Education

Don Hails RSG Over Scholarship Award

Published

4 years ago

December 20, 2021

Professor of Energy and Comparative Environmental Law at the Rivers State University , Port Harcourt, Prof Samuel Chisa Dike, has expressed gratitude to the Rivers State Government for sponsoring his Doctorate Degree Programme in the United Kingdom, through scholarship, which has propelled him to achieve his dream of becoming a Professor.
Dike, who gave the indication yesterday during a thanksgiving programmes to celebrate his recent appointment as a Professor by the Rivers State University and the survival of his wife, Vera from breast cancer at the Chapel of Redemption in Port Harcourt, said without the kind gesture of the state government, he would not have been a Professor today.
He, however, attributed whatever he is today to God, saying, “if not for God, we would have not gathered here today to rejoice”.
Dike, who spoke during the reception ceremony of the thanksgiving programme, paid glowing tributes to all those who supported him in one way or the other to get to the heights he has attained in life, and expressed his warmest gratitude to them.
The Head of the Department of Public Law in the Faculty of Law also explained the role he played in the carving out of Emohua Local Government Area from Ikwerre Local Government Area when he was the first Leader of the Legislative Assembly in the council area, contending that he endorsed in good faith the document for the creation of Emohua Local Government Area even when several councilors then were opposed to it.
Dike said the significance of the crowd that graced the occasion was the diversity of the personalities who cut across the academia, politics, business and other professions, stressing that it was an indication that he had extended his goodwill to all manner of people in the society.
Also speaking, the chairman of the occasion, Dr O.C. Elem said Prof. Dike was not new to those gathered, describing him as very hard working and focused, recalling that when the university teacher was shot in 2006, he never knew he was going to survive the attack.
According to him, human achievements are not measured by the magnificent edifice one has built.
Describing Dike’s wife as humble, Elem thanked God for all the duo have passed through and all they have survived.
In a semon during the thanksgiving service, the Archbishop of Niger Delta Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Diocese of Ikwerre, Most Rev (Dr) Blessing Enyindah said it was through God’s mercy and faithfulness that Prof Dike has been able to attain great heights in life coupled with the survival of the wife from cancer, and enjoined the university teacher to be more committed to the service of God both in Port Harcourt and in Ubima Community where he hails from.
The cleric also stressed the need for man to be always grateful to God.
The event attracted personalities from all walks of life including the former President of Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) and former Rivers State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Okey Wali (SAN); former Acting Vice Chancellor of Rivers State University, Prof Opuenebo Binya Owei; former governorship candidate of Labour Party in the state, Chief Isaac Wonwor; among others.

By: Donatus Ebi

Education

Uniport Appoints Prof. Princewill R. Chike as 10th Vice-Chancellor

Published

1 week ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt has approved the appointment of Professor Princewill R. Chike as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University.

Prof. Chike, a former Commissioner for Health in Rivers State, will succeed Prof. Georgewill Owunari whose tenure ends on July 13, 2026.

A statement signed by the University’s Public Relations Officer, Dr. Sam Kpenu and made available to _The Tide_, said the appointment was made by the 17th Governing Council following the successful conclusion of the selection process.

“The process was conducted in strict compliance with the provisions of the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act and the University of Port Harcourt Act,” the statement read.

It added that the process involved the constitution of a Search Team and a Joint Council-Senate Selection Board. Both bodies carried out their responsibilities in accordance with extant laws and regulations governing the appointment of Vice-Chancellors in Nigerian universities.

According to the statement, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, congratulated Professor Chike on his appointment.

Senator Ohuabunwa expressed confidence in Prof. Chike’s ability to provide visionary leadership for the continued growth and development of the University.

Professor Princewill R. Chike is expected to formally assume office as the 10th Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt on July 13, 2026.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Education commissioner Commends WAEC Conduct in Rivers ,, Vows Sanctions for Malpractice

Published

1 week ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.

Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation recently during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.

The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.

“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.

Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state

He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.

“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.

While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.

He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process. Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

RSU Law Professor Calls for Periodic Review of Nigeria’s Criminal Laws

Published

1 week ago

June 8, 2026

The Tide

A Professor of Criminal Justice and Law at the Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, Nkpolu-Oroworukwu, Port Harcourt, Prof. Clifford Anaele Nwanyanwu, has advocated for periodic review of the nation’s criminal justice administration laws to reflect current societal needs and challenges.

Prof. Nwanyanwu noted that many of the criminal justice laws in use today date back to the pre-colonial era. He questioned their efficiency in addressing modern criminal justice administration, adding that the complex nature of adjudication often allows crime to thrive.

He made the call while delivering the university’s 132nd Inaugural Lecture on Wednesday at the Senate Conference Auditorium titled: “Society as Criminal Enterprise: Unravelling a Complex Justice System.”

The erudite legal scholar clarified that the lecture was not meant to condemn the country’s justice system. Instead, he said it was intended to highlight areas that require urgent attention.

He expressed concern that criminal justice practice in Nigeria is more dysfunctional than functional, and stressed that he wants to see a system that works effectively for all citizens.

“The essence of criminal justice administration is due process, and anything contrary is not it. Plea bargains help to fast-track trial processes and reduce delays,” he stated.

However, Prof. Nwanyanwu expressed worry that the sums recovered through plea bargain arrangements are often meagre compared to the wealth looted, noting that this contradicts the purpose of the arrangement.

To strengthen the system, he recommended merit-based recruitment of judicial officers with proven character and integrity. He also called for adequate funding, infrastructure development, removal of political interference, and ethical reorientation within the judiciary.

The law professor further recommended that the state should pay compensation to citizens when security officers are found culpable for arbitrary killings, in line with the principle of vicarious liability.

In his remarks, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Isaac Zeb-Obipi, commended the lecturer. He described the lecture as timely and relevant to addressing the nagging challenges of crime in society.

Prof. Zeb-Obipi expressed concern over the justice system’s inability to curb the rising rate of criminal activities in the state. He added that through inaugural lectures, the university continues to provide solution-based approaches to societal challenges.

Our correspondent reports that the thought-provoking lecture was attended by stakeholders in the judicial system, judges, magistrates, scholars, and members of the university community.

By: Akujobi Amadi