President Goodluck Jonathan, has expressed excitement over the high academic standard attained by the University of Port Harcourt.

At the university’s 28th convocation ceremony held Saturday, Jonathan remarked that the institution had proved itself a citadel of learning in academics, sports, research and national development, and commended UNIPORT authorities for maintaining the culture of academic excellence.

The President, who was represented at the occasion by the Minister of Education, Prof Raqayyatu Ahmed Rufa’i noted that university of Port Harcourt was the epi-centre of oil and gas in Nigeria in view of the fact that it was located at place where most multinational oil and gas companies operate in the country, and enjoined operators in the industry to build sustainable collaboration with the institution for mutual success, especially in research sponsorship.

Jonathan reiterated the strong commitment of his administration in providing conducive academic environment for better education, and challenged Nigerian universities to strive at competing favourably with their counterparts in other parts of the world.

Minister for Education, Prof. Rukayatu Ahmed Rufai described Rt Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, as an action governor, saying, she was greatly impressed with Governor Amaechi’s great achievements, especially in the education sector in Rivers State.

The minister commended the Rivers State governor for being a great friend to universities across the country and for his great efforts in the education sector in Rivers State.

“Let me particularly congratulate His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, on your re-election. You are, indeed, an action governor and you are also obviously friendly to universities in the country”.

“Let me again commend you, Governor Amaechi for your huge support to, and construction of access road in the University of Port Harcourt, and the building of model primary and secondary schools in Rivers State,” she said.

Earlier in his address, the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Joseph Ajienka had said the new focus of the institution was to transform it to an entrepreneurial university, a change in the mission of teaching, research and community service.

Others he said include development of different polymers used in formulation of drilling fluid and oilfield chemicals and reception of two major grants, Mac Arthur Foundation Grant to establish the institute of Natural Resources and also Environment and Sustainable Development and Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), amongst numerous others.

Prof Ajienka also noted that UNIPORT had graduated to an undisputed centre of excellence in sports by winning Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Cup for four consecutive times and winning West African University Games (WAUG) Cup for three consecutive times in Burkina Faso, Ghana and Ilorin, Nigeria, and had a signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Nigerian Olympics Committee (NOC) aimed at making the university an Olympics African Centre.

Ajienka said that Mr Boma Tubotamuno of the Department of Economics emerged the best graduating student with a CGPA of 4.78 on a scale of 5 points.

Some 5, 756 received first degrees, postgraduate diploma and doctorates.

A run-down of the figures shows that 14 students graduated in first class, 817, second class upper division and 1, 468, second class lower division.

Also, 308 students graduated with third class degree, 78, pass, 1, 083 postgraduate Diploma, 532 Masters’ Degrees and 98 obtained doctorates. .

Honorary doctorates were conferred on the Chairman of Stanbic-IBTC Bank Plc, Dr Atedo Peterside, Chairman of Afren Energy Services, Dr Egbert Imomoh and the Managing Director of Diamond Bank Plc, Dr. Alex Otti.

Chris Oluoh