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Time Lists UNIPORT VC Among Top 100 African Change Makers …Presents Medal Of Honour, Awards
The Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Prof Owunari Georgewill, has been honoured by Time Africa Magazine, as the Change Maker of the Year 2022.
Time Africa is an International Biweekly Magazine with a culture of excellence with correspondents across the nations of Africa.
A statement by the university’s Public Relations Officer,Dr Sam Kpenu, in Port Harcourt,said the presentation of the awards to the VC was done, last Monday, at the Vice Chancellors Office, University of Port Harcourt by the Chairman of Time Africa Board, Rory Knight based in Washington, DC, United States of America.
The statement quotedKnight as saying that Georgewill was honoured because of the highest level of excellence and achievement in his field, his impacts which have a lasting legacy in Nigeria, the continent and around the world.
The statement said the board chairman, who was represented by the Managing Director andEditor-In-Chief of the magazine, Chidi-Peters Okorie said, “African 100 Award/Medal of Honour is bestowed on Professor Owunari Georgewill based on three criteria: outstanding research, unusually effective teaching, and distinguished professorial service.
“Today, he is given this medal of honour and listed among the African 100 due to his high impact performance, and I hope that this honour shall bring to Professor Georgewill a feeling of accomplishment and encourage him to move forward with increased confidence and strength,” he said.
Knight said the University of Port Harcourt has become Africa’s education game-changer, shifting from teacher-centric education to student-centric education, noting that Geogewill, upon assumption of office, has made history through his fearless, strong, and determined programmes that have set transformational agenda for a competitive University of Port Harcourt.
He described Georgewill as a reformer who has introduced several reform programmes that have brought the university’s management closer to staff, students, and stakeholders through “This Week In Retrospect” and “Welcome To A New Week”.
Knight said, “under Georgewill’s leadership, the university has made tremendous progress in areas of academic, international collaborations with universities in Africa and Europe as well as Canada and the US, and has attracted government and international organisations in the infrastructure uplifting of the university”.
The international magazine also noted that from available records, the university was currently a construction ground for faculty buildings, hostel accommodation buildings, professorial office buildings, staff office buildings, classrooms, lecture theatres, lecture auditoriums, solar power for electricity supply, academic excellence with the participation of staff and students in local and international conferences, workshops, seminars, and post-graduate training, amongst others, and expressed the hope that these awards; the medal of honour and African 100 would spur him to greater heights by not relenting on his oars.
Responding, Prof Georgewill Owunari expressed appreciation to Time Africa Magazine for the recognition, and dedicated the award to all men and women of goodwill striving for excellence in their various fields of endeavour and to God Almighty.
He said the journey so far has been interesting, and revealed that he would use every opportunity at his disposal to present the university to the national and international levels.
He described himself as a servant who works along with other members of staff (teaching and non-teaching) and students to perform at optimal level to develop the university.
He told his audience, “Since my assumption of office on July 13, 2021, justice and fair play have been my watchword. I provide equal opportunity for all, irrespective of tribe, religion, or gender. I give high consideration to gender parity in all my appointments, and maintain the rule of law in all my actions by playing by the extant rules of the university”.
He assured the organisation that he would not be scared to delve into uncharted waters, saying that that has been the conveyor belt that has enabled him to continue to thrive in leaps and bounds; creating an engaging environment to nurture academic growth and encourage a culture of research and development, teaching and learning as well as community service.
By: Amadi Akujobi
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The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has directed his lawyers to withdraw all ongoing defamation lawsuits against several individuals, saying he was moved by counsel during a New Year Mass.
Speaking at the Sacred Heart Parish in Uyo, yesterday, Akpabio said he had filed nearly nine lawsuits against individuals he accused of defaming him.
He said, “I had almost nine cases in court against some individuals who defamed me, who lied against me, who slandered my name.
“But I listened to the priest and suddenly realised he was talking to me, so I hereby direct my solicitor to withdraw all lawsuits against them.”
In 2025, Akpabio had filed several high-profile defamation lawsuits, including one against colleague Senator Natasha Akpoti?Uduaghan.
In late 2025, Akpabio filed a N200 billion defamation lawsuit against her over allegations of sexual harassment, which he denied and urged her to substantiate in court.
Earlier in the year, Akpabio’s wife also filed defamation suits against Akpoti?Uduaghan over claims she said had harmed her family’s reputation.
Relations between the two lawmakers soured after Akpoti?Uduaghan accused Akpabio of influencing her suspension from the Senate in March 2025, following her public allegations of misconduct.
The Senator had previously challenged actions taken against her in court, including a N100 billion defamation suit she filed against Akpabio and other defendants over alleged remarks that she said damaged her reputation.
With yesterday’s announcement, Akpabio has formally ended all pending legal disputes arising from defamation claims, signalling closure to the publicised litigations as the year begins.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has declared that the best form of gratitude Rivers people owe President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for protecting the interest of the State is to galvanize massive support for the President in 2027.
Fubara disclosed this last Monday during the commissioning of Permanent Secretaries Quarters built by his administration at Elimgbu in Obio Akpor Local Government Area of the State.
He said that the State has what it takes to deliver the President during the 2027 general elections.
“We’ve taken a decision,our decision is for the good of Rivers State, our decision is to say thank you for the protection we have from Mr President, our decision is to prove that we have what it takes to deliver Mr President.”
Fubara expressed delight over the completion of the project, stating that the initiative was to provide accommodation, a basic need of life for public servants in the state to improve their productivity.
He explained that lack of effective social welfare was at the root of some incriminating actions that undermine the purpose of governance, noting that the commissioning of the newly built Permanent Secretaries Quarters marks a significant milestone in civil service welfare and institutional development.
“Insecurity begins when individuals are uncertain of what the next hour holds. This situation is especially challenging for family men and women, affecting confidence and decision-making,” he observed.
Fubara emphasized the need for proper maintenance of the facility and urged the beneficiaries to protect the project like a personal property, while directing the State Head of Service to appoint a facility manager to ensure long-term maintenance.
In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Esther Walson-Jack, who unveiled the project, expressed appreciation to the governor and Rivers State for inviting her to commission the project.
She commended Fubara for prioritizing the welfare of Permanent Secretaries who are senior public servants and accounting officers, noting that the project reflects purposeful and visionary leadership, and urged other states to borrow a cue from the Rivers State Governor.
Walson-Jack described the initiative as a strategic investment in staff welfare and institutional continuity which she noted is in line with Renewed Hope Initiative on provision of mass housing and social stability.
“The commissioning of these houses reflect a deliberate commitment to the dignity, welfare, and productivity of senior public servants responsible for policy coordination and service delivery,” she said.
In his goodwill message, the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibode Bashiru, who led a high powered delegation on a visit to the governor, congratulated Rivers people for aligning with the Pan Nigerian political party, assuring that the interest of Rivers State will be duly protected in the APC.
He described President Bola Tinubu as a detribalised Nigerian who anchors his leadership on equity, fairness and justice, adding that the APC will provide a level playing ground for all.
The APC chief scribe also commended Fubara for providing good accommodation for public servants, stating that it will address issues of sabotage, compromise and disloyalty on the part of public servants.
Giving the project description, Permanent Secretary, Rivers State Ministry of Works, Dr. Austin Ezekiel-Hart, said the estate comprises 29 units, including nine standalone duplexes and 20 terrace buildings.
Facilities feature a water treatment plant, synchronized power generators, CCTV and alarm systems, a gym, recreational areas, and green spaces—designed to enhance comfort, performance, and productivity.
Earlier, the Head of the Rivers State Civil Service, Dr Mrs Inyingi Brown, had thanked the governor for his visionary initiative and unwavering commitment to the welfare of Rivers State Civil Servants, and restated the commitment of the State civil servants to the success of Fubara’s administration.
By: Taneh Beemene