Former Students’ Union Government (SUG) leaders of the University of Port Harcourt, have organised a one-day symposium in honour of the institution’s outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof Owunari Abraham Georgewill, as his tenure draws to a close.
The maiden symposium, with the theme, “Resolution: From Agitations to Negotiations,” was convened by five past presidents of the university’s SUG as a mark of appreciation for what they described as a student-friendly and peaceful administration under the 9th Vice Chancellor of the university.
The event, held recently at the University of Port Harcourt Centre of Excellence, Abuja Campus, attracted past and present student leaders, members of the academic community, and invited guests.
In his remarks, the current SUG President, Sen. Amaechi Walson Tonye, said the cordial relationship between the Vice Chancellor and the student body informed the decision to organise the symposium, noting that students were proud to associate with a Vice Chancellor who consistently listened to their concerns and prioritised dialogue in resolving issues.
He commended the past SUG leaders for taking the bold initiative to honour the Vice Chancellor, describing the gesture as a reflection of the mutual respect and understanding that characterised the administration.
Speaking in an interview, Prof. Georgewill expressed gratitude to God and the students for the recognition accorded him. He described the honour as deeply significant, recalling that from his first day in office, he pledged to work closely with students to foster peace and ensure uninterrupted academic activities.
According to him, the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed on campus over the past five years was a result of deliberate engagement and a shared commitment to negotiation rather than confrontation.
“For the five years of my administration, we did not experience student-related demonstrations, closure of the school, or management-student crises, which are common in many institutions.We are celebrating because we chose negotiation over agitation. That is the essence of today’s honour,” he said.
He urged Vice Chancellors and student union leaders across the country to prioritise dialogue in addressing grievances, stressing that negotiation remains the best pathway to stability and academic progress.
Prof. Georgewill added that he would like to be remembered for humble and humane leadership anchored on inclusiveness and constructive engagement. He attributed the stability and infrastructural development recorded during his tenure to the grace of God and the cooperation of stakeholders.
The symposium featured a keynote lecture delivered by Prof. Obari Gomba, presentation of awards to the Vice Chancellor and the Dean of Student Affairs, Prof. Wokoma Chima, as well as a drama performance and goodwill messages from former SUG presidents.
Among those who spoke were Comrade Ubabuike Gift; Comrade Dickson Senibo; Comrade Okpara Martins; and Comrade Harmony Lawrence, who initiated and coordinated the event alongside other past student leaders.
The event concluded with renewed calls for sustained collaboration between university management and students to preserve the culture of peace and dialogue at the institution.

The re-elected Chairman of Oyigbo Local Government Area, Hon. Elder Okechukwu Akara Nwaorgu, has reconstituted key committees to strengthen governance, boost internally generated revenue (IGR), and improve service delivery across the local government.
The inauguration, held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at the council headquarters, is part of the chairman’s ongoing administrative reforms aimed at ensuring efficiency, accountability, and grassroots development.
Addressing the newly appointed members, Hon. Akara described their selection as a call to dedicated service, emphasizing that governance at the local level requires teamwork, discipline, and transparency. He reaffirmed his commitment to people-oriented policies and warned that any appointee found wanting in the discharge of duties would be relieved of their responsibilities without hesitation.
“The reconstitution of these committees is necessary to streamline council operations, block revenue leakages, and restore order in public spaces, particularly in areas affected by illegal street trading and unauthorized motor parks,” Hon. Akara stated. “Strengthening the council’s revenue base will enable the execution of more infrastructural and social projects across all communities in Oyigbo.”
The Chairman of the Revenue Committee, Senibo Daniel Chijindu, expressed gratitude for his reappointment and pledged to justify the confidence placed in him. He assured residents that the committee would introduce innovative strategies to expand revenue sources while ensuring transparency and compliance with laid-down regulations.

“Boosting internally generated revenue remains central to funding developmental initiatives and enhancing the overall financial stability of the local government,” Chijindu said. “We will work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure revenue collection processes are organized, accountable, and free from sharp practices.”

Hon. Nwankwo Darlington, Chairman of the Committee on Illegal Motor Parks, Street Trading, Road Traffic, and Decongestion, also inaugurated as the Chief Security Officer of the council, stated that the committee had begun steps to sanitize public spaces and enforce order in line with urban management objectives. He warned illegal traders and operators of unauthorized motor parks to relocate to designated areas, noting that adequate market spaces had been provided. He further cautioned members against sabotage or misconduct.

Observers say the latest moves align with broader governance and development efforts by local governments across Rivers State to enhance revenue generation, improve environmental sanitation, and promote orderly commercial activities.

In addition to revenue and anti-illegal trading initiatives, Hon. Akara’s administration has also focused on education and social empowerment. In 2025, the council launched free NECO external exam registration for youths, reflecting a commitment to youth development and educational access. The chairman has also promoted community engagement through events such as the Nigeria@65 Independence Day symposium, encouraging civic participation and patriotism among residents.

Infrastructure development remains a priority, with recent road projects improving connectivity across Oyigbo communities. These initiatives, supported by federal and regional agencies, aim to facilitate trade, mobility, and economic growth in the local government area.

Other committees inaugurated by the chairman include Environment, Local Vigilante, Road Decongestion, Traffic, Motor Park, and Street Trading, all designed to reinforce security, environmental management, and structured economic activity.

Residents have expressed optimism that the reconstituted committees, combined with the council’s ongoing social and infrastructure initiatives, will deliver on their mandates and contribute to sustainable development in Oyigbo.

Youths from five local government areas in Northern Cross River State have concluded a one-week warning protest and blockade of the dilapidated Ikom-Wula-Obudu federal highway over the weekend.
They have vowed to resume the road blocks if by this week the authorities do not intervene to fix the road.
More than five thousand locals, mostly youths from Obanliku, Etung, Obudu, Ikom and Boki LGAs trooped out everyday for one week, used palm trees to block the highway to draw state and federal government’s attention to their plights, requesting the repair of a road has has been unmotorable for about 40 years.
They warned that if they do not see any actions from the state or federal governments, they will resume their Plan B protest, stop revenue collections and make governance unpalatable.
The youths also warned that without interventions on the road which has claimed several lives, including that of last week when a pregnant woman died with her baby in the full glare of the protesters because of the terrible road, no election can hold in the area next year.
One of the leaders of the No Road , No Election protest, who is also the Abo Youths in Boki LGA, Dr Martins Assam said both the federal and state governments have neglected the region, which generates more than 70 percent state revenue from agriculture.
He said if machinery is not deployed by next week, they will not have any option than to embark on unpalatable and disastrous protest, and stop revenue collections in the area.
“Last week we had only a warning strike for one good week. We’ll embark on a more elaborate, disastrous one-month blockade of this highway until they intervene. We call on our Governor and representatives in the National Assembly to act now by impressing on the federal government to immediately fix this road else. We’re not asking for two much but to be treated as human beings.”
Another protester, Clinton Obi from the Etung axis said, “We’ve been neglected for 40 years. This Ikom-Obudu federal highway had been impassable. The government has removed its concentration from our plights. By this one week protest, we want action on this road otherwise the next phase of protest will be costly.”
Reverend Father Francis Amaozo, priest in charge of St. Nicholas parish in Nashua, Boki LGA said, “I have also been a victim of this very deplorable road. Enough is now enough. We’ve been betrayed by our representatives and other leaders, so that we in this axis have become endangered species on this road. I have lost some many members on this road.”
Member, representing the Boki-Ikom federal constituency of the state in the House of Representatives, Bisong Victor Abang had pleaded with the locals to be a bit more patient with the government as action will commence shortly.