Education

‘RSG Determined To Provide Free, Qualitative Education’

Published

15 years ago

February 7, 2011

The Rivers State Government has restated its determination to ensure free and compulsory qualitative education in all public schools in the state.

Making the declaration last Thursday at the first quarterly meting of the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) management with executive chairman of State Universal Basic Education Boards in Port Harcourt, the state Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi emphasized that “we have the will to do it, and we will continue to do it, God being our helper.”

Amaechi, who was represented by Barrister Osima Ginah, the state commissioner for Urban Development, noted that steps have been taken to ensure the success of the free education projects in the state.

He recalled that towards this end, the sum of N70 billion was appropriated to education in the 2010 approved budget in addition to the construction of child-friendly schools spread across the state in order to provide the best facilities for all.

“We believe that the children of the poor and those in the rural areas also deserve the good things of life,” he said.

According to the Governor, these and other notable steps were taken on the realisation that the education sector was almost moribund.

“On assumption of office in October 2007, my administration was faced with stark reality of a comatose education sector. Infrastructure were degenerating, while the morale of teachers and education managers was at its lowest ebb.

“Instructional materials could at best be described as scarce commodities as teachers unconsciously levied pupils and students to raise funds for the procurement of these needed materials for teaching and learning,” the Governor said.

Consequently, “we quickly realised that if growth and advancement of the state would be achieved, the citizenry must be properly educated as this will also liberate them from the shackles of poverty.”

So far, the governor explained that “all hindrances to the acquisition of education have been removed with the construction of model primary/secondary school fitted and equipped with modern world class facilities.”

In his opening speech, the executive secretary, UBEC, Dr Ahmed Modibbo Mohammed eulogised the state government in the provision of quality infrastructure and equipment of such schools, saying that Rivers State has set the pace for quality education in the country.

He explained that the essence of the quarterly meeting of UBEC management with SUBEB chairman has been to constantly review progress in basic education delivery in order to keep abreast with the UBE mandate.

Earlier in his welcome address, the executive chairman of RSUBEB, Dr Orutemeka, enumerated what the board had been doing towards the fulfillment of quality education in the state.

According to him, “on the part of the board, we have intensified monitoring and evaluation of teaching and learning, restructure and merged schools for greater efficiency, carried out needs based training programmes for both teaching and non-teaching staff, provided teaching aids and consumables in schools, executed achievement tests for pupils, and maintained good relations with our various publics, including the UBEC, Abuja.

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