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Don Charts Path To Economic Growth

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14 years ago

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Prof. Tunde Samuel of the Lagos State University (LASU), has urged both the federal and state governments to embrace vocational and technical education for rapid economic transformation.

Samuel who made the call on Wednesday in Lagos during the institution’s 49th inaugural lecture said there was no need investing in a tertiary education system hat would not guarantee employment.

Delivering a paper entitled “Total Deregulation, the Inevitable Bitter-Pill; or Partial Deregulation, a Policy Heresy”, Samuel said total deregulation was inevitable even though it was inappropriate now.

“Deregulation of the tertiary education will enable the educational sector fulfill its social welfare function,’’ he said.

Samuel, a Professor of Economics of Education in LASU’s Faculty of Education, said the cost of running tertiary education was enormous and government was being over-stretched financially.

“The United Nations’ Unit Cost Estimate for tertiary education in Africa was now put at between N2.3 million and N1.5 million for upper limit and lower limit respectively.

“That figure covered a four year degree programme,’’ he said.

Samuel noted that majority of Nigerians would not have access to tertiary education with the current per capital rate of less than two US dollars per day.

He said the provision of education for all by the government was becoming increasingly difficult.

The university don however added that privatisation would encourage efficiency and effectiveness, “even though this would be at the expense of access”.

The former Special Adviser on Education to ex-Gov. Bola Tinubu of Lagos state said the Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) was a major reason for deregulation of tertiary education.

According to him, PPP was the rate of currency conversion, which eliminates differences in price levels among countries.

He said the weak exchange rate in Nigeria explained why university professors were poorly paid in spite of the noise-making about the new salary structures and allowances.

Samuel recommended that all tertiary institutions in the country must evolve strategic plan of action for meaningful development and transformation of the tertiary orbit.

He also urged all tertiary institutions to stop multiplying academic programmes when the existing ones were under-funded.

Samuel said while the 26 per cent benchmark by UNESCO was no longer realistic, the 2012 IMF per capital N1.5 million to N2.3 million represents a realistic per capital tertiary education.

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Uniport Appoints Prof. Princewill R. Chike as 10th Vice-Chancellor

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2 weeks ago

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June 8, 2026

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The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill R. Chike as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University.
Prof. Chike, a former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, will succeed Prof. Georgewill Owunari whose tenure ends on July 13, 2026.
A statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Sam Kpenu and made available to _The Tide_, said the appointment was made by the 17th Governing Council following the successful conclusion of the selection process.
“The process was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the University of Port Harcourt Act,” the statement read.
It added that the process involved the constitution of a Search Team and a Joint Council-Senate Selection Board. Both bodies carried out their responsibilities in accordance with extant laws and regulations governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities.
According to the statement, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, congratulated Professor Chike on his appointment.
Senator Ohuabunwa expressed confidence in Prof. Chike’s ability to provide visionary leadership for the continued growth and development of the University.
Professor Princewill R. Chike is expected to formally assume office as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt on July 13, 2026.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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Education commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct in Rivers ,, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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2 weeks ago

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June 8, 2026

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The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.
 Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation recently during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.
“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.
Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state
 He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.
 “Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.
While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.
 He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process. Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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RSU Law Professor Calls for Periodic Review of Nigeria’s Criminal Laws

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2 weeks ago

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June 8, 2026

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A Professor of Criminal Justice and Law at the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, Prof. Clifford Anaele Nwanyanwu, has advocated for periodic review of the nation’s criminal justice administration laws to reflect current societal needs and challenges.
Prof. Nwanyanwu noted that many of the criminal justice laws in use today date back to the pre-colonial era. He questioned their efficiency in addressing modern criminal justice administration, adding that the complex nature of adjudication often allows crime to thrive.
He made the call while delivering the university’s 132nd Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday at the Senate Conference Auditorium titled: “Society as Criminal Enterprise: Unravelling a Complex Justice System.”
The erudite legal scholar clarified that the lecture was not meant to condemn the country’s justice system. Instead, he said it was intended to highlight areas that require urgent attention.
He expressed concern that criminal justice practice in Nigeria is more dysfunctional than functional, and stressed that he wants to see a system that works effectively for all citizens.
“The essence of criminal justice administration is due process, and anything contrary is not it. Plea bargains help to fast-track trial processes and reduce delays,” he stated.
However, Prof. Nwanyanwu expressed worry that the sums recovered through plea bargain arrangements are often meagre compared to the wealth looted, noting that this contradicts the purpose of the arrangement.
To strengthen the system, he recommended merit-based recruitment of judicial officers with proven character and integrity. He also called for adequate funding, infrastructure development, removal of political interference, and ethical reorientation within the judiciary.
The law professor further recommended that the state should pay compensation to citizens when security officers are found culpable for arbitrary killings, in line with the principle of vicarious liability.
In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, commended the lecturer. He described the lecture as timely and relevant to addressing the nagging challenges of crime in society.
Prof. Zeb-Obipi expressed concern over the justice system’s inability to curb the rising rate of criminal activities in the state. He added that through inaugural lectures, the university continues to provide solution-based approaches to societal challenges.
Our correspondent reports that the thought-provoking lecture was attended by stakeholders in the judicial system, judges, magistrates, scholars, and members of the university community.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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