The Vice Chancellor of the
University of Port Harcourt (Uniport), Professor Joseph Ajienka last Friday tasked the first 230 Diploma Law students of the institutions  emergent law faculty to be studious.
Professor Ajienka, who gave the charge at a two-day orientation programme organized by the faculty of Law, told the students to also “uphold the high reputation of the university at all times as worthy ambassador of the Institution.
While expressing satisfaction with the measures initiated so far by the Pioneer Dean of the faculty, Professor Kaniye Ebeku and his team at fulfilling the aspirations of the university in establishing the Faculty of Law, he promised the commitment of his administration to the success of the faculty.
He noted that the administration “will do everything possible to develop a  befitting faculty of Law that would compete favourably with its peers in and outside the country.”
The Vice Chancellor, who was represented by the Director, College of continuing education (CCE), Professor Steve Okodudu, further commended the collaboration between CCE and the Faculty of Law, which facilitated the commcement of the Diploma Programme, being midwife by the college.
In his welcome address, the Dean of the Law faculty, Professor Ebeku recalled that senate of the University approved the establishment of the Faculty of Law at its 337th Extra-ordinary meeting in February, 2008.
He, however, expressed regret that no action was taken until 2010 when the university advertised for the recruitment of academic staff and later appointed him as pioneer Dean in 2013.
Professor Ebeka explained that “Successful graduates of the Diploma in Law Programe will be admitted  as direct entry candidates into the 200-level of the LLB programe, which would hopefully commence in the next academic session after obtaining the necessary approval from the National Universities Commission (NUC) and the Council of Legal Education (CLE)”.
For those who may be worried about the LLB Programme, he said,” Let me assure you that the Faculty of Law, working with important university officers and organs, is vigorously pursuing relevant processes for obtaining the approval of the NUC  and the CLE.
While thanking the Vice Chancellor for his commitment towards the commencement of legal studies in the university, Professor Ebeku noted that “apart from persuing the construction of a multi-purpose Faculty of Law building (currently ongoing), he approved part of the Emerald Energy Institute Building as a temporary  take-off site of the Faculty of Law.
He approved recommendations for appointment of law lectuers of various ranks without delay and has furnished the staff officer in a way equated by only a few Nigerian Law faculties,” he said.

Sogbeba Dokubo