Education

UNIPORT SSANU Re-Elects Chairman

Published

10 years ago

October 10, 2016

Chairman of the University
of Port Harcourt branch of the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Mr Bikume Syder, has been re-elected to serve another four years term in the organisation.
Announcing the result of the election into various offices monitored by our correspondent, Chairman of the Electoral Committee, Dr Mike Ngeh, disclosed that out of the 669 senior staff accredited for the exercise, Mr Syder polled a total of 311 votes to emerge winner over his contender, Mr Ovunda Marcus who polled 227 votes.
Incumbent Vice-Chairman, Mr Bernard Chukwu, polled 359 votes to also return to office, Mrs Otami Akubom won the position of Secretary-General with 233 votes.
Mr John Nwajiobi emerged as new treasurer of the union with 313 votes, while Franklyn Isaiah was elected financial secretary with a total of 365 votes.
Also, Mr Peter Edoziem obtained 223 vote to secure the position of Public Relations Officer. While Mrs Elizabeth Amadi emerged as Assistant Secertary with a total of 395 votes. For the position of Women Leader, Mrs Elizabeth Akani got the slot with 244 votes. Mr Peter Ezi polled 418 votes to secure the position of Ex-Officio member. However Francis Nwigonee was elected Trustee of the branch with a total of 234 votes.
SSANU’s National Vice-President (East), Dr Leku Ador, who led other national and zonal officers of the association to observe the election, inaugurated the new executive council, charging those elected to discharge their duties in line with the extant rules governing the association.
“I charge you to see your victory as an opportunity to serve, rather than seeing it as an avenue to lord it over the rank and file of SSANU members in this branch. You must listen to those you are leading and ensure that you democratize all decision-making processes to carry everybody along in the scheme of things’, the National Vice-President admonished them.
In his acceptance speech, Mr. Syder reiterated his commitment to the welfare of SSANU members in the university. “I want to thank all members of SSANU of giving us their mandate to run the association for the next four years, including those who did not vote for us.
Let me on behalf of the new executive council restate our readiness to serve you by promoting our collective welfare,” the re-elected chairman said.
Presenting the account of his stewardship in the first four yeas which commenced in 2012, Mr Syder listed refurbishing of the SSANU Secretariat at Delta Park, procurement of a fifteen-seater Toyota Hiace Bus, settlement of debt owed the UniPort Branch of Non-Academic Staff Union (NASU), introduction of a Savings and Loans Scheme and upward review of welfare benefits due members, as some of his achievements in office.
“It is my hope that the focus of the union in this branch would be geared towards continued robust representation of members’ interest through constructive engagement with management, the building of a befitting permanent secretariat complex, staff conversation as first option of recruitment, consolidation of the SSANU-UniPort Welfare and Savings Scheme, loan facilities for members at 10% simple interest rate repayable over two years, quarterly presentation of accounts as enshrined in the recently amended SSANU constitution and sustenance of the union’s end-of-year get-together and christmas package, among other incentives,” Mr. Syder said.

Sogbeba Dokubo

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