Education

VC Lists Funding As Major Constraint Of RSUST

Published

10 years ago

January 18, 2016

Acting Vice Chancellor
of the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Professor Blessing C. Didia has categorised challenges faced by the institution into six key areas, among which is funding.
He made the categorisation recently in an address he presented during the maiden familiarisation visit of the state commissioner for Education, Professor Kaniye Ebeku to the university.
Professor Didia stated that while funding is critical to the achievement of a world class university, the state-owned university “does not receive subvention from government for capital projects”, and budgetary allocation are also not released.
“The TET fund and similar intervention funds when released are tied to specific projects. The university only relies on Internally Generated Revenue for its municipal services and running costs.
“This is grossly inadequate to sustain the university and make it to discharge its numerous responsibilities”, he said.
Other areas of constraints, Professor Didia continued, are what he captioned Accreditation, Litigation against the university, Nimi Briggs hospital abandoned faculties of Environmental and management Science building project, as well as the College of Medicine.
In accreditation, the Acting Vice Chancellor revealed that the Nigeria University Commission (NUC) recently concluded accreditation of twelve programmes of the university which have been due since 2014.
According to him, accreditation fee in addition to other expenditure and personnel requirements have also been met. For this purpose the governor had approved the sum of N150 million out of a bill of over N600 million.
He noted that the university has eleven litigations involving the university, but that efforts are being made to settle some of it out of court.
Professor Didia further informed the commissioner that while the school has taken over ownership of the Nimi Briggs Hospital in the campus from the contractor, “the facilities need adequate maintenance for sustainability.
On abandoned facility projects in Environmental and Management Sciences, he urged the commissioner to revisit the projects “with a view to commencing and completing the faculty buildings “, which he said are prerequisites for their accreditation.
Meanwhile, Professor Didia, noted that while the university is ready to admit students into the medical school by the 2016/2017 academic session, there is the need for the commissioner to “Consider to classify the College of Medicine as a special project and assist with commensurate funds for its take-off”.
Responding, the Commissioner for Education assured the Acting Vice Chancellor of the state governor’s interest and determination to improve the educational standard of the institution and other state-government owned educational institutions.
“I can tell you categorically that RSUST is an institution after the heart of His Excellency, Governor Nyesom Wike … moreover, His Excellency is strongly committed to ensuring the establishment and commencement of a college of medicine in the university”.

SogbebaDokubo

Vice Chancellor, Federal University of Dutsin-Ma, Katsina State, Prof James Oyatse (right), with Chairman, Rivers State Council of Traditional Rulers, King Dandeson Douglas Jaja (middle) and Prof. S. J.S. Cookey, during the Vice Chancellor’s visit to the monarch in Port Harcourt recently.

Education

Uniport Appoints Prof. Princewill R. Chike as 10th Vice-Chancellor

Published

5 days 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

5 days 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

5 days 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