Wigwe University, founded by the late Chief Executive Officer of Access Bank, Herbert Wigwe, is set to officially launch operational activities by August.
The university, which is situated in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State, will offer a diverse range of programmes across four major colleges: the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Art, College of Science and Computing, and College of Engineering.
In early January 2024, the private university appointed Prof. Miles Davis from the United States as its pioneer Vice Chancellor.
Davis holds a Doctorate in Human and Organisational Sciences from the George Washington University, USA.
Sitting on the Board of Trustees is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the Founding Partner of Kenna Partners, Prof. Fabian Ajogwu. Others include Dr. Ajoritsedere Awosika, and Mrs. Mosunmola Belo-Olusoga.
A check on the school’s website revealed that all its programmes are “delivered to an international standard, in collaboration with key international partners. Our approach puts us in touch with world-leading curricula, joint research and international exchanges and internship programmes”.
The website further stated that with its innovative approach to higher education and strong commitment to research, community engagement, and academic excellence, Wigwe University “is poised to shape Africa’s future as a leader in global education.
“The institution’s blend of home-based and foreign faculty members promises to instill a sense of purpose, foster creativity, and inspire a new generation of well-rounded fearless leaders who will make a significant impact in the world”.
Further checks showed that the cheapest college is Arts with a total fee of N9,600,000. Students taking courses in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Computing will pay a total fee of ¦ 11,998,800 each.
The fees cover tuition, books, laboratory supplies and consumables, personal protective equipment, project lab resources, e-learning resources, and health insurance, among others.
The late founder, Wigwe, died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizzy, in California on February 9, 2024.
In his message found on the school’s website page, Wigwe stated, “I cannot change the world overnight. But if I can empower even one youth today, tomorrow, they could join me in empowering others. With time, we could change the world”.

A Researcher and Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Port Harcourt, Prof. Sofiri Joab-Peterside, has urged Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminialayi Fubara to attune himself to the desires of the citizenry if he must overcome the current political crisis.
Prof. Peterside while speaking on a live radio programme, “Viewpoint”, recently in Port Harcourt, said the Governor has so far displayed disposition for peace, but should be alert of scheme by his detractors to derail him.
He said, “You can’t want peace and allow yourself to be executed. He must take calculated actions, he should not be disconnected from the people”.
Meanwhile, the university don faulted the embattled Assembly led by Martins Amaewhule for acting in conflict with sections of the Constitution by passing laws without public engagement and endorsement by the Governor.
He argued that the action of the embattled lawmakers were ultra vires since they did not follow the legal process of amending laws without public input and engaging their constituents.
“Tenure elongation is not in tandem with our Constitution”, Prof. Peterside observed, “and we are not in military government where laws are made without public hearing”.
On his views about the legality of the Amaewhule-led Assembly, the sociologist said the defection of the 27 lawmakers contravenes Section 109 of the Constitution, which further provides that the laws and actions carried out by them were illegal.
Besides, the university lecturer opined that the lawmakers are not well grounded in lawmaking, as some of their actions were done in retrospection.
He challenged civil society groups to live up to their responsibility by checking the excesses of leaders, adding that the people should be active and participate in the governance process.
On what he feels is the solution to the political crisis in Rivers State, Peterside said, “the solution is still elusive as far as the aggressors do not give room for peace”.

Kevin Nengia

The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Okrika Local Government Area, Comrade Jonathan Gunn, has urged the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalaiyi Fubara, to create job opportunities for Rivers youths in order to alleviate their economic and financial burden.
This was contained in a communique issued at the end of a congress meeting held recently by the Wakrike National Youth Council, in Okrika, Rivers State.
“We call on the Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalaiyi Fubara, to consider the youths as priority in terms of employment opportunities, skills acquisition, among others, to alleviate their economic and financial burden in the State”, the document stated.
It also past a vote of confidence on Rt. Hon. passed a vote of confidence in the leadership of Rt Hon. Victor Oko-Jumbo as Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly due to his past records, and urged the new leadership in the House of Assembly to use their good office to enact laws that will favour the youths in the State.
The communique also called on INEC to “as a matter of urgency, adhere to Section 109 (1) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and conduct elections for the vacant seats for the former assembly members in the state.
“We congratulate His Excellency, Sir Siminalaiyi Fubara, for his development strides in transforming Rivers State and pleaded that he should also consider the bridge linking Okrika to Port-Harcourt”.