UNIPORT Holds Founders’ Day Lecture, As FG Moves To Build Three Sea Ports

The University of Port Harcourt, Choba, Rivers State, has held its Founders’ Day lecture, with the theme, “The Role of Transportation in Nation Building”, as part of its efforts to contribute to the development of the nation.
The lecture, which was held at the Ebitimi Banigo Hall of the university, last Monday, was designed by the authorities of the institution to engage members of the public towards the development of national policies as well as celebrate alumni of the institution for their contributions to the growth of the university
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Stephen Okodudu, disclosed that at 46, the institution has come of age, adding that the choice of the speaker was to showcase to the world the depth of intellectual resources deposited in the institution.
Okodudu said the lecture would deepen the academic culture and tradition of the university, noting that it would serve as inspiration to students of the university that the institution was a marketable place and launch-pad for higher responsibilities.
He appealed to the Federal Ministry of Transportation to adopt the institution’s Centre for Transportation and Logistics as a training centre for the ministry.
Also speaking, the Chairman of the occasion and 2nd Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof S.J.S. Cookey, said it was the policy of the university to engage members of the public to contribute towards strategic national policy to boost development.
According to him, it’s the opinion of the university community that the Ivory Tower concept of the university was antiquated, saying that the university must engage the public to assist in policies that would help grow the society.
He decried the moribund condition of Bonny seaport, and enjoined the relevant authorities to pay serious attention by revitalizing the nation’s seaports to grow the nation’s economy.