Education

FG Lauds UNIPORT’s Academic Excellence

Published

13 years ago

February 11, 2013

The Federal Government has expressed delight over the higher academic heights attained by the University of Port Harcourt.

President Goodluck Jonathan made the commendation Saturday at the 29th Convocation ceremony of the University.

“Let me commend the Governing Council, Management, Senate and staff of this university for the great strides that have been made collectively, to take this institution to higher academic heights,” Jonathan said.

President Jonathan, who urged the institution not to relent in making the nation proud in its sustained tradition of academic excellence, said the Federal Government has taken note of on-going projects within the university.

“It is hoped that by the next convocation most of these projects, funded mostly through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TetFund) and the internally generated revenue of the university, would have been completed,” he promised.

Represented in the ceremony by the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof Ruqayyatu Ahmed Rufai, the president, who indicated special interest in commencement of Law programmes in the university, stated that the sum of N1 billion had been committed to it, out of which N500 million had already been released to demonstrate government’s commitment.

The president further reiterated his administration’s commitment to provision of access and quality education at all levels in the country and assured that government would sustain and improve effective teaching, learning and research as to support the rapid development of the country.

Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Joseph Ajienka had earlier stated that the Senate of the University was working tirelessly to ensure best practices both in teaching and learning.

Prof Ajienka said that UNIPORT was determined to ensure that research results no longer serve the purpose of promotion for academics alone but to create wealth and make it relevant to society as is the case in other societies.

Highlight of the event was the conferment of Honorary Degree on billionaire business Mogul, Alike Dangote and three other accomplished personalities for their immense contributions to the country and humanity.

The others were Ace Historian, Emeritus Professor Tekena Tamuno, President of the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF), Dr Lamine Diack Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon.

A total of 6,938 bagged Bachelor’s, Master’s and Ph.D while 1,648 received certificates.

A further breakdown shows that 20 got First Class grade, 5,208 got first degree, 1,581 got masters while 149 got the prestigious Ph.D.

Chris Oluoh

Education

ENUC President tasks ASTEC foundation Schools on dedication, value oriented teaching

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

ASTEC Foundation Schools (AFS) owned by the seventh_ day adventist church had the distinct honour of hosting the President of the Eastern Nigeria Union Conference (ENUC), Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara, on his first official pastoral visit to the institution Owerrita in Abia state, recently.

The visit which marked a significant moment in the history of the school, featured the dedication of the newly landscaped roads, dedication of renovated buildings and the consecration of pupils and staff.

The ENUC President who was accompanied by the President of the Aba North Conference (ANC), Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo, further emphasized the importance of the visit and the strong support of the Church leadership toward the advancement of Adventist education.

It is noteworthy that Pastor Onyebuchi Thomas Opara also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Management of ASTEC, demonstrating his deep commitment to the institution’s progress and mission.

Addressing the teachers students and pupils of the college at Owerrenta in Abia state over the weekend,Pastor Opara charged the teachers to see themselves as missionaries within the school system, emphasizing the need to model Christ-like character and values before the pupils entrusted to their care.

He encouraged them to regard their profession as a divine calling, shaping both the intellectual and spiritual lives of the learners.

In his welcome address, the Principal of ASTEC, Pastor Ahaoma Chigozirim Nwanma, PhD, warmly received the distinguished guests. He expressed heartfelt appreciation to the ENUC leadership for their continued support and commitment to the growth of the Adventist institution and humbly solicited their prayers for the staff and pupils.

The Headmistress of ASTEC Foundation Schools, Mrs. Charity Nwankwo, delivered the vote of thanks, and expressed deep gratitude to Pastor Opara for his pastoral visit and dedicatory prayers. She also acknowledged Pastor Henry Emeka Nwankwo and the ASTEC community leadership team for their consistent support, guidance, and commitment to the development of the Foundation Schools.

A special recognition was accorded to the PTA Chairman, Hon. (MG) Uzoma George, for his invaluable contributions and steadfast support to the school.

The visit was graced by ASTEC community leaders, as well as members of AFS staff and pupils, who gave a warm and enthusiastic reception to the visiting dignitaries.

The visit and dedication ceremony reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Church and school leadership to fostering a conducive learning environment that promotes academic excellence, spiritual growth, and character development.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Opobo Kingdom moves to incorporate Ibani Language Into School Curriculum, Takes Off April

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

In a bid to preserve the cultural heritage and promote the values of Opobo Kingdom, the Ibani Language will be reinstated and incorporated into the various communities and institutions of learning.

This reinstatement was declared by the Amanyanabo-Elect of Opobo Kingdom, Alabo Charles Douglas MacPepple-Jaja, Jeki VI , saying that the initiative will take effect from next month

The Amanyanabo-Elect made this statement during his speech recently in port Harcourt,where he stated that the initiative was a key component hinged on his five-point agenda.

The Monarch explained that the goal was to enhance the indigenous language and incorporate everyone at different strata including children and youths from ages 4-16.

The King Elect further added that, in order to achieve this, there would be deployment of modern multimedia tools to facilitate the process.

The Monarch also assured that research techniques will be deployed as there will be partnership with schools and communities across the Opobo clan.

He maintained that the execution of the project is a major step in the preservation of the Ibani Language and Cultural heritage of the people.

Education

NUJ demands strong actions in revamping education in Rivers

Published

1 day ago

March 23, 2026

The Tide

Members of the Rivers State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) have taken bold steps regarding the deteriorating educational standards across the state and called for urgent government actions to stem the tide. They argued that both basic and secondary schools across the 23 local government areas of the state require state government action towards restructuring the highly decayed infrastructure.

This was part of the eight-point communique reached at the end of the special congress of the union in Port Harcourt to mark the first-year anniversary of the present union leadership in the state. The union observed that if no immediate government action is taken to address the infrastructural decay in public schools in the state, the educational future in the state will be a mirage.

The communiqué signed by

Mr. Paul Bazia -Nsaneh

Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council ,

Ijeoma Tubosia Ph.D

Secretary NUJ Rivers State Council , and members of the

Communique Drafting Committee.

Dr. Justice Ihunwo – Chairman ,

Dr. Joy Grant-Amadi – Secretary and

Mr. Chukwudi Ejimofor – Member reaffirmed the position of the union on the state affairs and the nation at large.

The union also urged the state government, as a matter of urgent public concern, to commence the immediate employment of new teachers to fill the gaps caused by the dearth of teachers, stressing the need to post the would-be new teachers to local communities that are lacking teaching manpower.

Recently, the newly appointed Commissioner for Education in the state, Dr. Peters Nwagor, reaffirmed his commitment to implementing transformative education with the sole purpose of achieving inclusive and equitable learning across the state.

We hope that the commissioner will match his words with action and swing into action to give schools in the state a breath on new academic life.

By: Akujobi Amadi