Education

Teacher Wins EkoExcel Recognition Award

Published

4 years ago

July 25, 2022

A 46-year-old primary one teacher at Army Barracks Primary School, Ikeja, Lagos, Mrs Oluwasanjo Elizabeth Adewunmi, has emerged winner of the second Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board’s (LASUBEB) EKOEXCEL Excellence Recognition Scheme, tagged, ‘Meet EKOEXCEL’.
It is a quarterly reward initiative that showcases pupil and teacher excellence using the pupil’s grade levels and teacher performances.
Adewunmi, who joined the teaching service as an Assistant Teacher in 2006, was adjudged winner, based on her outstanding performance, particularly, her devotion to teaching and improving her pupils.
She has proven herself to be a model teacher, who goes the extra mile for her pupils. During her free time, Adewunmi reviews topics taught in every subject, the learning objectives and pupils’ ability to understand them.
Adewunmi, also has a unique teaching method. Most times, she dances while teaching to make the learning atmosphere more enjoyable. When her pupils actively participate, she ensures the class cheer top performers.
She encourages the pupils that are falling behind to work harder, emphasising that hard work pays, adding that She prepares for the next day by previewing the next day’s schedule on her tablet.
She explained that she began her primary school education at Rabiatu Thompson Primary School, Shitta, Surulere where she proceeded to Community High School, Adeniran Ogunsanya and obtained a Diploma in Educational Management from the University of Ibadan.
Adewunmi was deployed to Lagos State Model Nursery and Primary School, Ikeja GRA as an assistant teacher for two years before gaining a Bachelor of Art in Education from the University of Lagos.
She received EKOEXCEL training in late 2020 and was transferred to her current school, Army Barracks Primary School, implementing the transformational initiative.
Commenting on her emergence, she described it as innovative and beneficial, saying: “The programme is the best solution the Lagos State government could have ever introduced into primary education. It maximises time and helps to make good use of a school day with the pupils in the teaching and learning. It also enhances teaching and learning. It is very detailed and encourages the pupils to be hardworking. The fact that pupils know how to spell and pronounce numerous words in primary one is a wonderful and amazing experience.”
She acknowledged her school’s assigned supervisor, Mr Ezekiel, for ensuring that teachers were on track and celebrated her fellow teachers.
Since its launch in 2019 by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the programme has positively impacted pupils and teachers in the state’s public schools.

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