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120 To Bag First Class At RSU Convocation
The Rivers State University, Nkpolu Oroworukwo Port Harcourt, has announced that a total of 8,920 students from the various faculties and departments of the university will be graduating during the 36th convocation of the institution.
The university also announced that out of the figure, 120 students would bag first class honours.
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Nlerum Sunday Okogbule, disclosed this during a press conference held in the institution in Port Harcourt, recently.
Okogbule,while giving the breakdown, said 6,708 students bagged First Degree; 2,122 students earned higher degrees, 4,017 bagged Class Honours, Lower Division; 757 received Third Class Division, while 58 earned Pass Division.
In the Higher Degree category, 743 bagged Post-Graduate Diplomas; 1,195 received Masters Degrees, while 442 earned Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
He said that that this year’s Convocation ceremony is special because it will be recording two significant events in the historical trajectory of the university.
“First, it will be the last convocation where I will be participating as Vice-Chancellor of the University. This is because my five years tenure as Vice-Chancellor of the University will terminate on 4th March, 2025. Second, it will witness the graduation of the first set of Nursing graduates from the University.
“The Nursing graduates were recently inducted as professional nurses by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria. This is a landmark achievement not only for the University, but also for the Rivers State Government which is massively supporting the Medical College, and the University,” he said.
He added that a convocation lecture would be delivered by the former Vice-Chancellor of Usman Danfodiyo University, Prof. Lawal Suleiman Bilbis on Thursday.
The lecture will be titled “Emerging technologies in reshaping the future of education and the learning environment.”
He added, “Finally, we will also have an exhibition of some of the research findings, designs inventions and innovations by staff of the University.”
According to him, “the purpose of this exercise is to draw the attention of the public to some of our relevant research findings to see how corporate entities and individuals can support us in the task of improving the wellbeing of humankind and to spice the programme.
“There will also be cultural display where our award-winning Theatre Arts group will entertain guests with their intricate dance steps.”
On academic achievements and developments, the vice Chancellor said, “I am happy to inform you that the University has within the last one year continued to creditably acquit itself in the task of producing the required high-level manpower to meet the aspirations of the people of Rivers State, and respond to the peculiar environmental challenges of the Niger Delta region, and Nigeria as a whole.
“Let me also use this opportunity to inform you that the University has witnessed a number of landmark academic achievements in the last one year.
“Topmost among these is the fact that in the last National Universities Commission (NUC) Accreditation exercise for 2023, all the 19 programmes presented by our University for accreditation received Full Accreditation Status from the Commission. No programme was given Interim Accreditation, and none was denied accreditation. This means a 100% performance.
“It may be recalled that in the 2022 Accreditation exercise, we presented twenty-four (24) programmes, and all the 24 programmes received Full Accreditation status. We, therefore, scored 100% in both accreditation exercises consecutively. This is a clear indication that our University is doing very well academically. We are also confident of scoring the same 100% in the three programmes presented for accreditation in the just concluded 2024 exercise.”
The University which started in 1980 with seven (7) Faculties, namely: Faculty of Agriculture, Engineering, Science, Technical and Science Education, Environmental Sciences, Management Sciences and Law now has 15 Faculties.
The new Faculties include, Humanities, Social Sciences, Communication and Media Studies, Entrepreneurial Studies, Basic Medical Sciences, Basic Clinical Sciences and Faculty of Clinical Sciences under the prestigious College of Medical Sciences.
Prof Okogbule said further that the university recently commenced the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences while approval has also been given to commence Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences.
He added that the current student population has also increased to over 40,000.
By: Akujobi Amadi
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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