Education

Varsity Teacher Wants Restructuring Of Power Sector

Published

8 years ago

February 19, 2018

A Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, Prof Howells Idaerefagha Hart has called for a total restructuring of the nation’s power sector for better improved services.
Hart made the call while delivering his inaugural lecture titled: “Sustainable Electricity Generation in Nigeria: Of Enthalpy, Entropy, Energy and all that, No Politics” during the 53rd inaugural lecture of the institution held at the Law Faculty Auditorium last Wednesday.
He said that the call became very imperative due to the quest to have a break-through in the power sector, adding that wrong government policies were introduced into the system without critical considerations on the workabilities of such policies on the sector.
According to him, what the Federal Government needs to do now is bringing together all the various actors and players to a round table discussion on the way forward and how the country’ s power system can function effectively.
“We need to sit down together to restructure the system, pick those who are knowledgably in the system to discuss in a roundtable so that we can achieve the desired breakthrough in the sector,” he stated.
The Professor of Mechanical Engineering identified wrong political decision in the appointment of those entrusted with responsibilities in the power sector as major setbacks in the system, adding that professionals should be appointed to hold the positions in the sector including the Minister of Power.
Hart opined that the problem of reliability promoted high costs in the sector occasioned by instability and added that the structure of the nation’s power system should be redesigned in order to meet the needs of the citizens.
He further disclosed that none-siting of the generating stations close to where gas plants are stationed was also responsible for abysmal downward performance in the sector, adding that the cost to maintain adequate surveillance to the gas pipelines that service the generating stations is very high.
“We need to study our environment, climate and design these turbines the way temperate will work with our climates. Don’t forget that these gas turbines were designed in temperate regions, so we need to modernise them to our own climate. Because of political reasons, these generating stations are built in an area far from where these gas plants are. It takes huge resources to keep surveillance in these gas pipelines and when there is attack, it causes great damage to the system”, he said.
The former Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of the university anchored his lecture on the Concept of Energy, Manifestation of Energy, Economics of Energy Resources, Fossil Fuels, Hydro Power, Solar Energy, Biomass, Wind and Energy Conversions.
Earlier in his speech, the Vice Chancellor of RSU, Prof Blessing Didia lauded the lecturer for his brilliant and professional presentation and added that he had justified his professional calling.
He described him as a hard working lecturer who has done the institution proud through the presentation.

Education

UNIPort Senate Grants Two-Year Amnesty to U2010–U2018 Students

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The Senate of the University of Port Harcourt Rivers state has approved a special two-year amnesty for students admitted between the 2010/2011 and 2018/2019 academic sessions who were unable to complete their programmes within the stipulated period.

This was contained in a statement by the university public relations officer,Dr Sammy Kpenu and made available to the tide over the weekend in port Harcourt.

The statement stated that eligible students are expected to submit formal applications addressed to the Vice Chancellor through their respective Heads of Department for review and necessary consideration.

The statement further stated that the approval provides a renewed opportunity for affected students to return, regularize their academic status, and successfully complete their studies.

According to the statement the amnesty also offers a fresh opportunity to students who had issues related to overstaying or other challenges that forced them to discontinue their programmes, to return and complete their academic pursuits.

The statement however said that the deadline for submission of applications end on 31st May, 2026 and therefore urge the affected students to take full advantage of the window the amnesty provided to realise their academic dreams.

Education

Education Commissioner Seeks media collaboration in Rivers

Published

2 days ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

The River State Commissioner for Education, Dr Peters Nwagor has called on media practitioners in Rivers State to deploy their various communication platforms toward promoting government programmes and policies aimed at achieving sustainable development in the education sector. Dr. Nwagor made the appeal when members of the Etche Ethnic Practicing Journalists (EEPJ) paid him a courtesy visit in Office in Port Harcourt. The Commissioner emphasized the strategic role of the media in shaping public perception, promoting government initiatives, and supporting policies capable of improving the quality of education and human capital development in the state. According to him, constructive media engagement remains essential in creating public awareness on educational reforms, students’ welfare, infrastructural improvements, and other interventions being implemented by the state government. Speaking on the recent appro

Education

“FPOG Bonny Deepens Learning With Hands-On Expedition to NLNG Nature Park”

Published

3 weeks ago

April 27, 2026

The Tide

Academic expeditions and excursions take learning beyond the classroom, fostering personal growth, cultural understanding, and hands-on engagement with history, science, and nature. For the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, such outings are a strategic tool for bridging theory with practice.

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, the Department of Science Laboratory Technology led students on an academic excursion to the NLNG Nature Park in Bonny. The team was led by the Head of Unit, Elizabeth Jumbo, alongside Ikor Peter, Usman Thaha, and Elekwachi Progress. The trip was designed to connect classroom instruction with real-life experiences.

According to the department, the excursion sought to deepen learning by linking theoretical knowledge with tangible, real-world exposure. The exercise also aimed to enhance student engagement and retention while promoting social-emotional skills such as collaboration and empathy. It further catered to diverse learning styles among the students.

Academic excursions offer clear benefits. Abstract concepts become concrete when students encounter them firsthand. A history lesson comes alive in a museum, while scientific principles are better understood in natural settings. Such interactive experiences are often more memorable than text-based learning alone.

The outings also build critical soft skills. Trips foster self-confidence, teamwork, communication, and resilience. They broaden cultural awareness and perspective by exposing students to new environments and ideas. For many, the experience sparks curiosity, promotes empathy, and can even influence future career paths.

At its core, the goal is to make learning personal, relevant, and interactive. The Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny says it is committed to providing a compass to academic excellence through active learning, consistent organization, and holistic student well-being. The SLT excursion reflects that approach in action.