Education

Varsity Matriculates 1,000 Students

Published

14 years ago

March 12, 2012

The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Port Harcourt Study Centre, has matriculated about 1,000 students into the 2011/2012 academic year.

Out of this number, 800 students were admitted into the degree programmes while 200 students were admitted into the post-graduate studies.

The Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, disclosed this at the 7th Matriculation Ceremony held in Port Harcourt, recently.

Delivering his address at the ceremony, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, charged the fresh students to use the golden opportunity judiciously to enable them write a memorable chapter in the history of their lives.

Represented by the director of Port Harcourt Study Centre, Professor G. A. I. Nwogu, the Vice Chancellor told the matriculating students that the university is one that uses do-it-yourself approach.

According to him, NOUN is a 21st century university. “As you are already aware, the admission process is online. So also are the registration, assessments and examination processes”, he emphasised.

The Vice Chancellor urged the students to make good use of their study materials and other learning avenues at they would determine the level of their success at the end of their programmes.

His words: “Whatever the mind can conceive, it can achieve. If you can think it, you can do it, “Good thinking”, Good product”.

“You started by dreaming big to require university education. Congratulations.

“Let me boldly tell you that the rewards of hard work are many. So you will do well to keep this at the back of your minds as you go about translating your big dream into reality”, he maintained.

Administering the matriculation oath to the students, the Registrar of the institution, Mrs. Josephine Akinyemi, charged the students to abide by the requirements and demands of open and distance learning as exemplified by the university’s multi-model system of instructional delivery.

The registrar, who was represented by Mr. Bayo Emmanuel, advised them to pay due respect and be obedient to the vice-chancellor and other officers of the university at the headquarters, campuses and study centres.

She charged the students to observe all the regulations which may from time to time be issued for the good order and governance of the university.

She urged them to refrain from act that could disrupt the activities of the university or likely bring it into disrepute.

Expressing his views on the matriculation ceremony, a student of Peace and Conflict Resolution Studies, Mr Ikechukwu Achuoso, said he was overwhelmed with joy and expressed optimism that at the end of the programme, he would grab a lot of things.

According to him, “what I am experiencing here, now, I did not even expect it in this way. From what people are saying, the school is a nice one”.

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