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RSUST Expels 588 Students For Poor Performance …Honours Seven For Academic Excellence
About 588 students of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, have been forced to withdraw from their various academic programmes because of their inability to meet up the academic standard of the university.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Barineme Fakae, disclosed this yesterday at the 32rd matriculation ceremony of the university in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
While welcoming the newly admitted students, the vice chancellor reminded them that hardwork and dedication remained the watchword for academic excellence, stressing that the present administration in the university has zero-tolerance for examination malpractice and other social vices.
Fakae added that the Senate of the university would sanction any erring student found to have been involved in any of the unacceptable practices.
“You are, therefore, advised in your interest to obey the university rules and regulations, shun vices that will tarnish the good image of the university. We do not compromise on standard because our vision and values must continue to be held in high esteem,” the vice chancellor said.
Noting that matriculation ceremonies are rituals to announce formal admission of fresh students, Prof Fakae said “the matriculation oath you have taken today contains ethos and rules of intellectual engagement that will guide your behaviour all through the period of your stay in this university.”
The vice chancellor also explained the path to academic excellence in quality decision, diligence, doggedness, and devotion to God, and advised them to maintain excellence in line with the vision of the institution’s founding fathers.
He said that the institution has over the years developed academic programmes and faculties comparable to those in other countries, and that the onus was on the students to make proper use of both material and human resources at their disposal to their advantage.
Prof Fakae further stressed the need for students to be information and communication technology (ICT) compliant as most businesses were online in the university, noting that “you will recall that you undertook a computerised registration process, which included payment of school fees, clearance and online registration of courses.”
According to him, non-registration as a student at the beginning of every session implies loss of studentship as no score would be imputed for courses that were undertaken without due course registration.
He revealed that out of over 10,000 candidates that applied to RSUST through the Joint Admission and Matriculations Board (JAMB) and went through the University Matriculation Examinations (UME), only 2,955 candidates were found worthy to be admitted within the National Universities Commission (NUC) approved carrying capacity.
Meanwhile, in sustenance of its avowed passion for creativity and excellence, authorities of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has honoured seven students for academic excellence.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Barineme Bekee Fakae, announced this yesterday during the 32rd matriculation ceremony held at the Convocation Arena of the institution in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.
The vice chancellor said that those honoured were students who emerged tops in the seven faculties of the university.
Top on the list is Miss Buekor Nyornebari Grace with matriculation number: DE2012/2550 of Applied and Environmental Biology, Faculty of Science, who scored 5.00 as her total 100-level CGPA. This means that Buekor scored A in all her courses in the first year.
Others were Okara Goodtime Chimnecherem with matriculation number: DE 2012/1603 in Public Law Department, who emerged best in the law faculty with 4.93 CGPA score; Okoroma Jeremiah Ifeanyi with matriculation number: DE 2012/1215 of Petroleum Engineering Department, who emerged first in the Faculty of Engineering with the CGPA score of 4.89; as well as Nwogu Prince Chinemerem with matriculation number: DE 2012/1346 of Quantity Surveying Department, who came tops in the Faculty of Environmental Sciences with CGPA score of 4.57.
Also honoured were Okorogu Chikwueabuka with matriculation number: DE 2012/2347 of Department of Accountancy, who came first in the Faculty of Management Sciences with CGPA of 4.33; Onyekwe Josefa Chiderah with matriculation number: DE 2012/0098 of Food Science and Technology, who emerged best in the Faculty of Agriculture with 4.08 CGPA score; as well as Briggs Sandra Opuene with matriculation number: DE 2012/3479 of Science and Technical Education, who emerged tops in the Faculty of Technical and Science Education, with CGPA score of 3.76.
The vice chancellor said those honoured were first year students, who came tops in their faculties.
They were given a laptop each as a way of encouraging them for their academic excellence.
Fakae said the award, which has become an annual ritual, is aimed at encouraging excellence and creativity in their academic pursuits.
He reiterated the fact that in the actualisation of creativity and excellence, the university would continue to encourage outstanding students, and urged the newly admitted students to take their studies seriously.
However, 588 students were asked to Withdraw for Academic Failure (WAF) as the vice chancellor noted that the present administration has zero tolerance for academic laxity.
Prof Fakae urged the new intakes to be diligent in their studies and to shun acts that could smear the good image of RSUST in its pursuit of excellence and creativity, stressing that those found below expectation would be shown the way out of the institution.
Accident victim at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Lagos as Joint Health Workers strike continues in Lagos State, yesterday.
Chris Oluoh
The Hausa Community in Rivers State has dissociated itself from media reports credited to one MaiwadaAdamu that the Arewa Community in Rivers State has appointed Alhaji Musa Saidu as the acting SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt, following the inability of the former SarkinHausawa, Alhaji Isa Madaki to carry out his functions.
MaidawaAdamu, who is also the spokesman of the Arewa Initiative for Peaceful Co-existence, had briefed journalists on the change, but in a swift reaction, the Office of Alhaji Isa Madaki, has come out to say that the only recognised body which has the powers to appoint the SarkinHausawa, PortHarcourt is the Council of SarkinHausawa in PortHarcourt headed by Alhaji Isa Madaki.
The statement also said Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki is the only recognisedSarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, adding that his appointment follows the proclamation and endorsement by the council members of SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The statement further called on the general public and all authorities concerned to give Alhaji Hussani Isa Madaki maximum co-operation and support,as he discharges his duties as SarkinHausawa, Port Harcourt.
The Suspended Rivers State Commissioner for health, Dr Adaeze Chidinma Oreh, has described as baseless allegations in some quarters that she was responsible for the purported disruption of the Nigerian First Lady’s empowerment program in Port Harcourt.
Dr Oreh, who said this in a statement personally signed by her and a copy made available to newsmen in Port Harcourt also described the allegation as a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers
According to Dr Oreh, “they are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord”
In her words,”the allegations levelled against me, Dr. Adaeze Oreh, regarding the supposed disruption of the First Lady’s empowerment programme on Friday 2nd May, 2025, are entirely unfounded, completely false, and a product of the sick imagination of rumour mongers and conflict entrepreneurs.
“They are nothing more than a feeble and mischievous attempt to tarnish my reputation and sow discord.”
The suspended commissioner challenged those behind the allegation, especially the Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation to show proof of its assertion adding “It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I challenge the “Concerned Rivers Youth Organisation” (assuming such a body really exists) to provide tangible proof to support their assertions.
“It is essential to base criticisms on facts rather than speculation or puerile political agendas.
“I have neither sponsored nor will sponsor any activities aimed at embarrassing or disrupting the activities of the administration appointed by His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR to oversee the affairs of Rivers State following his declaration of a state of emergency on Tuesday, 18th March, 2025, and have rather spent the time of my suspension from office focused on other endeavours and my doctoral studies.
“I reaffirm my commitment to working tirelessly for the progress and development of Rivers State.
“Furthermore, I believe that it is crucial for all stakeholders to promote a culture of truth, integrity, and respect in public discourse.
“Unsubstantiated wild claims undermine trust and hinder constructive engagement, and this is not what the state needs at this difficult and delicate time.
“I urge everyone to focus on issues that unite us and foster a positive, solution-driven dialogue for the betterment of our State, and urge everyone to work together to build a brighter future for Rivers State, grounded in truth, transparency, and collective effort,”she said.
By: John Bibor
The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) has called on key regulators, asset owners and other stakeholders to continue to support the agency toward the goal of remediating the Ogoni environment and restoring the livelihoods of the people and building structures for peace.
The Project Coordinator of HYPREP, Prof Nenibarini Zabbey, who made the call during the Project’s first quarter meeting with regulators, asset owners and stakeholders in Port Harcourt, urged the stakeholders to remain resolute in supporting HYPREP’s work.
“We particularly expect each regulatory agency and asset owner to deepen their involvement and continue to provide strategic support to the project”, he said, stressing that the quarterly meeting platform remains instrumental in providing a structural avenue for regulators, asset owners, and implementation partners to offer feedback to HYPREP on project performance and deliberate on ideas that move the project forward, as well as strengthen collaboration, deepen synergy and reinforce collective responsibility.
Zabbey disclosed that the socio-economic study of Ogoni has started, as HYPREP has contacted the International Agency for Research on Cancer of the World Health Organisation(WHO) to commence in the next quarter a three-year human health biomonitoring in Ogoniland.
He noted that work on several fronts of the cleanup project is progressing steadily, adding that as key project partners, the insights and shared experience of the regulators and asset owners have always enriched HYPREP’s operations.
He said the policy thrust of HYPREP for 2025 is clear, as the Project is intensifying efforts to complete within stated timelines, the various ongoing projects, including remediation works and mangrove restoration, potable water facilities, the Centre of Excellence for Environmental Restoration, the Ogoni Power Project, Ogoni Specialist Hospital, and Buan Cottage Hospital, among others.
Zabbey, however, announced that HYPREP would commence new set of shoreline cleanup, mangrove restoration and livelihood projects, to sustain the momentum of implementing the Ogoni cleanup, adding that the agency would also conduct detailed site characterisation of the high-risk complex sites, leading to remediation works at the sites.
He noted that HYPREP’s collaboration with Rivers State Ministries of Health, Power and Environment, and civil society organisations remains vital, stressing that the technical and administrative support of all relevant government agencies and funding partners is indispensable in helping HYPREP overcome operational bottlenecks, especially those encountered in interfacing with host communities.
He further indicated that “the people of Ogoni and the nation are looking to us with hope and expectation, and expect tangible results from the remediation initiative”, assuring the participants that the Project Coordination Office is committed to delivering positive results.
“We must, therefore, continue to work with diligence, transparency, and a renewed sense of purpose”, he declared, saying, “ the completion and commissioning of projects this year must reflect not only our technical ability but also our collective commitment to environmental sustainability and sustainable development in Ogoni.”
During the interactive session, the Project Coordinator briefed the participants on the progress made so far by HYPREP to conclude the distribution of starter packs to the 5,000 Ogoni trainees, and called on contractors who had already collected huge chunk of money for the project, to deliver without further delay.
In all, the regulators, asset owners and stakeholders commended HYPREP for the good works it is doing, and urged it to do more.
The National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency(NOSDRA) was represented at the event by Deputy Director, Oil Field Assessment, Dr Abam Komommo Omini, while Dr Vincent Nwachukwu, Director of Medical Services, represented the Rivers State Ministry of Health.
The Rivers State Ministries of Water Resources, Power and Environment were represented by Dr Bealo Brownson; Engr K. J. Osele; and Mr James Ordu respectively, while the Society for Women and Youth Affairs (SWAYA); and the Stakeholder Democracy Network(SDN); among other civil society organisations were also at the event.
By: Donatus Ebi