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Wike Charges UNIPORT On Transforming Engineering Lab Project

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10 years ago

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Rivers State Governor,
Chief Nyesom Wike has charged the Governing Council of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), to make uptimum use of its newly commissioned Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas (NLNG) Centre for Gas, refining and petrochemicals (CGRP), building.
Giving the charge at the commissioning of the Centre recently, Governor Wike urged the council to ensure that it transforms the centre into a world acclaimed energy research centre.
“The Governing Council of the University has a great responsibility to meet the expectations of the government and people of Rivers State and Nigeria at large.
The council must transform this centre to a centre of Excellence recognized world wide as the epicenter of modern energy research,” he said.
The Governor, who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Ipalibo Harry- Banigo, enlogised the university for its commitment to quality teaching and research in oil and gas which has stood  out in engineering education in the South-South.
This, he noted, was what earned the university the grant from NLNG used for the establishment of the (CGRP).
While expressing optimism that the Centre would transform research in gas, petroleum  refining and allied industrial products in the Gulf of  Guinea, the Governor also stated its implications to the university, state and country at large.
“This centre goes to consolidate our position in the country as the custodian of knowledge and technology in the oil and gas sector. The implications of this are far-reaching.
“First, University of Port Harcourt will go into history as the only university that has a modular refinery in the country,” the Governor said.
He also stated the possibility of experts in the hydrocarbon industry availing themselves of the cutting –edge facility and equipment in the centre to embark on research that would proffer solutions to the growing local demand for energy to power industrialization, transportation and electricity supply in the country.
In his remarks at the occasion, minister of science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu, Commended the NLNG Limited for its university support programme initiative aimed at advancing engineering education in Nigeria.
The minister, who was represented by Professor Jidere Bala, expressed gratitude to NLNG for contributing to the development of science and technology in the country.
“As the minister of Science and Technology of the federal Republic of Nigeria, I feel a sense of fulfillment that a support of this nature to Science, Technology and innovation (STI) is being provided by a corporate organization like NlNG Ltd at this point in time.
“On behalf of the Government and People of Nigeria, I thank the NLNG for supporting the development of STI through building and equipment of Engineering laboratories across the country at a cost of  $ 12 million,” he said.
Also speaking, Managing Director of NLNG, Babs Omotowa, said the company decided to partner the university in order to contribute to educational growth and overall development of the Country.
He noted that Counties such as Japan, India and Singapore turned their potentials into reality through knowledge provided by science and technology.
According to him, the Centre houses state –of-the art laboratory equipped with a modular refinery, is the first of its kind in any educational institution in sub-Saharan Africa.

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Education

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

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3 weeks ago

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June 8, 2026

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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
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Education commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct in Rivers ,, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

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3 weeks ago

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June 8, 2026

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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
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RSU Law Professor Calls for Periodic Review of Nigeria’s Criminal Laws

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3 weeks ago

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June 8, 2026

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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
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