Education

UNIPORT Raises Alarm Over Fake Facebook Account Impersonating-VC

Published

4 hours ago

October 12, 2026

The Management of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has alerted members of the public to a fake Facebook account allegedly impersonating its Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chike Princewill R. Chike.

The university said the operators of the unauthorised account had reportedly been sending messages to unsuspecting members of the public in the name of the Vice-Chancellor.

In a press release dated October 9, 2026, and signed by the Head of Information, Publications and Public Relations, Dr Sam Kpenu, the institution categorically stated that the Vice-Chancellor does not operate a Facebook account.

The university described the account as fraudulent and warned members of the public against engaging with its operators or responding to messages purportedly sent by the Vice-Chancellor through the platform.

It advised the public not to send money, disclose personal or financial information, or engage in any business transaction with the operators of the account.

UNIPORT further dissociated the Vice-Chancellor and the university’s Management from the account and any activities carried out through it.

The institution urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report the fake account to Facebook to prevent unsuspecting individuals from falling victim to the alleged fraudulent activities.

It also advised the public to verify information concerning the university and its officials through recognised communication channels.

The university directed members of the public to its official website, www.uniport.edu.ng, for authentic information and updates.

Reiterating its warning, the university urged the public to disregard the account and exercise caution when receiving messages from individuals claiming to represent the Vice-Chancellor.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

RSU Disowns Viral Image of Flooding at University Main Gate

Published

5 hours ago

October 12, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State University (RSU), Nkpolu-Oroworukwo, Port Harcourt, has dismissed as false and misleading an AI-generated image circulating on social media platforms, alleging that the university’s main entrance and surrounding areas have been flooded and rendered inaccessible.

In a press release dated October 9, 2026, and signed by the Registrar, Dr. Idanyingi I. Daminabo, the university management clarified that the institution was not flooded and that its main entrance remained accessible.

The university stated that the image, which had been widely circulated on social media, did not reflect the actual situation on campus.

According to the management, the university remains open and continues to welcome members of staff, students, parents, prospective students, guests and organisations interested in engaging or partnering with the institution.

The management urged members of the university community and the general public to disregard the image and refrain from sharing or amplifying unverified information capable of generating unnecessary fear and disrupting the institution’s activities.

It also cautioned individuals deliberately circulating false information about the university to desist from such acts and be mindful of the consequences of spreading misleading reports.

The statement further encouraged members of the public to obtain information about the institution exclusively through officially recognised communication channels.

These channels, the university noted, include its official website and verified social media platforms.

The management reiterated its commitment to providing accurate information to the public and urged all stakeholders to verify claims before sharing them online.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

85th JCC: FG, States Battle Education Crisis with Infrastructure, Teacher Motivation

Published

5 hours ago

October 12, 2026

The Tide

The Federal Government and states have intensified efforts to address persistent challenges confronting Nigeria’s education sector, with stakeholders identifying improved infrastructure and teacher motivation as critical to reversing poor learning outcomes.

The position dominated discussions at the just concluded 85th Plenary Meeting of the Joint Consultative Committee on Education (JCC) held at the Obi Wali International Conference Centre, Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

The high-level education meeting, which brought together policymakers, technocrats and stakeholders from across the country, was organised around the theme: “Infrastructural Development and Teacher Motivation: Panacea for Improved Learning Outcomes.”

Declaring the importance of the theme, participants stressed that sustainable improvement in education requires simultaneous attention to the physical condition of schools and the welfare, professional development and motivation of teachers.

In their opening remarks and welcome addresses, the Minister of Education, Dr. Maroof Olatunji Alausa expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government and people for hosting the plenary in the “treasure base of the nation.”

The Federal Government also commended the Rivers State Governor, represented by Sir Siminialayi Fubara, GSSRS, alongside the State Commissioner for Education, permanent secretaries, heads of education agencies and the Local Organising Committee for their roles in ensuring the success of the meeting.

The plenary reviewed several Federal Government interventions designed to reposition the education sector, including the Nigeria Education Sector Renewal Initiative (NESRI), Renewed Hope Energized Education Programme (RHEEP), next-generation student hostel projects and the National Digital Learning Initiative.

On teacher development, participants noted the progress recorded through the Edurevamp digital platform, which has registered more than 51,000 teachers, as well as skill-up training programmes supported by the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC).

The meeting also renewed attention to Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis, with stakeholders highlighting ongoing enrolment campaigns, alternative learning pathways and stronger partnerships with state governments as part of efforts to bring more children into the education system.

Participants were challenged to move beyond identifying problems and develop practical solutions capable of being implemented across the education sector. They particularly advocated innovative financing models, including public-private partnerships, community participation and increased contributions from alumni associations.

Although the Federal Ministry of Education and some states participated virtually, the meeting maintained the established rotational hosting arrangement among states. Bayelsa State, which had been scheduled to participate physically, was unable to attend physically.

At the end of the deliberations, stakeholders are expected to produce comprehensive and actionable recommendations on infrastructure, teacher capacity and innovative financing for onward submission to the National Council on Education (NCE), the highest policy-making body in Nigeria’s education sector.

The Port Harcourt plenary consequently placed renewed emphasis on collective responsibility, signalling that meaningful improvement in learning outcomes would require sustained investment in both the environments where Nigerian children learn and the teachers responsible for educating them.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

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

Published

1 week ago

October 5, 2026

The Tide

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