News

UNIPORT Wins World Bank Grant

Published

12 years ago

December 6, 2013

Mrs Daniel-Kalio Blessing, GM Business Development RSSDA (left) chating with Mr Kalada Apiaf during the 29th annual general meeting of Manufacturer Association of Nigeria in Port Harcourt, recently

Following evaluation of two major proposals on oilfield submitted to the World Bank, the University of Port Harcourt has won the Banks grant to set up oil field chemicals, through the institution’s Institute of Petroleum Studies (IPS).
The African centre of excellence (ACE) project Secretary Committee, (PSC) met in Dakar, Senegal on October 28th this year, following the final selection and presentation of the outcome of what is described as rigorous desk evaluation of Universities and Research Institutes that applied for the competitive grant.
The grant implemented under the auspices of Association of African Universities (AAU) would be the highest outside intervention fund to universities.
The Tide gathered that 53 proposals were submitted for evaluation by West African and Central African Universities while Uniport submitted two proposals pursuant to the establishment of centres of excellence in Agriculture and oil field chemicals out of which 15 tertiary institutions were chosen for the grant worth millions of Dollars.
UNIPORT was awarded the grant in the category of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
A statement signed by the coordinator, communications and Information Technology Department of (AAU), Abigail Nyamson, revealed that seven universities in Nigeria were lucky recipients in health, agriculture, science and engineering. The successful Nigerian Universities are Redeemer’s University, Ogun State University for Health, African University of Science and Technology, Abuja for STEM, Federal University of Agric, Abuokuta, University of Jos, for health, Uniben for health and Uniport for STEM.
The ACE project co-ordinator, Prof. Jonathan Mba led a high powered delegation comprising the managing director of Botho University Botswana, Prof. Sheela Raja Ram, President, European Universities Assocation (EUA), Prof. Maria Helina Nazars and Prof. of Maths of the University of Michigan, USA, Nkem Khumbah to assess the preparedness of the universities on the programme.
Vice Chancellor of University of Port Harcourt, Prof Joseph Ajienka expressed gratitude to the project steering committee and AAU for extending the grant to his university.
Prof. Ajienka said the purpose for which it was made would be realized to attract more grants to Uniport.
“I am very enthused to receive the news of such vital grant to this University (Uniport) for which we remain eternally grateful to Almighty God for His abundant grace in seeing our proposal through”, he said, noting that the grant confirms Uniport as African Centre of Excellence in oilfield chemical studies and IPS as an African Centre of Excellence in Petroleum Studies.
“it is a very fitting development as we prepare to celebrate this institute at ten years of uninterrupted academic activities”, the VC said.
The VC who dedicated the grant to Total Exximobil P Limited for the company’s novel innovative thinking in higher education in Nigeria and also dedicated it to the 5th VC emeritus Prof. Nemi Briggs for his foresight, wisdom and resilience in establishing IPS in 2003.
The Uniport VC commended all the line officers who worked had to make the grant possible in view of the stiff competitions with other institutions.
He also thanked the debut Vice Chancellor (Research and Development) Prof Bene Willis Abbey and the director of the Centre of Research Management, Prof. Onyewuchi Akaranta and the Faculties of Engineering and Agriculture for working hard to make the grant possible.

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.