President Goodluck Jonathan said the Federal Government recently approved the establishment of a nuclear energy centre for the University of Port Harcourt to principally advance the frontiers of knowledge in atomic energy, space and all the elements that can act as conveyor-belts for technological advancement of the country.

President Jonathan, an alumnus of UNIPORT stated this at the 26th Convocation ceremony of the institution.

The president, who stressed the need for job creation in the country, reiterated that one way to achieve that was to grow the economy by increasing the nation’s investment in education, especially training and research.

He used the forum to emphasise his earlier promise to ensure credible elections in the country with the help of all Nigerians, especially the youths, and promised to set up a “facebook account that will focus primary on the exchange of ideas”.

“As we approach the end of this administration, our first task will be to register to vote as soon as the voters register in every ward in our country is open.  Our second task is to vote when the time comes. 

“The connection between voting and  the conditions for sustainable development is strong.  Once we can successfully prevent a few people from determining the outcome  of elections, all leaders immediately come into the service of general good.

“There will neither be accountability nor development when political leaders owe their privilege of power to the narrow interest of a few”, he stated.

The president who titled his speech, “Nigeria Youths: A call to possibilities”, said he was encouraged by the brilliance, patriotism and passion for excellence demonstrated by the Nigerian youths and assured that he would rely on the ideas, energy and cooperation of all and sundry.

He did not, however, fail to pay glowing tributes to departed Nigerian students, the university’s administrators and academics, even as he advised products of the institution to worthy ambassadors.

Earlier in his address, the out-going Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Don Baridam listed the achievements of his administration and lauded the federal government’s amnesty programme, pointing out that exposing the repentant militants to different skills locally or internationally would be “an enduring counterpoint to armed struggle”.

Honorary Doctorate degrees were awarded to the Chancellor of the university, HRM De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi 1, the Oba Akran of Badagry, the second VC of the university, Prof. Sylvanus Cookey, World Bank Managing Director and former Nigeria’s Finance Minister, Dr. Ngozi Okonji-Iweala. Other awardees were erstwhile Cross River State Governor, Donald Duke, retired Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mohammed Uwais and renowned Professor of Medicine, Aniezionuw Okoro.

Hamilton Amadi