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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
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has charged the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and Chief of Staff (CoS) to carry out their duties with discipline, loyalty and a firm commitment to the success of the administration and the wellbeing of the people of Rivers State.
The governor warned that any involvement in unauthorised nocturnal meetings or any conduct capable of embarrassing the government will attract immediate dismissal.
Fubara gave the warning yesterday shortly after the newly appointed Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Dr Dagogo S.A. Wokoma and the new Chief of Staff (CoS), Barrister Sunny Ewule, were sworn in at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Port Harcourt.
As part of the ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the State High Court, David Ihua-Maduenyi administered the Oath of Allegiance and Oath of Office on the duo before the governor gave his charge.
Addressing the appointees, Fubara reminded them that their elevation to the new positions was a call to service and not a platform for political grandstanding or the pursuit of personal ambition.
He stressed that their foremost responsibility should be to themselves and to the people of Rivers State, stressing that their conduct must always reflect integrity, restraint and dedication to public good.
Speaking directly to Dr. Wokoma, whom he described as an accomplished academic and mathematician, the governor expressed confidence in his intellectual depth and capacity to deliver on the new assignment.
The office of the Secretary to the State Government, Fubara stressed, demands thoroughness, discipline and a deep sense of responsibility. He charged the SSG to represent the State with honour at all times.
“Your duty includes representing the state government. You need to represent us in a way and manner that will bring honour to us.
“What is important to this administration is to see that the good works that we started and the ones that we met, are concluded in a way that will bring progress and development to our dear state,” he stated.
Turning to the new Chief of Staff, the governor explained that he is expected to ensure smooth administrative coordination, managing official engagements effectively and safeguarding the image of the Government House.
He underscored the sensitive and personal nature of the role and emphasised that the position operates strictly under the authority of the governor.
Fubara stressed that the role does not permit independent political engagements or private strategy meetings without his knowledge and consent.
“Let me sound it here very clearly. Your duty is to make sure that you handle the administrative duties and image making roles perfectly well, liaising with whoever is coming for any official assignment here.
“If you involve yourself in nocturnal meetings and all those things, I will sack you. I’m very serious. What is important to me today is peace, progress and prosperity of this state. I’m not going to compromise anything for it,” he said.
The governor cautioned that involvement of the new appointees in any action capable of bringing the government or his office to disrepute would attract appropriate sanctions.
While congratulating the new appointees, Fubara expressed optimism that they would justify the confidence reposed in them.
He called on all public officials to work together in unity, observing that collective success is stronger and more enduring than individual achievement.
The governor who also addressed the Permanent Secretaries present at the ceremony, directed those of them who have reached retirement age to start preparing their handover notes without delay.
The notice, he said, was not intended to scare anybody but to prepare their minds towards the inevitability of exiting the service one day and to pave way for an orderly transition.
He warned against any attempt to engage in financial misconduct or last-minute irregularities, stressing that he was closely monitoring the system to ensure strict enforcement of accountability rules.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, has dissolved the State Executive Council.
The governor announced the cabinet dissolution yesterday in a statement titled ‘Government Special Announcement’, signed by his new Chief Press Secretary, Onwuka Nzeshi.
Governor Fubara directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.
He thanked the outgoing members of the State Executive Council for their service and wished them the best in their future endeavours.
The three-paragraph special announcement read, “His Excellency, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, GSSRS, Governor of Rivers State, has dissolved the State Executive Council.
“His Excellency, the Governor, has therefore directed all Commissioners and Special Advisers to hand over to the Permanent Secretaries or the most Senior officers in their Ministries with immediate effect.
“His Excellency further expresses his deepest appreciation to the outgoing members of the Executive Council wishing them the best in their future endeavours.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) yesterday told the National Assembly that it requires N873.78bn to conduct the 2027 general elections, even as it seeks N171bn to fund its operations in the 2026 fiscal year.
INEC Chairman, Prof Joash Amupitan, made the disclosure while presenting the commission’s 2026 budget proposal and the projected cost for the 2027 general elections before the National Assembly Joint Committee on Electoral Matters in Abuja.
According to Amupitan, the N873.78bn election budget covers the full conduct of national polls in 2027.
An additional N171bn is needed to support INEC’s routine activities in 2026, including bye-elections and off-season elections, the commission stated.
The INEC boss said the proposed election budget does not include a fresh request from the National Youth Service Corps seeking increased allowances for corps members engaged as ad-hoc staff during elections.
He explained that, although the details of specific line items were not exhaustively presented, the almost N1tn election budget is structured across five major components.
“N379.75bn is for operational costs, N92.32bn for administrative costs, N209.21bn for technological costs, N154.91bn for election capital costs and N42.61bn for miscellaneous expenses,” Amupitan said.
The INEC chief noted that the budget was prepared “in line with Section 3(3) of the Electoral Act 2022, which mandates the Commission to prepare its election budget at least one year before the general election.”
On the 2026 fiscal year, Amupitan disclosed that the Ministry of Finance provided an envelope of N140bn, stressing, however, that “INEC is proposing a total expenditure of N171bn.”
The breakdown includes N109bn for personnel costs, N18.7bn for overheads, N42.63bn for election-related activities and N1.4bn for capital expenditure.
He argued that the envelope budgeting system is not suitable for the Commission’s operations, noting that INEC’s activities often require urgent and flexible funding.
Amupitan also identified the lack of a dedicated communications network as a major operational challenge, adding that if the commission develops its own network infrastructure, Nigerians would be in a better position to hold it accountable for any technical glitches.
Speaking at the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC, Edo North) said external agencies should not dictate the budgeting framework for INEC, given the unique and sensitive nature of its mandate.
He advocated that the envelope budgeting model should be set aside.
He urged the National Assembly to work with INEC’s financial proposal to avoid future instances of possible underfunding.
In the same vein, a member of the House of Representatives from Edo State, Billy Osawaru, called for INEC’s budget to be placed on first-line charge as provided in the Constitution, with funds released in full and on time to enable the Commission to plan early enough for the 2027 general election.
The Joint Committee approved a motion recommending the one-time release of the Commission’s annual budget.
The committee also said it would consider the NYSC’s request for about N32bn to increase allowances for corps members to N125,000 each when engaged for election duties.
The Chairman of the Senate Committee on INEC, Senator Simon Along, assured that the National Assembly would work closely with the Commission to ensure it receives the necessary support for the successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Similarly, the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral Matters, Bayo Balogun, also pledged legislative support, warning INEC to be careful about promises it might be unable to keep.
He recalled that during the 2023 general election, INEC made strong assurances about uploading results to the INEC Result Viewing portal, creating the impression that results could be monitored in real time.
“iREV was not even in the Electoral Act; it was only in INEC regulations. So, be careful how you make promises,” Balogun warned.
The N873.78bn proposed by INEC for next year’s general election is a significant increase from the N313.4bn released to the Commission by the Federal Government for the conduct of the 2023 general election.