Education

WAEC Centre Approval: Proprietress Applauds Wike …As School Honours Teachers, Students

Published

10 years ago

July 25, 2016

The Proprietress of Dia
mond Stars International School, Port Harcourt, Mrs. Helen Oboka, has commended Rivers State Governor, Chief Nvesorn Wike for recently approving the school as a WAEC Centre for the 2016/2017 May/June Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE).
Mrs. Oboka, who made the commendation during the school’s graduation and prize giving day ceremony at the school’s premises within the Rumuosi axis of the ‘East-West Road in Port Harcourt on Wednesday indicated that the WAEC Centre approval had opened a new vista for the school in its avowed commitment to academic excellence and high standards, adding that the gesture was a clarion call for the institution to grow from strength to strength.
According to her, by granting the approval to the school, Governor Wike has shown that he is not only interested in education in Rivers State but is also a’ lover of qualitative education, having previously served the country as Supervising Minister of Education.
Mrs. Oboka further contended that the quest for the school to secure the WAEC Centre approval had been long and tortuous, having lingered for several years, and thanked Governor Wike for according such rare privilege to private schools in the state.
While also commending the governor for the development strides so far recorded by his administration, particularly in the education sector, the Proprietress thanked parents and teachers of the school for their commitment and dedication, stressing that students of the school had used the graduation/prize giving day ceremony to showcase all that they had learnt and acquired in the school.
Also speaking, the Principal of the school, Mr. Ogbilikana Awaji – Imam Anderson said the school, which was founded in September, 2008 had grown in leaps and bounds, both in terms of infrastructure and population of teachers and students, as it can today boast of over 40 teachers and 250 pupils and students.
According to him, “the school is a choice destination for academic excellence and qualitative education, a citadel of learning where champions erupt”.
Based on this, he said, the Rivers State Ministry of Education considered it necessary to approve the school as a WAEC Centre after series of inspections.
Mr. Anderson, therefore, urged parents to avail themselves of this opportunity and register their children and wards for the May/June 2017 Senior Secondary Certificate Examination (SSCE), disclosing that the school had set academic standard in quiz competition, essay writing and Spelling Bee National Competition, in which students of the school represented Rivers State in Lagos.
The high point of the occasion was the presentation of prizes to outstanding teachers and students. Among the teachers honoured include Mrs. Perpetua Ifeanyi Ejiogu, Best Form Teacher, Mrs. Elizabeth Irogbundu, Most Punctual Teacher and Mrs. Samuel Kpoturu, Most Dedicated Teacher.
The Senior Prefect of the school, Master Victor Ebi smiled home with the Best Dressed Student, Mathematics/Science Quiz Competition and Outstanding Academic Performance prizes while Miss Sharon Secondus carted away the Spelling Bee Competition prize.

Donatus Ebi

Education

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

Published

3 days 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

3 days 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

3 days 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