Education

91 Contractors Jostle For UBE Jobs In Rivers

Published

7 years ago

September 16, 2019

A total of ninety one contractors have participated in the opening of bidding for jobs at the Rivers State Universal Basic Board, RSUBEB,Port Harcourt over the weekend.
The various jobs bidded for by the contractors were listed in the 2018 FGN/UBE intervention funds for the state.
Speaking at the opening of the bidding ceremony held at the board’s corporate headquarters the state chairman of RSUBEB, Rev Fyneface Aker said that the bidding process was a pre requisite condition in the procurement law, adding that occasion was to comply with the law.
Rev Aker said the law provides that the bidding be made open to select qualified contractors who will execute government jobs, noting that the presence of the contractors at the ceremony had lightened up the process and affirmed the board’s transparent stance.
He promised a fair and transparent bidding process to select qualified contractors who would deliver on the various jobs specifications ,adding that the board would not tolerate any incidence of sub standard execution or abandonment of projects.
“We will not tolerate unprofessionalism and abandonment of contracts by the contractors; we will not hesitate to sanction any erring contractors.”
The state UBE helmsman pleaded with contractors who may not be successful at the end of the bidding exercise to be patient with the board and try next time, adding that the number of contractors were more than the number of jobs available.
Aker used the opportunity to appeal to benefiting communities across the state to see the projects as government gifts to them and cooperate with the contractors to enable them deliver on the stipulated time frame and warned the communities on frivolous demands from the contractors which he said, may hamper the execution of the projects.
“We don’t have provision for marching grounds for any community .They should see the contracts as state government gifts to them and protect the jobs” he stated.
Also speaking, a representative from the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) Abuja, Mr Monday Sunday commended RSUBEB for complying with the procurement law as directed by the commission ,adding that the commission was satisfied with the entire processes adopted in the opening of bidding.
“Rivers state people are wonderful .What we are seeing here today is excellent even without supervision from the commission; it is an indications that they will go far. Procurement is one area most states have not complied with but Rivers has cued in” he stated.
Giving the break down, the RSUBEB director in charge of research ,planning and statistics Evang Emma Ogbugo said a total of 123 contractors registered with the board for the jobs, 95 bought the bid application forms, while 91 returned their bids application forms, adding that the jobs sought for cut across supply, renovations and reconstruction of schools in the state.
Some contractors who spoke to newsmen at the event, Mrs Lauretta Abu and Mr Emmanuel Chioma expressed satisfaction with the process and described the process as transparent and fair.

Education

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

Published

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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

2 weeks 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