News

Jonathan Hails UNIPORT On Academic Excellence

Published

14 years ago

April 30, 2012

President Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed excitement over the high academic standard attained by the University of Port Harcourt.

At the university’s 28th convocation ceremony held Saturday, Jonathan remarked that the institution had proved itself a citadel of learning in academics, sports, research and national development, and commended UNIPORT authorities for maintaining the culture of academic excellence.

The President, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Education, Prof Raqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i noted that university of Port Harcourt was the epi-centre of oil and gas in Nigeria in view of the fact that it was located at place where most multinational oil and gas companies operate in the country, and enjoined operators in the industry to build sustainable collaboration with the institution for mutual success, especially in research sponsorship.

Jonathan reiterated the strong commitment of his administration in providing conducive academic environment for better education, and challenged Nigerian universities to strive at competing favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

Minister for Education, Prof. Rukayatu Ahmed Rufai described Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as an action governor, saying, she was greatly impressed with Governor Amaechi’s great achievements, especially in the education sector in Rivers State.

The minister commended the Rivers State governor for being a great friend to universities across the country and for his great efforts in the education sector in Rivers State.

“Let me particularly congratulate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on your re-election. You are, indeed, an action governor and you are also obviously friendly to universities in the country”.

“Let me again commend you, Governor Amaechi for your huge support to, and construction of access road in the University of Port Harcourt, and the building of model primary and secondary schools in Rivers State,” she said.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Joseph Ajienka had said the new focus of the institution was to transform it to an entrepreneurial university, a change in the mission of teaching, research and community service.

Others he said include development of different polymers used in formulation of drilling fluid and oilfield chemicals and reception of two major grants, Mac Arthur Foundation Grant to establish the institute of Natural Resources and also Environment and Sustainable Development and Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), amongst numerous others.

Prof Ajienka also noted that UNIPORT had graduated to an undisputed centre of excellence in sports by winning Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Cup for four consecutive times and winning West African University Games (WAUG) Cup for three consecutive times in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Ilorin, Nigeria, and had a signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Olympics Committee (NOC) aimed at making the university an Olympics African Centre.

Ajienka said that Mr Boma Tubotamuno of the Department of Economics emerged the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.78 on a scale of 5 points.

Some 5, 756 received first degrees, postgraduate diploma and doctorates.

A run-down of the figures shows that 14 students graduated in first class, 817, second class upper division and 1, 468, second class lower division.

Also, 308 students graduated with third class degree, 78, pass, 1, 083 postgraduate Diploma, 532 Masters’ Degrees and 98 obtained doctorates. .

Honorary doctorates were conferred on the Chairman of Stanbic-IBTC Bank Plc, Dr Atedo Peterside, Chairman of Afren Energy Services, Dr Egbert Imomoh and the Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti.

Chris Oluoh

News

HoS Hails Fubara Over Provision of Accommodation for Permanent Secretaries

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Head of Service (HoS) of Rivers State, Dr. Mrs. Inyingi S. I. Brown, has commended Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, for approving befitting accommodation for Permanent Secretaries in the state.

This commendation was contained in a press release made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt.

According to the Head of Service, Governor Fubara has continued to demonstrate uncommon commitment to the welfare of civil servants in Rivers State, stressing that such gestures underscore his people-oriented leadership style. She urged civil servants across the state to remain supportive of the governor’s administration in order to sustain good governance and effective public service delivery.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Permanent Secretaries, Dr. Brown congratulated Governor Fubara on the occasion of his 51st birthday, describing him as “a Governor who leads by serving.”

She further praised the governor’s service-driven and people-centred leadership approach, noting that it has significantly contributed to institutional stability and improved efficiency within the state’s public service. Special appreciation was expressed for the approval of a befitting accommodation complex for Permanent Secretaries, which she said reflects the governor’s commitment to staff welfare and enhanced productivity.

As part of activities to mark the governor’s birthday, the Body of Permanent Secretaries announced the sponsorship of 329 Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) forms for indigent students across the state.

A breakdown of the initiative shows that 319 forms will be distributed across the 319 political wards in Rivers State, while five forms are allocated to non-indigenes and five forms to persons living with disabilities.

Interested applicants are advised to contact the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, for further details.

The Body of Permanent Secretaries wished Governor Fubara continued good health, divine wisdom, and greater accomplishments in his service to the people of Rivers State.

By John Bibor

News

Allegation of Disrespect to President Tinubu Unfounded — Rivers Government

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The attention of the Rivers State Government has been drawn to a statement credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), purportedly authored by one Bestman Innocent Amadi, alleging that the Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, removed the official portrait of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, from the Government House, Port Harcourt.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Rivers State Government wishes to categorically state that there is no policy, directive, or intention on the part of the government or the Governor that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government.

On the contrary, the Rivers State Government, under the leadership of Governor Siminalayi Fubara, currently enjoys a robust, cordial, and collaborative relationship with the Federal Government, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the Renewed Hope Agenda—a partnership that is already yielding positive and tangible benefits for the people of Rivers State.

Consequently, the insinuation that the Governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” is misleading, irresponsible, inflammatory, and entirely unsupported by verifiable facts, and should therefore be disregarded by the public.

It is regrettable that a body expected to promote youth unity, peace, and responsible engagement would resort to incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated claims capable of overheating the polity at a time when Rivers State requires calm, dialogue, and mature leadership.

The Rivers State Government therefore calls on well-meaning members of the public, particularly its esteemed and hardworking youths, to disregard and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups bent on advancing divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Rivers State belongs to all of us. Political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, peace, and the collective pursuit of progress.

Members of the public are further urged to remain vigilant and avoid lending credence to inflammatory statements or the activities of fifth columnists pursuing dubious agendas aimed at sowing discord.

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News

Rivers Government Dismisses Allegations of Disrespect to President Tinubu

Published

3 days ago

February 2, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has dismissed as unfounded and misleading allegations that Governor Sir Siminalayi Fubara removed the official portrait of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu from the Government House in Port Harcourt.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the state government reacted to claims credited to an acclaimed Rivers State chapter of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), describing the allegation as false, irresponsible, and unsupported by any verifiable facts.

The government clarified that it has no policy, directive, or intention that disrespects the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria or undermines the authority of the Federal Government. It emphasized that Governor Fubara maintains a cordial, respectful, and collaborative relationship with President Tinubu and the Federal Government.

According to the statement, the relationship between Rivers State and the Federal Government has grown stronger under the Renewed Hope Agenda, with tangible benefits and positive impacts already being felt by residents of the state.

The Rivers State Government described insinuations that the governor acted out of “ingratitude” or “disrespect” as deliberately provocative, noting that such claims are capable of misleading the public and unnecessarily heating up the polity.

It further expressed concern that an organization expected to promote youth unity and peace would engage in what it termed incendiary language, personal attacks, and unsubstantiated accusations at a time when the state requires calm, dialogue, and responsible leadership.

The government called on well-meaning members of the public, especially the youths of Rivers State, to disregard the claims and dissociate themselves from individuals or groups spreading divisive rhetoric and falsehoods for political purposes.

Reaffirming its commitment to peace, unity, and progress, the state government stressed that political differences must never be allowed to override truth, civility, and the collective interest of the people.

Members of the public were also urged to remain vigilant and not give attention to inflammatory statements or individuals described as fifth columnists bent on causing division within the state.