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Dusty End For Dusty Deeds

Published

6 years ago

November 4, 2019

There was a press release from Rivers State University, published in The Tide newspaper of Monday, October 14, 2019, (page11). It had to do with the dismissal of a Professor in the Department of Banking and Finance. There was also a statement that “The Council also directed Senate to Withdraw the degree certificates” of two part-time undergraduate students who had graduated from the dismissed Professor’s department. There was a mention of “wrongful graduation”.
It has become necessary to send in this write-up because, as pioneer academic staff of that institution from its inception as a university, one is a knowing-insider. Better as it may be, there is a need to point out some issues, though in a sketching manner, which would be in public interest. The dusty affairs that characterised the decline of that institution began when the Bursary Department got burnt by fire.
Someone thought it necessary to bring in an outsider to run the affairs of the university. Unfortunately the effects of the fire-brigade decision following the arson and the new cure-all medicine became more dangerous than the ailment diagnosed on the spot.
As an ex-police intelligence officer before becoming a lecturer, I approached a few highly experienced pioneer lecturers and made efforts to seek the intervention of the state House of Assembly.
It was not long before there arose a system of fascism in the administration of a university. There were series of local and national strikes by university lecturers, and there were a few patriotic and professional-minded lecturers who wanted to see that RSUST remained a model institution. Unfortunately, the virus of dirty politics infected that institution, tearing the rank of the academic staff apart. The division and animosity fostered by those who were more interested in becoming professors than ideal lecturers have remained hitherto.
There was a time that a branch chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was hunted and harassed like a criminal and then dismissed. His re-instatement after about three years was a great victory for justice. A situation where hypocrisy, boot-licking and holier-than-thou attitude become instruments for personnel elevation, things would fall apart. A situation where gossip-peddling becomes an instrument of management, there would be division and animosity among members of the workforce. Things get worse if those anomalies are encouraged.
In the old Rivers State University of Science and Technology, managing the division and animosity in that institution required fostering an “ integrity” group, with sanctioning as a trade-mark. A situation where an administrator would manager an establishment via a divide-and-rule strategy, the success of that step would be short-lived.
Even though some mercenary staff would benefit from a fascist system of management through such strategy would decline eventually. Therefore, it has become necessary to mention those facts because a vital management malpractice bedevilling this country is the use of paid agents, usually insiders, to enthrone an undemocratic regime. This management style accounts for the decline in public bureaucracy.
When, in 2012, an “Appeal for sanity in RSUST, by Retired Pioneers Academic Staff of the University” was meant to be taken to Rivers State House of Assembly, the move was seen as an affront by those who know better how to run a university. There had also been a suggestion for instituting a public commission of inquiry into the affairs and management style of the university. The change of name of the institution to Rivers State University has not changed much.
Rather, what is obvious is that it becomes difficult to root out and eradicate a virus once it has been allowed to poison the blood stream. Efforts made in the past by patriotic individuals and humble groups to re-position the university did not yield much result. This is largely because all such patriotic staff are now retired from the institution.
Whatever dusty deeds that resulted in the Bursary Unit of the university being gutted by fire, there was also another issue which was suggested for adoption as far back as 1983. When house rent began to go up in Port Harcourt, from N24,000 for a three-bedroom flat, to N420,000, there was a suggestion to give housing loan rather than rent flats for senior staff.
There were several other cost-saving suggestions, to ensure prudence and foster productivity. Someone specifically said in a Senate meeting that “ those of you who studied abroad should know that we are in Nigeria”. Although that statement was meant to be a joke, it was revealing. “We are in Nigeria” was interpreted to mean that “ you must hustle to get what you want, for nobody would give you anything just for the asking”.
The work of a PHD student threw more light into what it takes to survive in the Nigerian political economy, there was an emphasis that productivity is not a national value. Many Nigerians have questioned the country’s reward system. With regards to the professional misconducts of “ sorting and extortion of money”, including sex for marks, these issues have more deep-rooted origins and explanations which a public, sincere inquiry would help to bring to light.
One would ask: is sorting worse than promotion for loyalty to a tyrannical leader? Where merit and productivity do not count, then, what do you find?

Bright Amirize

Featured

Tinubu Hails NGX N100trn Milestones, Urges Nigerians To Invest Locally

Published

6 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

President Bola Tinubu yesterday celebrated the Nigerian Exchange Group’s breakthrough into the N100tn market capitalisation threshold, saying Nigeria has moved from an ignored frontier market to a compelling investment destination.

Tinubu, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, urged Nigerians to increase their investments in the domestic economy, expressing confidence that 2026 would deliver stronger returns as ongoing reforms take firmer root.

He noted that the NGX closed 2025 with a 51.19 per cent return, outperforming global indices such as the S&P 500 and FTSE 100, as well as several BRICS+ emerging markets, after recording 37.65 per cent in 2024.

“With the Nigerian Exchange crossing the historic N100tn market capitalisation mark, the country is witnessing the birth of a new economic reality and rejuvenation,” Tinubu said.

He attributed the stellar performance to Nigerian companies proving they can deliver strong investment returns across all sectors, from blue-chip industrials localising supply chains to banks demonstrating technological innovation.

The President added, “Year-to-date returns have significantly outpaced the S&P 500, the FTSE 100, and even many of our emerging-market peers in the BRICS+ group. Nigeria is no longer a frontier market to be ignored—it is now a compelling destination where value is being discovered.”

Tinubu disclosed that more indigenous energy firms, technology companies, telecoms operators and infrastructure firms are preparing to list on the exchange, a move he said would deepen market capitalisation and broaden economic participation.

He also cited what he described as a sustained decline in inflation over eight months—from 34.8 per cent in December 2024 to 14.45 per cent in November 2025—projecting that the rate would fall below 10 per cent before the end of 2026.

“Indeed, inflation is likely to fall below 10 per cent before the end of this year, leading to improved living standards and accelerated GDP growth. The year 2026 promises to be an epochal year for delivering prosperity to all Nigerians,” he said.

The President attributed the trend to monetary tightening, elimination of Ways and Means financing, and agricultural investments, which he said helped stabilise the naira and ease post-reform pressures.

Nigeria’s current account surplus reached $16bn in 2024, with the Central Bank projecting $18.81bn in 2026, reflecting a trade pattern shift toward exporting more and importing less locally-producible goods.

Non-oil exports jumped 48 per cent to N9.2tn by the third quarter of 2025, with African exports nearly doubling to N4.9tn. Manufacturing exports grew 67 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter.

Foreign reserves have crossed $45bn and are expected to breach $50 billion in the first quarter, giving the CBN ammunition to maintain currency stability and end the volatility that previously fuelled speculation, according to the President.

Tinubu also highlighted infrastructure expansion in rail networks, arterial roads, port revitalisation, and the Lagos-Calabar and Sokoto-Badagry superhighways, alongside improvements in healthcare facilities that are reducing medical tourism costs, and increased university research grants funded through the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

“Our medicare facilities are improving, and medical tourism costs are declining. Our students benefit from the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, and universities are receiving increased research grants,” he said.

He described nation-building as a process requiring hard work, sacrifices, and citizen focus, pledging to continue working to build an egalitarian, transparent, and high-growth economy catalysed by historic tax and fiscal reforms that came into full implementation from January 1.

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RSG Kicks Off Armed Forces Remembrance Day ‘Morrow …Restates Commitment Towards Veterans’ Welfare

Published

6 days ago

January 9, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Government has reiterated its commitment towards the welfare of veterans, serving officers and widows of fallen officers in the State.

?The Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr. Benibo Anabraba, in a statement by ?Head, Information and Public Relations Unit, SSG’s ?Office, ?Juliana Masi, stated this during the Central Planning meeting of the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Port Harcourt, yesterday.

?Anabraba thanked the Committee for their contributions to the success of the Emblem Appeal Fund Ceremony recently held in the State and called on them to double their efforts so that the State can record resounding success in the remaining activities.

?According to him, the remembrance day events will begin with Jumaàt Prayers on Friday, 9th January at the Rivers State Central Mosque, Port Harcourt Township, while a Humanitarian Outreach/Family and Community Day will be hosted on Saturday, 10th January, by the wife of the governor, Lady Valerie Siminalayi Fubara, for widows and veterans.

?”On Sunday, 11th January, an Interdenominational Church Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Cyprian Anglican Church, Port Harcourt Township while the Grand-finale Wreath- Laying Ceremony will hold on Thursday, 15th January at the Isaac Boro Park Cenotaph, Port Harcourt”, he said.

?The SSG noted that one of the highlights of the events is the laying of wreaths by Governor Siminalayi Fubara and Heads of the Security Agencies.

Featured

Fubara Redeploys Green As Commissioner For Justice

Published

2 weeks ago

December 30, 2025

The Tide

The Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has approved a minor cabinet reshuffle in the State Executive Council.

Under the new disposition, Barrister Christopher Green, who until now served as Commissioner for Sports, has been redeployed to the Ministry of Justice as the Honourable Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice.

This is contained in an official statement signed by Dr. Honour Sirawoo, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information and Communications.

According to the statement, Barrister Green will also continue to coordinate the activities of the Ministry of Sports pending the appointment of a substantive Commissioner to oversee the ministry.

The redeployment, which takes immediate effect, was approved at the last State Executive Council meeting for the year 2025, underscoring the Governor’s commitment to strengthening governance, ensuring continuity in service delivery, and optimising the performance of key ministries within the state.