Education

RSU Champions Urban Greening to Tackle Heat, Air Pollution in Port Harcourt

Published

38 seconds ago

October 5, 2026

The Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, has called for a coordinated urban greening campaign to combat rising temperatures, air pollution, flooding and the rapid loss of tree cover in the city.

The call was made on Tuesday at a public lecture on urban greening held at the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Hall, Senator Francis Ella Administrative Building. The programme, organised by the Centre for Climate Change and Sustainable Development Studies, brought together scholars, government officials, environmental experts and other stakeholders to discuss practical ways to build a healthier and more resilient Port Harcourt.

The lecture, which featured a tree-planting exercise, highlighted the link between urban greening and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDGs 3, 11, 13 and 15 on health and well-being, sustainable cities, climate action and life on land.

Declaring the event open, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, said the initiative reflects the university’s commitment to environmental stewardship amid growing threats from deforestation, flooding, air pollution and climate change.

Zeb-Obipi, represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Blessing Jaja, said the programme goes beyond symbolism and offers practical solutions for a cleaner and more sustainable environment. He assured that RSU will continue to provide intellectual leadership and strengthen partnerships with communities, government and other stakeholders.

In his welcome address, the Director of the Centre, Prof. Sodienye A. Abere, described the event as the centre’s maiden tree-planting initiative in host communities and beyond. He noted that the centre, established on January 18, 2023, was created to combine academic knowledge with practical action on climate change.

Abere said the initiative is a starting point for wider environmental interventions across Rivers State, stressing the need for sustained collaboration. He added that the centre would prioritise economic and environmentally beneficial trees based on the needs of host communities.

Delivering the keynote paper titled “Urban Greening to Reduce Extreme Heat and Improve Air Quality in Port Harcourt Metropolis: The Role of Stakeholders,” Prof. K. E. Opara warned that rapid loss of tree cover, driven by unplanned urbanisation, infrastructure expansion and poor land-use planning, is worsening heat and poor air circulation.

Opara identified vehicular emissions, industrial activities and gas flaring as major sources of air pollution in the metropolis. He said strategic tree planting, green belts, rooftop gardens and wetland preservation could provide nature-based solutions to moderate temperatures, improve air quality, support biodiversity and enhance quality of life.

He called for greater involvement of government agencies, the private sector, traditional institutions, youth groups, civil society and residents, and recommended mass tree planting along streets, schools, markets and residential areas, alongside stronger enforcement of environmental laws and integration of green infrastructure into urban planning.

In goodwill messages, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Mr. Tamoialadieokuma Ishmael, represented by Dr. Nimi Elele, advocated that tree planting be made a deliberate government policy and community culture to advance healthy communities.

The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, represented by Director of Forestry, Mrs. Mercy Iboroma, urged youths to explore opportunities in the green economy, while the Managing Director of RIWAMA, Dr. Ibimina Wokoma, pledged the agency’s support for waste management and tree planting.

The President of the Rivers State University Women Association (RISUWA), Dr. Victoria Zeb-Obipi, underscored the role of women in environmental sustainability.

The event climaxed with a tree-planting exercise led by the Vice Chancellor’s representative, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, the RIWAMA boss and the RISUWA President.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Stakeholder Demands Probe Into Alleged Burial of Charms at Rivers School

Published

44 seconds ago

October 5, 2026

The Tide

A concerned education stakeholder has called for an immediate investigation into an alleged incident involving the purported burial of suspected charms within the premises of Community Secondary School (CSS), Oduoha, in Emohua Local Government Area of Rivers State.

The stakeholder’s call followed a report alleging that a principal of the school was seen late at night attempting to bury what was suspected to be charms within the school premises.

The allegation has reportedly generated concern within the community, with the stakeholder describing the reported incident as disturbing and one that requires prompt and transparent investigation by the appropriate authorities.

According to him, if established, the alleged conduct would raise serious concerns about the sanctity, safety and integrity of a school environment.

He said schools were expected to provide safe and conducive environments for teaching and learning, stressing that administrators and educators entrusted with the welfare and development of children should maintain high standards of professionalism and responsibility.

The stakeholder therefore urged the Rivers State Universal Basic Education Board (RSUBEB) and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegation, establish the facts surrounding the incident and take appropriate action based on the outcome of the investigation.

He, however, cautioned members of the public against spreading unverified information or taking the law into their own hands, stressing that the allegation should be subjected to due process.

“Our schools must remain safe, peaceful and conducive environments for our children and teachers. Any conduct that threatens that peace must be properly investigated,” he said.

He further called on the relevant authorities to ensure that the matter was handled objectively and transparently in order to establish the truth and maintain public confidence in the school system.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Staff, Students Protest Alleged Attempt To Arrest – Vc

Published

46 seconds ago

October 5, 2026

The Tide

Staff members and students of Federal University, Oye-Ekiti (FUOYE), on Wednesday, protested an alleged attempt by some policemen to arrest the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, at his residence in Ado-Ekiti.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the staff members – both academic and non-academic – and students had mobilised to the vice-chancellor’s residence, following reports that policemen had moved there to effect his arrest.

Ogunwole, while speaking with newsmen, said the policemen arrived at his official residence at about 6:10 a.m., adding that his children had to wake him after noticing the presence of security personnel around the house.

He said that he had initially declined to come out because he was unsure whether the men were genuine police officers and was wondering what could have prompted their presence.

The vice-chancellor said that the team later informed him that they had a warrant, adding, however, that he insisted on being properly informed of the basis for the arrest.

While linking the development to a petition allegedly written by some individuals connected with the university, Ogunwole said the dispute followed an audio recording which allegedly got leaked.

This, he said, prompted the university management to ask those involved to appear before an investigative committee.

The vice-chancellor added that the matter had been taken to court and that he had also petitioned the Inspector-General of Police over alleged threats to his life and workplace.

He said that he had instructed his lawyers to approach the police to explain that the matter was already before the court, stressing that he remained available to respond to any lawful invitation.

“Somebody of my calibre will not run away. Rather than surrounding my house, there are other better approaches to invite me,” he said.

Ogunwole, who recalled honouring an earlier police invitation with his lawyers, said he remained confident in the rule of law and would continue with his administration’s plans to reposition the university.

“There is no turning back. Our mission is to create a new face for FUOYE. No U-turn, no diversion. We are resolute,” he said.

Also speaking, the FUOYE branch Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Dr Ojo Fagbuagun, said the union was at Ogunwole’s residence to protest what he described as an attempt to intimidate the vice-chancellor.

Fagbuagun pointed fingers at some individuals who, he said, were opposed the changes being introduced by Ogunwole’s administration as being behind the attempted arrest.

He accused some unnamed persons of irregularities, including illegal promotion, abnormal promotion and mismanagement of funds.

“We are here this morning to show the whole world that our VC cannot be intimidated. The union will resist further attempts to harass or intimidate the vice-chancellor,” he said.

Also, Chairman of National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), FUOYE branch, Mr Oluwashola Babafemi, said members were at the residence to protect the peace and progress of the university.

Babafemi said that the vice-chancellor had made himself accessible to staff members and paid attention to their welfare.

“We don’t want anything capable of disrupting the university’s current direction,” he stated.

Similarly, the Secretary of Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions (NASU), FUOYE branch, Mr Emmanuel Adegun, said members decided to mobilise to Ogunwole’s residence after being alerted that policemen had arrived and might take him.

Education

UNIPORT Moves Against Illegal Structures, Begins Demolition Monday …Gives Occupants Deadline to Vacate Premises

Published

32 minutes ago

October 5, 2026

The Tide

The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) is set to commence the demolition of illegal structures on its premises on Monday, October 5, 2026, following a decision by the Finance and General Purpose Committee (F&GPC) of the university’s Governing Council.

The university management, in a statement issued on Friday, October 2, directed all persons occupying or owning structures considered illegal on the university premises to immediately remove their belongings and vacate the affected areas ahead of the exercise.

The directive signals a major enforcement action by the institution to restore order and ensure that its premises are used in accordance with approved university regulations.

According to the statement signed by the Public Relations Officer, Dr Sam Kpenu, the demolition exercise is intended to restore order within the university environment and ensure compliance with regulations governing the use of university property.

The management also said the exercise was aimed at maintaining a safe and conducive environment for students, staff and other members of the university community.

The university urged all affected persons to comply with the directive and cooperate with the relevant authorities to ensure that the exercise is carried out smoothly.

Management advised those occupying the structures to remove their belongings before the commencement of the demolition rather than wait until the exercise begins.

The university further appealed to members of the community to support the exercise, stressing the need for compliance with established regulations governing activities and structures on its premises.

The demolition is scheduled to commence on Monday, October 5, 2026, in line with the decision of the Governing Council’s Finance and General Purpose Committee.

By: Akujobi Amadi