Education

Landlords Threaten To Reclaim School Land, Over Unemployment

Published

14 years ago

June 4, 2012

The land owners of Community Secondary School (CSS), Erema in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Area have threatened to reclaim their lands if the Ministry of Education and other relevant authorities did not address their grievances.

The Landlords – Umu-Orukwoela family of Erema said their magnanimity in donating the land had not been reciprocated because no employment opportunity had been giving to them since their good gestures.

Last week students and teachers were barred from entering the school’s premises by the family thereby disrupting academic activities.

The school’s main gate was not only padlocked the protesting family also mounted a canopy at the main entrance.

The students and teachers after milling around for over three hours left for their different homes disappointed.

However, at about 10.30 am, the family backed down following the appeals of the Erema Community Development Chairman, Mr Onyekachi Umah, the Principal of the Senior Secondary section of the school, Mr Emmanuel Oriekwo and some other concerned members of the community.

Speaking to The Tide, spokesman of the family, Mr Ogwe Elenwa said the land measuring more than 40 acres was donated to state government, with hope that the family would be giving preference in employment of junior staff.

According to Elenwa, since late 70s when the vast farm land was giving out, nobody from the family had been giving the opportunity to work their, saying that even a delegation led by one Elijah Ezi to the Local Government Education Authority did not produce any results.

He expressed disappointment that despite series of letters and delegations to both the Schools Board and Ministry of Education, nothing had been done to address their demand, but instead, last year some junior staff were employed in the school without consideration for any members of his family.

“Since we have been neglected, we want our land back”, saying that the family has resolved to continue the protest until their demands are met.

Speaking to The Tide earlier, Mr Emmanuel Oriekwo, principal of the senior secondary section, expressed concern that the actions of the landlords may affect the students performance in attending to classes.

Mr Oriekwo, said in a meeting had with the delegations of the family, they were advised to ask those who are qualified to apply for job since there is announcement to that effect by the state government.

“I have no power to employ any person, only the board can employ,” he said, but the Education Secretary in charge of Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government, Mr Israel Brown, said he had already promised the family, that he would forward their demands to the relevant authorities, wondering why they could not exercise patience to allow him pursue their case in a civilised manner.

Education

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

Published

5 days 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

5 days 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

5 days 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