Education

NDU Matriculates First Set Of Students In Marine Survey

Published

5 years ago

March 8, 2021

The Niger Delta University, Bayelsa State last Saturday held its maiden matriculation for 68 students into the Post-Graduate Diploma programme in Marine Survey.
The virtual ceremony was held both at the Main Campus, University Auditorium, and the Nigerian Institute of Oceanography and Marine Research, Victoria Island in Lagos.
It was sponsored by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), in collaboration with the Centre for Marine Surveyors, Nigeria, and Wider Perspective Limited.
The NCDMB Executive Secretary, Mr Simbi Wabote, while congratulating the students, said they were the first set to be admitted into the programme sponsored by NCDMB.
Wabote said: “This ceremony marks the official entry of students into this institution of learning.
“It is a statutory gathering to formally admit deserving and qualified candidates who are fortunate to be offered admission into this noble institution.”
He said that there was need to improve efficiency in maritime operations in Nigeria for global competitiveness.
“Improved predictability and transparency in maritime operations will go a long way in boosting confidence in the sector, which in turn will bring about increased revenue.
“Marine surveyors are greatly relied upon by the marine community to perform a wide range of tasks.
“These include advising purchasers, underwriters and lending institutions on the condition and valuation of vessels,” Wabote said.
He advised vessel owners on the need to recover or salvage a vessel in distress.
Also, Mr Adebambo Ademiluyi, President, Centre for Marine Surveyors, Nigeria, said marine surveyors played a prominent role in the industry adding that they provided integrity to the process of marine activities.
Ademiluyi, however, said there were no enough marine surveyors in the country, hence, the maiden ceremony to train more surveyors.
“There are lots of people who call themselves marine surveyors, but they have nothing to show for it in terms of certification.
“But, those with certification are the ones that have the integrity the customers can count on that they have gone through proper training.
“That is why we have set up this programme to train marine surveyors to serve Nigerians,” he said.
In her remarks, the Managing Director, Wider Perspective Ltd., MrsEdughom Hansen, said the objective of the programme was to develop in-country capacity of young graduates through training and certification to support the maritime industry.
Hansen, therefore, urged the students to make use of the opportunity afforded them, and ensure they attended classes, shun all forms of deviant behaviours and other vices, and be focussed.
“We hope that your experiences during your study will launch you to greater achievements as you commit yourself to learning.
“It is our desire to see a better you at the end of this programme.
“You must at all times show respect to your colleagues and staff of the university and other stakeholders; this will make your stay fruitful and productive,” she said.

Education

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

Published

1 week 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

1 week 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

1 week 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