Education

NCSU Boss Bags NANS Leadership Award

Published

14 years ago

July 29, 2012

The Chairman of the Rivers State chapter of the Nigeria Civil Service Union (NCSU), Comrade O.T. Lilly-West, has been honoured with Kwame Nkrumah Leadership Award by the leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) for his outstanding leadership and contributions to the welfare of civil servants in the state.

Presenting the award at the Ikwerre Road Secretariat of NCSU in Port Harcourt, during a colourful event last Tuesday, the chairman of the Joint ACampus Committeee of NANS, Comrade Lah Amabu explained that the NCSU chairman was nominated for the award because of his leadership pedigree and his commitment to improve the welfare of civil servants, whom he said were parents of students, as well as leading a rancour-free industrial union in the state.

According to him, NANS had watched with keen interest the outstanding leadership exhibited by Comrade Lilly-West and came to the inevitable conclusion that he deserved the award in order to encourage him do more for civil servants in the state.

Describing it as an Encouragement Award, Amabu urged the NCSU boss not to rest on his oars but to be spurred by the award to do more for workers.

He said the contributions of Comrade Lilly-West to the workforce had marked him out as a role model for all to emulate.

Also speaking, the President of the Senate of the National Union of Rivers State Students (NURSS), Comrade Gospel N. Nsane said Lilly-West was nominated for the award because of his pragmatic and unique contributions to the welfare of workers, saying, the NCSU boss was the first labour leader in the state to be honoured with the award which he noted had been the exclusive preserve for politicians.

He said the award symbolised a new tie of friendship and relationship between labour and students in the state, and urged the recipient to continue with his good works.

Responding, the state Chairman of NCSU, Comrade O.T. Lilly-West thanked NANS for the honour done him, saying, the gesture would motivate him to do more.

The labour leader who said he was bereft of words over the gesture noted that NANS had by that singular action told him to continue to do what he was doing, assuring that NCSU leadership in the state would continue to create a conducive environment for students to take over as leaders of tomorrow. The State Vice Chairman of the Joint Negotiating Council described the award as a reward for dedication and selfless service to humanity.

In his vote of thanks, a member of NCSU, Comrade Barisere Bedele thanked NANS leadership for the gesture, and described it as a challenge to the leadership of NCSU and the rest of the members. He prayed God to give Lilly-West the wisdom to continue to pilot the affairs of the union.

Donatus Ebi

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