Education

VC Lists Funding As Major Constraint Of RSUST

Published

11 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

NCDMB Opens Entry For 10th National Undergraduate Essay Competition

Published

4 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has announced commencement of entries for its Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition.

According to the board, entries for the 10th edition of the competition will open on August 15, inviting undergraduate students in 100 and 200 levels from Nigerian universities, polytechnics and colleges of education to showcase their ideas on strengthening local content development.

This year’s essay topic: “Promoting Manufacturing for Sustainable Local Content Development,” challenges students to examine how Nigeria can build stronger local manufacturing capacity to drive economic growth and reduce dependence on imports in the energy sector.

Beyond winning prizes, the board said the competition has become a platform for nurturing critical thinking, research and innovation among young Nigerians.

“It encourages students to look beyond the classroom and develop practical ideas that can support the country’s drive for industrialization and sustainable development”

According to a press statement signed by Eyinimi Omorozi, Managing Director and Project Consultant, the competition is designed to improve students’ research abilities while inspiring them to develop the skills and competencies needed to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s energy industry.

Interested students are expected to submit their entries through the competition portal at www.ncdmbessay.ng once the application window opens.

The competition will culminate in an award ceremony scheduled for October 22 at the NCDMB headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, where outstanding participants will be recognised for their intellectual contributions.

Over the years, the NCDMB Annual National Undergraduate Essay Competition has grown into one of Nigeria’s leading academic initiatives, encouraging young scholars to engage with national development issues and propose practical solutions that can strengthen local content and economic resilience.

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Education

UNIPORT VC Receives Probe Report on Student Union Crisis

Published

4 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Chike Princewill, has received the report of the committee set up to investigate the internal disagreement and violent clashes among members of the University’s Student Union Government (SUG).

The report was formally presented on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by the Chairman of the Committee and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration and Advancement), Professor Chukwudi Onyeaso, during a brief ceremony held at the Vice-Chancellor’s Committee Room, University Park.

While receiving the report, Professor Princewill commended the committee for its diligence, professionalism, and commitment to duty. He noted that members of the committee carried out the sensitive assignment with thoroughness, leaving no stone unturned in their investigation.

The Vice-Chancellor expressed appreciation for the committee’s dedication and assured the University community that Management would carefully study the report and implement its recommendations where necessary in the overall interest of the institution and the student body.

The investigative committee was inaugurated by the Vice-Chancellor on July 20, 2026, with a two-week mandate to examine the circumstances surrounding the Student Union leadership crisis and recommend practical measures to prevent a recurrence.

The submission of the report marks a significant step toward restoring stability, strengthening student leadership, and promoting lasting peace within the University of Port Harcourt community.

Akujobi Amadi

Education

Environmental Education Remains Critical Tool To Address Environmental Challenges Says Experts

Published

4 days ago

August 10, 2026

The Tide

Environmental experts have highlighted environmental education as critical tool in addressing environmental global challenges in the society, stressing that it help to equips citizens with the knowledge, attitudes and practical skills needed for Environmental protection.

Speaking at the Environmental Education Summit held in the University of Port Harcourt with the theme ” From Literacy to Action: Developing a Blueprint to strengthen Environmental Education for Achieving Environmental Sustainability in Nigeria”, Prof. Angela Ugwu, an environmental educationist and Head of Department, Faculty of Education in the Department of Adult and Non -Formal Education, University of Port Harcourt, noted poor environmental awareness among citizens and explained that Environmental Education remains a vital role in building citizens to effective response of environmental challenges.

While,urging that Environmental Education should not end in classroom, Prof Ugwu advised that Environmental knowledge acquired should be translate into action.

Also speaking, an environmental scientist, Prof Babatunde Bolaji, called for intensive community participation in Environmental conservation and the inclusion of environmental science in primary school curriculum.

Earlier, on his Part, Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Princewill Rewhuamwhu Chike represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof Chukwudi Onyeaso described the environment as very important to protect from climate change, urging the society to uphold healthy Environment.

Similarly, an environmental educationist, Prof Mbalisi Festus, a lecturer in the Department of Adult and Non-,Formal Education, University of Port Harcourt, while urging citizens to avoid activities that contribute in destroying the environment, he stressed that Environmental knowledge also offer citizens required knowledge on protecting the environment.