Education

40th Anniversary: UNIPORT Inaugurates Landmark C’mittee

Published

11 years ago

October 27, 2014

In preparation for its 40th
anniversary celebrations in 2015, the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has inaugurated a 14-member landmark committee.
The committee is to identify landmark projects that define the uniqueness of the institution since its establishment by the Federal Government in 1975.
In his inaugural speech, titled “Unique UNIPORT at 40 (1975-2015): making Unique UNIPORT more unique”, Vice Chancellor of the school, Professor Joseph Ajienka tasked members of the committee to work out appropriate modalities to celebrate same landmark achievements of the university.
Professor Ajienka categorized the tasks of the committee into plans, people, projects and publication.
“We are celebrating the uniqueness of a unique university in forty years, so you should identify 40 Unique Alumni, 40 Unique teachers, 40 unique Art Stars, 40 unique sportsmen and women, 40 unique benefactors/honorary degree awardees, and 40 stakeholders for the commemoration”, charged the committee.
While stressing the need to ensure that every activity of the celebration resolves around 40 as a symbolic figure, Professor Ajienka tasked the committee to avail itself the opportunity of the celebration to generate funds to enable the university undertake iconic projects on campus.
He suggested that the pyramid of donations should range from 40 to 400 million.
The Vice Chancellor expressed satisfaction with what he called “entrepreneurial drive” of the university which he said, provides ample opportunity for the institution to benefit from a development model of internationalization at home through linkages with international and national partners.
It also include affiliation to professional bodies and industry partnerships, noting that such collaborates had contributed towards making the university a centre of excellence in petroleum and energy studies, creating and Performing Arts and Sports.
Ajienka noted landmark achievements of the school to include the World Bank African Centre of Excellence in oilfield chemicals Research; Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board Cluster on oilfield chemicals, and First African Virtual University Partner Institution in open and Distance E-learning in Nigeria.
Others are TOTAL Partner Institution in the Gulf of Guinea and NGREN Node for South –East and South-South Zones.
In his acceptance speech, Chairman of the Committee, Professor Tony Arinze thanked the V-C for the opportunity given members to serve the university.
He urged members to “study the inaugural speech of the V.C to enable them get detailed understanding of the task before them.
Other members of the committee are: Professors Joha Enemugwem, Henry Njoku and Julet Okoh.
Mrs Bridget Nzimiro, Williams Wodi, Dr Ngozi Odu, Edwinah Amah, Ken Umeadi, as well s Chika Chinwo, Emmanuel Amadi, Lt Col. Reginald Isigozo and Miss Obele Wokoma forms the remainng number with Mrs Nkechi Barinua serving as secretary.

Education

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

Published

2 days 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

2 days 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

2 days 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