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NUC Ranks PUMS 19th Best Private Varsity …As Abubakar, Wike Bag Doctorate Degrees
The National Universities Commission (NUC) has rated PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt currently the 19th best private university in the country.
This is even as the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, have been conferred with honorary doctorate degrees by PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt.
The Executive Secretary of NUC, Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, who delivered the convocation lecture on the theme: “Higher Education: Private Universities and National Development” at the first convocation ceremony of the university, at Iriebe, near Port Harcourt, said private universities have continued to play a vital role in the national development of Nigeria.
According to Rasheed, PAMO is also the 35th best university out of 200 in the country.
He said the university, which has full accreditation from the commission, was also rated number one in female student enrolment index.
Rasheed, who spoke said the NUC was happy with the growth and development of PAMO University of Medical Sciences.
He said graduands would play active role in shaping the future of Nigeria.
The NUC executive secretary also described as false insinuations in some quarters that the proliferation of private universities has lowered the standard of education in the country, arguing that among top 10 universities in Nigeria, six were private universities.
Rasheed, who added that among 100 top universities in the country, 45 were private universities, commended the management of PUMS for their achievements within the last four years.
In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor of the university and Chairman, Governing Council, Dr. Peter Odili, described PUMS as God’s gift to humanity.
Speaking at the convocation ceremony, Odili also said the university has zero tolerance for all forms of vices.
According to him, “As a Governing Council, we have focused on the upholding of the vision, mission and core values and rules of the institution, by unapologetically insisting on total compliance to the rules and sanctions for any breaches by all staff and students. We believe that discipline is the key that will help make our graduates make the difference wherever they find themselves in the larger society”.
Odili, who was the former governor of Rivers State, described as unprecedented the support of Governor Nyesom Wike for Rivers students in the university, adding that Wike was the only governor in Nigeria who has given more support to medical students than any other.
He also charged the graduands to uphold the values which they have imbibed in the university, and apply them in their daily life outside the campus.
Also speaking, the Chancellor of the university and Chairman, Board of Trustees, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd.) said the university, which was only four years old, has recorded tremendous achievements.
He said that PUMS was a university that has from its very beginning been setting records and blazing the trail among private universities in the country.
“From the planning stage of its establishment, licensing, commencement of academic programmes, through to exceptional performance in accreditation and professional examinations, collaboration and synergy with the state government and host community, and now, to the graduation of her first set of students, there are lessons for all. The success of PUMS is a reflection of what can be achieved when a committed, purposeful and visionary leadership is in charge of a process”, he said.
Earlier in his convocation address, the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Michael Diejomaoh, said all courses in the Faculties of Basic Medical Sciences, and Allied Health Sciences have been fully accredited by the NUC with very high scores.
He said the institution also recently hosted a resource verification visit from Radiographer’s Registration Board of Nigeria; the regulatory bodies of Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, and Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria have accredited the university’s allied health sciences courses, while the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria has also accredited the Pre-Clinical Basic Medical Science courses.
He said the institution has seen rapid infrastructural development, adding that the next phase of development would include the establishment of the Faculties of Dentistry and Pharmacy, other courses as well as Post Graduate Studies in all academic areas.
Diejomaoh announced that the university graduated 21 students from the Department of Anatomy, Biochemistry, Pharmacology and Physiology.
A total of 21 students graduated from the ceremony with one First Class, seven with Second Class Upper Division, 11 in Second Class Lower Divisions, and three with Third Class Honours.
Meanwhile, the former Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar and Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike have been conferred with honorary doctorate degrees by PAMO University of Medical Sciences (PUMS), Port Harcourt.
Abubakar was conferred with Doctor of Letters (D.Litt.) Honoris Causa, while Wike bagged honorary degree of Doctor of Science (D.Sc.) Honoris Causa.
The awardees were, last Saturday, conferred with the honorary doctorate degrees during the first PUMS convocation ceremony in Port Harcourt, for their distinct contributions to the development, peace, democracy and general good of Nigeria.
While receiving the award, Abubakar commended Wike’s administration for offering scholarship to students of Rivers extraction studying in PAMO University.
According to him, the governor’s unrivalled contribution to the development of the university would forever be in the annals of her history.
The former Head of State noted that the success of PUMS was a demonstration of what can be achieved when state governments come in to support the provision of private education in their respective states.
He urged the Federal Government to extend similar support to private universities through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and other agencies of government through the various initiatives currently being enjoyed only by public institutions.
In his acceptance speech, Governor Nyesom Wike said the government and people of Rivers State were delighted with the establishment of PUMS, and the vast opportunities it has availed youths in the state to become highly educated and skillful medical professionals and practitioners.
He said the state government has university from its inception to date, by identifying with and contributing materially to its steady growth and progress.
“Back in 2017, we instituted a special public scholarship, covering tuition, accommodation and feeding to encourage our indigenous students to take advantage of the university and become graduates and professionals of the areas of interest.
“We have religiously implemented this scholarship programme for four consecutive years with almost 600 beneficiaries as at the last academic session.
“Today, I am very pleased to note that all the graduating students of Rivers State origin are scholars of the Rivers State Government educated and trained with public funds.
“In addition to the scholarship, which now costs well over N2.9billion to implement annually, we have also made several generous financial donations towards the infrastructural development of the university.”
He commended the former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili, for establishing the first and only private medical university in the entire South-South geo-political region of Nigeria.
The governor, who attributed his success in life to faith in God and education, said his political life, just like that of Odili, has been a lesson in devotion, hard work and passion for success and service.
He narrated how his predecessor and current Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, under whose administration he served as Chief of Staff, tried to truncate his political career.
“But midway into his first tenure, I got the signal early enough that I have become a foe, and pencilled down to be politically brought down, extinguished or terminated.”
Wike explained that although his predecessor had reluctantly included his name among those he nominated to former President Goodluck Jonathan to be appointed as minister, he was never his first or preferred choice.
“He, therefore, worked twice as hard behind the scene to truncate my confirmation by the Nigerian Senate but failed because God said otherwise.
“Moving further forward, and when he noticed my ambition to succeed him as the governor of Rivers State; he immediately drew the battle line, and vowed that I could only succeed him over his dead body.
“Our contest was as intense and jugular as typical political enemies. Ultimately, I won and prevailed over him; but he acted the coward by refusing to commit the suicide he had promised if I became the governor of Rivers State. Thank God he chickened out and did not die.”
Wike announced an N500million grant to PAMO University; a post-graduate scholarship to the overall best graduating student, and N5million reward for each of the best departmental graduating students.
By: John Bibor
President Bola Tinubu yesterday signed into law four tax reform bills aimed at transforming Nigeria’s fiscal and revenue framework.
The four bills include: the Nigeria Tax Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill.
They were passed by the National Assembly after months of consultations with various interest groups and stakeholders.
The ceremony took place at the Presidential Villa, yesterday.
The ceremony was witnessed by the leadership of the National Assembly and some legislators, governors, ministers, and aides of the President.
The presidency had earlier stated that the laws would transform tax administration in the country, increase revenue generation, improve the business environment, and give a boost to domestic and foreign investments.
“When the new tax laws become operational, they are expected to significantly transform tax administration in the country, leading to increased revenue generation, improved business environment, and a boost in domestic and foreign investments,” Special Adviser to the President on Media, Bayo Onanuga said on Wednesday.
Before the signing of the four bills, President Tinubu had earlier yesterday, said the tax reform bills will reset Nigeria’s economic trajectory and simplify its complex fiscal landscape.
Announcing the development via his official X handle, yesterday, the President declared, “In a few hours, I will sign four landmark tax reform bills into law, ushering in a bold new era of economic governance in our country.”
Tinubu made a call to investors and citizens alike, saying, “Let the world know that Nigeria is open for business, and this time, everyone has a fair shot.”
He described the bills as not just technical adjustments but a direct intervention to ease burdens on struggling Nigerians.
“These reforms go beyond streamlining tax codes. They deliver the first major, pro-people tax cuts in a generation, targeted relief for low-income earners, small businesses, and families working hard to make ends meet,” Tinubu wrote.
According to the President, “They will unify our fragmented tax system, eliminate wasteful duplications, cut red tape, restore investor confidence, and entrench transparency and coordination at every level.”
He added that the long-standing burden of Nigeria’s tax structure had unfairly weighed down the vulnerable while enabling inefficiency.
The tax reforms, first introduced in October 2024, were part of Tinubu’s post-subsidy-removal recovery plan, aimed at expanding revenue without stifling productivity.
However, the bills faced turbulence at the National Assembly and amongst some state governors who rejected its passing in 2024.
At the NASS, the bills sparked heated debate, particularly around the revenue-sharing structure, which governors from the North opposed.
They warned that a shift toward derivation-based allocations, especially with VAT, could tilt fiscal balance in favour of southern states with stronger consumption bases.
After prolonged dialogue, the VAT rate remained at 7.5 per cent, and a new exemption was introduced to shield minimum wage earners from personal income tax.
By May 2025, the National Assembly passed the harmonised versions with broad support, driven in part by pressure from economic stakeholders and international observers who welcomed the clarity and efficiency the reforms promised.
In his tweet, Tinubu stressed that this is just the beginning of Nigeria’s tax evolution.
“We are laying the foundation for a tax regime that is fair, transparent, and fit for a modern, ambitious Nigeria.
“A tax regime that rewards enterprise, protects the vulnerable, and mobilises revenue without punishing productivity,” he stated.
He further acknowledged the contributions of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform Committee, the National Assembly, and Nigeria’s subnational governments.
The President added, “We are not just signing tax bills but rewriting the social contract.
“We are not there yet, but we are firmly on the road.”
The Senate has issued a 10-day ultimatum to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) over its failure to appear before the Senate Committee on Public Accounts probing alleged financial discrepancies amounting to over ?210 trillion in its audited reports from 2017 to 2023.
Despite being summoned, no officials or external auditors from NNPCL showed up yesterday.
However, representatives from the representatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission and Department of State Services were present.
Angered by the NNPCL’s absence, the committee, yesterday, issued a 10-day ultimatum, demanding the company’s top executives to appear before the panel by July 10 or face constitutional sanctions.
A letter from NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Dapo Segun, dated June 25, was read at the session.
It cited an ongoing management retreat and requested a two-month extension to prepare necessary documents and responses.
The letter partly read, “Having carefully reviewed your request, we hereby request your kind consideration to reschedule the engagement for a period of two months from now to enable us to collate the requested information and documentation.
“Furthermore, members of the Board and the senior management team of NNPC Limited are currently out of the office for a retreat, which makes it difficult to attend the rescheduled session on Thursday, 26th June, 2025.
“While appreciating the opportunity provided and the importance of this engagement, we reassure you of our commitment to the success of this exercise. Please accept the assurances of our highest regards.”
But lawmakers rejected the request.
The Committee Chairman, Senator Aliyu Wadada, said NNPCL was not expected to submit documents, but rather provide verbal responses to 11 key questions previously sent.
“For an institution like NNPCL to ask for two months to respond to questions from its own audited records is unacceptable,” Wadada stated.
“If they fail to show up by July 10, we will invoke our constitutional powers. The Nigerian people deserve answers,” he warned.
Other lawmakers echoed similar frustrations.
Senator Abdul Ningi (Bauchi Central) insisted that NNPCL’s Group CEO, Bayo Ojulari, must personally lead the delegation at the next hearing.
The Tide reports that Ojulari took over from Mele Kyari on April 2, 2025.
Senator Onyekachi Nwebonyi (Ebonyi North) said the two-month request suggested the company had no answers, but the committee would still grant a fair hearing by reconvening on July 10.
Senator Victor Umeh (Anambra Central) warned the NNPCL against undermining the Senate, saying, “If they fail to appear again, Nigerians will know the Senate is not a toothless bulldog.”
Last week, the Senate panel grilled Segun and other top executives over what they described as “mind-boggling” irregularities in NNPCL’s financial statements.
The Senate flagged ?103 trillion in accrued expenses, including ?600 billion in retention fees, legal, and auditing costs—without supporting documentation.
Also questioned was another ?103 trillion listed under receivables. Just before the hearing, NNPCL submitted a revised report contradicting the previously published figures, raising more concerns.
The committee has demanded detailed answers to 11 specific queries and warned that failure to comply could trigger legislative consequences.
The National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA) said over 17 million Nigerians travelled out between 2023 and 2024.
This is as the association announced that it would be organising a maiden edition of Eastern Travel Market 2025 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital from 27th to 30th August, 2025.
Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone, Hope Ehiogie, disclosed this during a news briefing in Port Harcourt.
Ehiogie explained that the event aims to bring together over 1,000 travel professionals to discuss the future of the industry in the nation and give visibility to airlines, hospitality firms, hospitals and institutions in the South-South and South-East, tagged Eastern Zone.
He stated that the 17 million number marks a significant increase in overseas travel and tours.
According to him, “Nigerian travel industry has seen significant growth, with 17 million people traveling out of the country in 2023”.
Ehiogie further said the potential of tourism and travel would bring in over $12 million into the nation’s economy by 2026, saying it would be a major spike in the sector, as 2024 recorded about $4 million.
“The potential of tourism and travel is that it can generate about $12 million for the nation’s economy by 2026. Last year it was $4 million.
“In the area of travels, over 17 million Nigerians traveled out of the country two years ago for different purposes. This included, health, religious purposes, visit, education and others,” Ehiogie said.
While highlighting the potential of Nigeria’s tourism, he said the hospitality industry in Nigeria has come of age, saying it is now second to none.
The Vice Chairman of NANTA, Eastern Zone further said, “We are not creating an enabling environment for business to thrive. We need to support the industry and provide the necessary infrastructure for growth.”
He said the country has a lot of tourism potential, especially as the government is now showing interest in and supporting the sector.
Ehiogie emphasized that NANTA has been working to support the industry with initiatives such as training schools and platforms for airlines and hotels to sell their products.
He added, “We now have about four to five training schools in the region, and within two years, the first set of students will graduate. We are helping airlines sell tickets and hotels sell their rooms.”
Also speaking, former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of NANTA, Stephen Isokariari of Dial Travels, called for more support from the industry.
Isokariari stated, “We need to work together to grow the industry and contribute to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
“With the right support and infrastructure, the Nigerian travel industry has the potential to make a significant contribution to the nation’s economy.”