Following the demise of the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Prof Nimi Briggs, the management of the institution has declared five days of mourning from Monday, April 10 to Friday, April 14.
The notice was contained in a press statement signed by the Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, on Monday.
Georgewill stated that All UNIPORT flags on campus will fly at half mast, during this time.
He said, “Condolence register to be opened in the office of the Vice Chancellor, the entrance into senate building and at the College of Health Sciences.
“We urge all staff, students and stakeholders to pray for the repose of our 5th Vice Chancellor and for strength for his family to remain strong.
“God rest the soul of Emeritus Prof Nimi Briggs and the souls of all the faithful departed in Jesus Mighty name Amen”.
Briggs was the 5th Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt between 2000 and 2005.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of late emeritus Professor of Medicine who passed on at 79.
A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Media & Publicity), Femi Adesina, on April 10, 2023, said, “President Muhammadu Buhari shares the pain of loss with family, friends and associates of the 5th Vice Chancellor of University of Port-Harcourt, Prof. Nimi Briggs, 79, extending sympathy to the academia and Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).
“President Buhari notes the historic contributions of the scholar to national development, particularly the educational sector, reaching the pinnacle of his career, with distinctions in service.
“The President believes the Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Pro Chancellor of Federal University, Abakaliki, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa and Chairman, Committee of Pro Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, lived for the good of the country and humanity, urging family and friends to immortalize his legacies.
“The President prays that the Almighty God will grant the soul of the departed a peaceful rest.”
Similarly, Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, said the death of Professor Briggs came to him as a shock.
The governor described the death of the renowned Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, who once served as chairman of both Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and Rivers State Economic Advisory Council, as a sad moment for the Government and people of Rivers State.
A statement signed his Special Assistant on Media, Kelvin Ebiri, yesterday, quoted Wike as noting that Briggs was not only an exceptional obstetrics and gynaecology teacher, but also an astute administrator who was committed to the common good of humanity.
The governor, while acknowledging the immense contributions of Prof Briggs while he served in RSIEC and the Rivers State Economic Advisory Council, stressed that his passion, vision and relentless pursuit of better and progressive Rivers State will remain a source of inspiration to generations to come.
“I am very shocked and sad to hear that Emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs has passed on. He was indeed symbol of commitment and dedication to the medical profession, our dear Rivers State and the nation. His contributions to public health and service were immeasurable.
“As the Vice Chancellor of the foremost University of Port Harcourt, Prof Briggs demonstrated that he was absolutely visionary, because he worked tirelessly to promote academic excellence and infrastructural transformation of the institution.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, I wish to express my profound condolences to Prof Briggs’ wife, his children, extended family and friends. I pray God to grant you all the fortitude to bear this devastating loss”, Wike said.