Education
Don Hails RSG Over Scholarship Award
Professor of Energy and Comparative Environmental Law at the Rivers State University , Port Harcourt, Prof Samuel Chisa Dike, has expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Government for sponsoring his Doctorate Degree Programme in the United Kingdom, through scholarship, which has propelled him to achieve his dream of becoming a Professor.
Dike, who gave the indication yesterday during a thanksgiving programmes to celebrate his recent appointment as a Professor by the Rivers State University and the survival of his wife, Vera from breast cancer at the Chapel of Redemption in Port Harcourt, said without the kind gesture of the state government, he would not have been a Professor today.
He, however, attributed whatever he is today to God, saying, “if not for God, we would have not gathered here today to rejoice”.
Dike, who spoke during the reception ceremony of the thanksgiving programme, paid glowing tributes to all those who supported him in one way or the other to get to the heights he has attained in life, and expressed his warmest gratitude to them.
The Head of the Department of Public Law in the Faculty of Law also explained the role he played in the carving out of Emohua Local Government Area from Ikwerre Local Government Area when he was the first Leader of the Legislative Assembly in the council area, contending that he endorsed in good faith the document for the creation of Emohua Local Government Area even when several councilors then were opposed to it.
Dike said the significance of the crowd that graced the occasion was the diversity of the personalities who cut across the academia, politics, business and other professions, stressing that it was an indication that he had extended his goodwill to all manner of people in the society.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Dr O.C. Elem said Prof. Dike was not new to those gathered, describing him as very hard working and focused, recalling that when the university teacher was shot in 2006, he never knew he was going to survive the attack.
According to him, human achievements are not measured by the magnificent edifice one has built.
Describing Dike’s wife as humble, Elem thanked God for all the duo have passed through and all they have survived.
In a semon during the thanksgiving service, the Archbishop of Niger Delta Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Diocese of Ikwerre, Most Rev (Dr) Blessing Enyindah said it was through God’s mercy and faithfulness that Prof Dike has been able to attain great heights in life coupled with the survival of the wife from cancer, and enjoined the university teacher to be more committed to the service of God both in Port Harcourt and in Ubima Community where he hails from.
The cleric also stressed the need for man to be always grateful to God.
The event attracted personalities from all walks of life including the former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and former Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Okey Wali (SAN); former Acting Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Opuenebo Binya Owei; former governorship candidate of Labour Party in the state, Chief Isaac Wonwor; among others.
By: Donatus Ebi
A professor of Highway Engineering at the Rivers State University (RSU), Prof. Emmanuel Osilemme Ekwulo, has identified poor designs, inadequate materials, insufficient testing, and lack of accountability as major obstacles to the success of highway construction projects in the country.
Ekwulo made this remark in Port Harcourt last Wednesday during the 128th inaugural lecture series of the university, where he presented a lecture titled “Removing Roadblocks: Rebuilding a Foundation for Reliable Highway Pavement Infrastructure.”
The university don lamented the consistent premature failures of road construction projects nationwide, despite huge investments by the government at all levels, attributing the problem to neglected basics and systemic principles in the industry.
According to him, rebuilding the foundation technically, institutionally, and ethically is crucial to building strong and lasting pavements.
Ekwulo emphasized the need for political will, professional integrity, and commitment to engineering excellence to overcome the challenges.
“The metaphoric roadblocks are those challenges causing premature failures,” Ekwulo said, adding that identifying and addressing these roadblocks is key to rebuilding the nation’s highways.
He recommended that institutions involved in road design and construction adopt a mechanistic-empirical design approach, and develop a comprehensive framework for implementing the Nigerian Imperial and Mechanistic Pavement Design System (NEMPADS) approach.
Ekwulo also advocated for mandatory traffic load analysis, strengthened university-industry collaboration, and funding for applied pavement research.
Corruption, he noted, is a major challenge in the profession, saying severe punitive measures are needed to curb shabby practices leading to premature road failures.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Isaac Zeb-Obipi, described Ekwulo’s lecture as interesting and intriguing, highlighting the importance of implementing solutions to Nigeria’s highway challenges.
The Vice Chancellor also described Ekwulo’s proposals as practical and applicable to government and industry stakeholders.
He said the university is committed to research aligned with national development goals, referencing its NDV-12 responsive consortium production framework.
Zeb-Obipi noted that Ekwulo’s recommendations are timely and solution-driven, and will contribute to addressing Nigeria’s highway challenges.
Akujobi Amadi
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