Education

Don Charges RSUST On Science, Technology Dev

Published

11 years ago

March 30, 2015

Group News Editor of The Tide Newspaper, Mr. Nelson Chukwudi (left), displaying a copy of the paper while explaining a point to pupils of Noble Giant International School, Igwuruta, during an excursion visit to The Tide office in Port Harcourt, last Thursday. Photo: Iboioye Diama

A university lecturer,
Professor Peter A. Okebukola, has charged the Rivers State University of Science and Technology to stand up and be counted in terms of its role in developing science and technology in Nigeria and the world at large.
Professor Okebukola gave the charge in a recent pre-27th convocation lecture of the university in Port Harcourt.
According to him, in the face of challenges to science, technology and innovation in Nigeria, RSUST, as a university established 35 years ago, stands a good chance to squeeze more mileage from science and technology in our post – 2015 development drive.’
How this can be achieved, he said, will greately involve the faculties of agriculture, engineering, science, through mathematics/computer science programes working with computer engineering department.
“The faculty of agriculture should work with the faculty of engineering to take leadership in new techniques in fish farming and in precision agriculture technologies for spatial and temporal management of irrigation, application of nutrients and other inputs for better crop yield.
“Within the next few years, it should provide a prototype of farm machinery that is guided by global positioning system satellites. It should also set up a model scheme for the nation to engage Agricultural Information System (AIS) and wireless technology to enhance effective mapping of crops, livestock and fish production,” he said.
Okebukola, who is currently the chairman of council at Crawford University, Igbesa, Ogun State, explained that the two faculties alongside the faculty of environmental sciences could ensure sustainable agricultural production.
He said they should be a leader in the intensive use of satellite imagery to predict weather and or climate changes that effect agricultural production, promote greater use of highly productive and disease resistant crops, livestock, poultry and fish streams, breeds and species; and promote the use of green technology to ensure sustainable agricultural production, safe and clean environment.
The faculty of science, he continued, should through its mathematical /computer science programs, working with computer engineering department of the faculty of engineering “initiate the development of applications for use on mobile devices for delivering quality education, healthcare and for promoting better ethical values among citizenry”.
While noting that the faculty of engineering should be the arrow head of new technologies for the agriculture, education, health, defence, housing, works and power sectors of the economy, he explained that new technologies mean “contemporary next-generation technologies that suit the African context.”
He also said the faculty of technical and science education “should address issues relating to poverty alleviation and work with relevant faculties, especially management sciences in developing prototypes of new businesses for the teeming proportion of unemployed youths.”

Stories by Sogbeba Dokubo

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