Education

RSG Pledges Financial Support For RSU …To Revisit Staff Employment

Published

9 years ago

April 3, 2017

The Rivers State Government has pledged to support the state-owned University towards the attainment of its goal and autonomy.

The State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, made the pledge at the weekend as visitor to the Rivers State University (RSU) during the 29th Convocation Ceremony of the Institution.

Governor Wike, who had earlier expressed dissatisfaction over some aspects of projects carried out in the institution and cleanliness status of the surroundings, however assured that the government will support the university to the best of its ability.

“We shall continue to support the university to the best of our financial ability to advance its autonomy as well as enable it meet its critical obligations to the students, workers and all the people they serve”, he said.

The Governor, who was very critical about the level of development considering what had been released to the university, expressed delight that the faculty of medical sciences had taken off with the admission of remedial students.

He was, however, furious with the fact after his last visit to the school a year ago, the building for the medical school was still at the decking stage.

“I cannot accept it. One year after I came here, they are still talking about decking of the first floor. If it will take one year to do decking, how will they finish this in December, 2017”, he stressed.

Consequently, “I have invited the contractor to see me in my office.

…If it requires us to change the contractor, be assured that I’m going to make sure that I will do it and provide funds for the completion of the faculty of medical services with immediate effects”, the Governor assured.

On the Under-Staffing of the University, Governor Wike also stated that it will be looked into and necessary steps taken to address the issue.

On the issue of Staff shortfall, I have directed the Commissioner of Education, Prof Kaniye Ebeku to meet with the management of the university to jointly evaluate the situation and bring accordingly on areas of critical needs for us to take necessary action in that direction”, he said.

To the graduands, the Governor urged them to view their graduation as a new beginning that will come with its own challenges.

“It is heart-warming to know that the education you have acquired has a strong foundation for you to advance your future programmes.

Governor Wike also used the opportunity to announce that from henceforth, the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST) will now be named Rivers State University (RSU), in accordance with the amendment of the law that created the Institution.

Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Blessing Didia, had among other things, urged the government to allow the institution to employ, or refill vacuums created by retirement and death of staff.

“The Committee of Provosts and Deans has in a recent report, recommended that the university should embarks the government to let the institution to either employ, or refill vacuums created by retirement and death of staff.

“The Committee of Provosts and Deans has in a recent report, recommended that the university should embarks on massive recruitment exercise for all categories of academic staff in order not to risk denial of accreditation status by NUC.

Permit me, your Excellency and visitor to the university, to join my colleagues to appeal to you to consider the report and grant us the privilege to employ, even if to replace staff who retired or died in the past one year”, he said.

Sobeba Dokubo

Education

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

Published

3 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

3 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

3 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