Education

New Rector Promises To Upgrade LASPOTECH

Published

11 years ago

July 13, 2015

The newly appointed
Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic (LASPOTECH), Mr Oluyinka Sogunro, last Thursday pledged to improve the institution’s fortunes during his tenure.
Sogunro made the pledge during his formal inauguration as the 10th Rector held in the School of Agriculture auditorium, in Ikorodu, Lagos State.
The Tide’s source reports that Governor Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State had on June 25 approved the appointment of Sogunro as the incumbent rector to replace Mr Abulazeez Lawal whose tenure had expired on June 1.
“I am humbled by the state government’s announcement of my appointment as Rector of our great institution.
“Under my leadership, all my efforts shall be geared toward the sustenance of the culture of excellence handed over by successive administrations in the polytechnic.
“I promise to do my utmost to ensure that LASPOTECH improves on its current rating, from being one of the foremost polytechnics in our country, to becoming the best tertiary institution in Nigeria and on the continent of Africa.
“Also, we shall strengthen the cordial relationship currently existing between the polytechnic and all government agencies and institutions that are relevant to the continued development of the polytechnic,” the rector said.
Sogunro said that his administration would focus on the high quality status of academic programmes, intensify research activities and improve teaching and learning facilities.
He also promised that his administration would provide a broadband internet connectivity on the three campuses of the polytechnic, improve staff welfare and infrastructure, amongst others.
The rector solicited the support of the state government in surmounting the challenges faced by the institution.
“These challenges, which are not peculiar to the institution, include: inadequate funding, poor staffing, ill-equipped laboratories, dwindling internal revenue, and containment of land grabbers,” he said.
Sogunro promised to work closely with the institution’s labour unions, the Students’ Union and other stakeholders to ensure the school attained an enviable position.
Earlier, in her address of welcome, a senior staff member of the institution, Mrs Ronke Ige, described the new rector as “an amiable, kind and erudite scholar”.
“He has been in this terrain as the Deputy Rector, Administration, which he handled brilliantly and successfully, and has been part of LASPOTECH’s success story since,” Ige said.
Another staff member of the institution, Mr Emmanuel Adesina, administered the oath of office to the new rector, whose tenure would end on May 31,2020.
Former rectors of the institution, government dignitaries, and members of staff graced the inauguration.

Education

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

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

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

Education

Education commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct in Rivers ,, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

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

Education

RSU Law Professor Calls for Periodic Review of Nigeria’s Criminal Laws

Published

2 weeks ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

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