary demand crystal clear: they sought employment opportunities for members of their community within NOUN.

In addition to their employment request, Chuku also emphasized the importance of NOUN's active involvement in community festivals, such as the revered New Yam Festivals and the spirited end-of-year carnivals. He believed that NOUN, being an institution rooted in their community, should be an integral part of these celebrations.

In response, Chukwuma graciously acknowledged the community delegates for their composed and respectful approach to conveying their requests. She shed light on the fact that NOUN is a federal university, and the employment processes within the institution are under the direct supervision of the federal government.

Regrettably, Chukwuma explained that the federal government has currently placed an embargo on employment in the public service. As a result, all matters pertaining to employment are exclusively handled at the university's headquarters in Abuja, not at the study centres. However, she assured the community leaders that once the employment embargo is lifted, the university will take their request into serious consideration.

Chukwuma further emphasized that the study centre remains committed to contributing positively to the development of its host communities, particularly in the areas of learning, research, and community service. She reassured the community that the centre will actively participate in appropriate events when the circumstances allow.

Accompanying Dr. C. D. Chuku in the community delegation were notable figures such as Elder Moses Okemini, the vice-president; Rev. Henry Amadi; Sir Theophilus O. Worlu; and Mr. Moses Njobuawu Omah.

The visit served as a reminder that the voices of local communities continue to shape the dialogue surrounding employment opportunities and community involvement. The leaders' unified efforts signify their unwavering dedication to the progress and prosperity of their community, sparking hope for a brighter future.