Education

Polytechnic Education, Key To Dynamic Economy – Don

Published

11 years ago

August 24, 2015

Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State (right), presenting a certificate to the best Student, Flt. Lt. Christian Mensah, at the 44th Convocation of Air Force Institute of Technology, in Kaduna on Wednesday.

A Polytechnic teacher, Dr
Adaku Ngozi Achilike, says a well-groomed polytechnic education is a necessity for the development of any society.
Dr Achilike, who made this assertion recently , at the 3rd National Conference on Polytechnic Education held in Port Harcourt, noted that unlike university education which focuses on physical and intellectual skills, polytechnic education focuses on physical and practical skills.
The implication of this, she hinted, is that university education at the end of the day provides what can be seen as “Blue print” to development while polytechnic education provides “revival”.
“It is important to note that ‘blue print’ is not required to produce excellence students but ‘revival’ can do the magic through paradigm shifts, bearing in mind the technological age we find ourselves at each point in time,” she said.
Polytechnic education, the Associate Professor of Business Education, continued” is deemed as that which offers opportunity for hands-on experience within dynamic on progressive learning setting, with emphasis on practice-base of the university.
According to her, it involves work attachment with industries as part of the curriculum. She however noted that such attachments are currently being done haphazardly.
Discussing on the topic “polytechnic education for science and technology in an emerging economy,” Dr Achilike made comparism between polytechnic education and skill/competency building, polytechnic education and knowledge base, as well as polytechnic education for science and technology.
Regarding skill/competency building, she stated that skill is the capacity to do things well with emerging technologies and can be learned or acquired.
Competency, on the other hand, is a sustainable way of doing things with conscious, superiority and mastery.
“Skills and competencies rule the world while skills and competencies in science and technology shave/shape the world into a more vibrant place for the young and old.
She concluded that with vision 20:2020 by the corner, “well tailored polytechnic education is the desired veritable tool for great achievement and good placement, given skill competency, appropriate knowledge base for improved science and technology system to give a dynamic economic. We shall then compete with comity of nations”.
Narrowing down the topic of the conference to the Nigerian context, Dr Obasi O. Oko in his paper identified key stakeholders who must play their parts to develop Nigeria technologically.
According to him, “the government of Nigeria, the National Assembly, captains of industries, drivers of the polytechnic system and other stakeholders should change their negative attitudes towards technical education in general, and polytechnic education in particular.
“They should also accord the system the prime of place it deserves in the national scheme of things. For, in the system lies the future greatness of Nigeria in terms of techno-industrial development”, he said.

Sogbeba Dokubo

Education

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

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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