Education

Mavi, 12, Writes Two Books In PH …Dep Gov, Others Hail Author

Published

13 years ago

April 8, 2013

The saying that failure is an orphan while success has many parents came to the fore Friday in Port Harcourt when both the high and low struggled for space to identify with twelve years old Mavi Val-Ugboma who presented her two book for launch.

The Rivers State Deputy Governor, Engineer Tele Ikuru, Commissioner for Information and Communications, Ibim Semenitari, her education counterpart, Dame Alice Lawrence-Nemi, Medical Director, Imo State University, Chairman, Rivers State Branch of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, Opaka Dokubo, General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Senibo Celestine Ogolo, ex-member Imo State House of Assembly, Editors and other personalities including friends and family members, all marvelled at Mavi’s books.

Even as she sat amongst the dignitaries at the high table with full comportment, many still believed it was a kiddies joke until when she stepped out to deliver her welcome speech. Herself confidence, superlative accent and perfect delivery unmasked the stuff in little beautiful and brilliant Mavi who revealed to her charged audience that she was inspired by the world acclaimed Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka.

After showering praises on the Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi for his passion in education as evidenced by his great investment on the sector, all Mavi could ask from the Governor was more libraries in the Secondary Schools. No wonder her father, Val Ugboma called her a book worm.

The titles of her books are 2 Will Tales, and 5 Will Tales. Dr Desmond Osueke, Head Research and Training Unit of The Tide Newspapers, who reviewed the first book (2 Will Tales) said the work comprises two short stories – Divine Aid and Together We Stand.

According to the reviewer, it is a story of an orphan left in the hands of a wicked step mother, named Akaike, while Together We Stand is about a family torn apart by deception and lust.

The first story teaches us to be kind to others even if they are not our relations. We learn not to be jealous but to be contented with what we have,” the reviewer said adding that the second story “teaches us some moral lessons. We learn of the torment and confusion that infidelity can bring in a marriage but above all we also learn to forgive one another.”

The reviewer of the second book (5 Will Tales), Dr Alpheaus Paul-Worika said it comprises of five short stories, Adventures of two friends, Evil Customs Must Be Removed, God Has A Reason, A Victory and the last Wickedness of Man.

Dr Paul-Worika who is the Deputy Group News Editor also of The Tide, said the first is about two courageous girls who showed strength and determination in fearlessly fighting against and eventually thwarting the evil plans of armed robbers.

From what he said the stories stressed courage, and doggedness in fighting bad cultural practices, reward for courage, freedom, reformation, marriage challenges.

Of all, the two reviewers described the baby author as a budding star who is a master story teller.

Chairman of the occasion, and the General Manager, Rivers State Newspaper Corporation, Senibo Celestine Ogolo, commended the author and her parents, remarking that she is as rising star set to blossom.

“I have read her books and listened to her address. It’s wonderful,” Senibo Ogolo said and commended Rivers Government for encouraging growth in education noting that it was the wonderful investment and passion of Governor Amaechi that made him win the Vanguard Newspaper’s Award as Personality of the year.

Mavi is a JSS3 student of the Nobles Academy, Port Harcourt and hails from Ndoni in Rivers State.

Highlights of the event was the cutting of Mavi’s 12th birthday cake which coincided with the book launch.

Chris Oluoh

Education

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

Published

2 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

2 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

2 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