Education
NYSC DG Charges Corps Members on Core Values, Cultural Integration, Self-Reliance
The Director General of the National Youth Service Corps, Brigadier General Olakunle Nafiu, has charged Corps Members of the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One to uphold the vision, mission, and core values of the Scheme as they embark on the journey of national service.
He gave this charge during his working visit to the NYSC Permanent Orientation Camp, Iseyin, Oyo State.
Addressing the Corps Members, the Director General reaffirmed the objectives of the NYSC, stressing discipline, patriotism, national unity, and selfless service as pillars of the Scheme.
He described the service year as a defining phase for character formation and nation-building, noting that the conduct of Corps Members, both within and outside the camp, must consistently reflect the ideals of the NYSC.
Brig Gen O.O. Nafiu placed strong emphasis on cultural integration, urging Corps Members to respect the customs, traditions, and taboos of their host communities. He encouraged them to deliberately learn, appreciate, and adapt to the cultures of their host organizations and communities, stressing that mutual respect is fundamental to peaceful coexistence and sustainable national cohesion.
The NYSC helmsman further highlighted the importance of the Skills Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (SAED) programme, describing the in-camp training as a rare and cost-free opportunity for self-development. He explained that access to loans from NYSC-partnered financial institutions is dependent on commitment and seriousness, encouraging Corps Members to consolidate their skills through post-camp training and emerge as job creators rather than job seekers.
Earlier, the Oyo State Coordinator of the NYSC welcomed the Director General and briefed him on activities at the camp. He commended the Corps Members for their discipline, orderly conduct, and patriotic zeal, while assuring them of adequate welfare and security throughout the orientation exercise and service year.
In a warm and memorable moment, the Director General celebrated Corps Members who marked their birthdays on the day of the visit, as well as the first Corps Member to register at the camp for the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One, Ngeri Belema Tosin (OY/26A/0001), adding a personal and humane touch to the historic visit.
The visit culminated in colourful cultural performances by Corps Members, featuring Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba dances, vividly showcasing Nigeria’s unity in diversity.
To further commemorate the occasion, the Director General presented two fat cows to the 2026 Batch ‘A’ Stream One Corps Members, drawing loud applause and reaffirming the NYSC’s commitment to youth welfare, national unity, and collective spirit.
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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
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
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