Education

UniPort VC Lauds PCRC, NDLEA, Others on Drugs Campaign

Published

8 months ago

November 3, 2025

The Vice Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt, Professor Owunari Georgewill, has commended the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Rivers State Command, Nigeria Drug Law Enforcement Agency, and others for the one-day illicit drugs campaign organised in the institution, describing the program as important to create awareness on the dangers of illicit drugs abuse and not for content creation.

Professor Georgewill stated this on Thursday during a drug abuse awareness campaign held in the university, stressing that the university remains a citadel of enlightenment where students are models for both moral and academic excellence.

“Our future cannot be built on abuse of substances. Today, we form a formidable coalition against drug abuse. The War Against Drug Abuse is not seasonal but a continuous campaign. We want to build a Nigeria where youth are not dependent on illicit drugs,” Georgewill said.

The Rivers State Commands of Police Community Relations Committee, PCRC, and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Police, on Thursday, 30th October, 2025, took the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) to the University of Port Harcourt in furtherance of the campaign for a drug-free society.

In an interview with journalists at the sidelines of the event, Voke Emore, Chairman of PCRC in Rivers State, said, “The PCRC has done this for two years running now, and this is the third year. We did it in Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rivers State University, and our idea is to drive home the message of the War Against Drug Abuse, where our young people, and even some old persons, who abuse drugs, falling victims to drug abuse, should abstain. We have a lot of deaths, and it needs to stop.

“One of the causes of insecurity and the devices the enemy uses against young people is that they carry weapons and commit crimes under the influence of drugs. We want to say no to drug abuse. We have to put our hands on deck to keep speaking against drug abuse.”

Also speaking, Assistant State Commander, Drug Demand Reduction Unit, in NDLEA, Rivers Command, Grace Adeniyi, said, “Drug abuse is a problem that is ravaging everyone, and there are stages where they should be able to say no to drug abuse and yes to life.

“While they watch who they associate with, mingle with, they should not be pressured into taking hard drugs.

“Our university campus is a place where nobody monitors your activities. You come on your own and stay on your own. Whatever anybody tells you is your ability to say no, I will not be involved in it. So many of the students coming in are young minds; they are just 16 and above, and the elders will bully them into accepting the use of hard drugs.

“The programme is very important. Drug abuse is everywhere. If it’s not in your family, it’s in your neighbourhood. A drug-dependent person is a risk to himself and everybody around him.

“Prevention is better than cure. Don’t go into it. You will be able to avoid so much of the crisis because every other vice is committed under the influence of drug abuse.”

In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, represented by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Choba Police Division, Ahmed Doma, listed increased risk of chronic diseases and permanent damage to brain function, etc., as dangers of drug abuse.

CP Adepoju urged students and everyone to stay away from drug abuse, while reiterating the commitment of the Rivers Police Command to ensuring a drug abuse-free state.

By: Akujobi Amadi

Education

Abia State University Screens First Class Graduates From The 30-32nd Convocation For Employment

Published

1 week ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

In line with the directive of the Governor of Abia State and Visitor to the University, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, for the automatic employment of all First-Class graduates from the 30th–32nd Convocation Ceremony of the University, the Management on Wednesday, 24th June 2026, screened the eligible graduates who have completed their National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) for the onward processing of their employment letters.

Speaking during the meeting, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndukwe J. Okeudo, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor (Mrs.) Roseline Ndimele, expressed delight at the outstanding academic achievements of the graduates. She noted that the University Management is proud of their accomplishments and remains committed to supporting excellence and rewarding hard work.

Professor Ndimele further added that graduates who have successfully completed their NYSC programme are eligible to submit their application documents, while those currently serving or yet to commence the programme should return upon completion of their service.

In his remarks, the Registrar, Dr. Acho Elendu, stated that the meeting was convened in adherence to the directive of the Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR. He urged all prospective candidates to adhere strictly to the guidelines provided in order to avoid errors or misinformation during the screening process.

Recall that during the 30th–32nd Convocation Ceremony of Abia State University held on 27th March 2026 at the retrofitted University Pavilion, the Governor of Abia State and Visitor to the University, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, announced that all First-Class graduates from the three convocation sets would be retained as Graduate Assistants after completing the mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).

Education

Rivers State Begins 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination Wednesday

Published

1 week ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Rivers State Ministry of Education has announced that the 2026 Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) will officially commence on Wednesday, 2026, across all public and private schools in the state.

In a statement issued by the Director of Examinations and Records, Pastor Gideon Nwachukwu Uboh, on behalf of the Honourable Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, says school authorities across all Local Government Areas have been advised to ensure that their students are adequately prepared for the examination.

The statement further directed that schools in all Local Government Areas, except Obio/Akpor, should collect and return examination materials through their respective Zonal Education Offices.

It further directed Schools within the Obio/Akpor Zone to collect and return examination materials at the following custodial centres:

Obio/Akpor Zone I: Community Secondary School, Okoro-Nu-Odo

Obio/Akpor Zone II: State Primary School I, Rumuapara, Obio/Akpor Zone III: Community Secondary School, Ozuoba.

The Ministry also disclosed that the Rivers State Government has paid the examination fees for all candidates in public schools. It warned that any principal or teacher found extorting money from students in public schools under any guise will be sanctioned in accordance with the law.

Akujobi Amadi

Education

FPOG Bonny Announces Resumption Date For Second Semester Academic Session

Published

1 week ago

June 29, 2026

The Tide

The Management of the Federal Polytechnic of Oil and Gas, Bonny, (FPOG) has announced the resumption of second semester from Monday 29th of June 2026.

A statement signed by Mr Anthony Ogbe, Senior Assistant Registrar/public Relations officer and made available to the tide advise.

Students to resume as announced and update their course registrations.

The statement further call them to take note of all academic deadlines for the semester , adding that timely resumption is essential to achieving the stated academic objectives.

According to the statement ,” the Polytechnic remains committed to academic excellence, innovation, and bridging the gap between theory and practice. Management has provided the necessary resources and environment to support staff and students in delivering impactful solutions.”

“Management looks forward to receiving all returning students and wishes everyone safe travels back to campus.”the statement added.

Akujobi Amadi