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  • Wike promises new Senate Building for UNIPORT

    Wike promises new Senate Building for UNIPORT

    Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, says he had mobilised support from his network of friends to help fund the construction of a befitting Senate Building for the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

    Wike disclosed this in Port Harcourt on Saturday during the university’s 35th Combined Convocation and 50th Anniversary celebration.

    The minister, who was among four recipients of honorary doctorate degrees, also announced plans to endow a Chair in Family and Child’s Law, in the Faculty of Law, in honour of his wife.

    He also pledged to endow another Chair in Leadership and Public Administration in the Department of Political Science in his own honour.

    Wike disclosed that the university had recently approached him, as FCT Minister, to request a land in Abuja for the establishment of a Centre for Leadership and Democratic Studies.

    “I took up the request with Mr President, who immediately granted approval.

    “As I speak to you now, the Certificate of Occupancy for the land is ready for presentation to the university authorities,” he said.

    Reflecting on his time at UNIPORT, Wike said that the university had instilled a strong academic foundation in him and had continued to promote values rooted in research, truth, and outspokenness.

    He urged fellow alumni and Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu’s efforts to improve the socio-economic well-being of the country, noting the president’s commitment to education through initiatives like the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.

    “In no distant time, no willing child will be denied access to quality education due to economic hardship,” he said.

    The university officially named its new Convocation Arena during the event.

    It was inaugurated by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas.

    Wike was conferred with an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in Political Science (D.Sc. Honoris Causa), for his contributions to the university’s development.

    Other honorary degree recipients included First Lady, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, and Aminu Masari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

    Wike reels out contributions to devt of UNIPORT, state university

    Meanwhile, Wike reeled out his contributions to the development of University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Rivers State University and the legal profession.

    Wike outlined the contributions in Port Harcourt on Saturday, during UNIPORT’s 35th Combined Convocation and 50th Anniversary.

    He said that UNIPORT availed him the rich and concrete intellectual foundation upon which his socio-economic and political ascendancy have been fittingly predicated.

    He added that he was educated both in character and learning at the university and called on all alumni to give back to the university as a mark of gratitude.

    “This also explains why I freely give to this institution whenever I have had the opportunity to do so.

    “Throughout my duty tours, I have paid back to this great university sacrificially and to the best of my ability.

    “I have done so, not out of convenience but as a deliberate pursuit of commitment to gratitude for a university that gave me so much,” he added.

    Wike said that as Minister of State, Education, he established the Faculty of Law for UNIPORT and further built a befitting building for the faculty.

    He said that he equally built a separate building for the Faculty of Social Science which had been sharing the same building with the Faculty of Humanities.

    Speaking on the convocation arena, Wike said that management of the university approached him while he was the governor of Rivers that: “the institution does not have a befitting convocation arena.”

    He added that he built the arena to international standard, adding that similar gesture was extended to the Rivers State University, Port Harcourt where he studied law.

    He said that in the same tradition of giving back, he built the Post-Graduate Hostel of the university when he was the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area.

    “As Minister of State, Education, I raised N500 million through the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, for the development of the university.

    “As governor, I completed the construction of infrastructural facilities for Faculties of Environmental and Management Sciences.

    “I also completed the Faculty of Law building; built the College of Medical/Mechanical Sciences building, new Senate building, and National Union of Rivers State Students’ building,” he said.

    The minister added that he equally built Etche, Emuoha, and Ahoada Campuses, as well as built and furnished facilities of the Basic Clinical and Clinical Sciences building of the university.

    Also built were the university’s clinical students’ hostel buildings and Pathology building in the university’s Teaching Hospital.

    Wike said that as a lawyer, he equally contributed immensely to the legal profession, first by building the Rivers branch of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA).

    “I was also the only governor that contributed to the building of the National Secretariat of the NBA and to this end, Rivers was allotted a floor to name after its citizens.

    “In Rivers, I introduced a robust judicial welfare scheme by insisting that every judge must own a house upon retirement.

    “The houses were built with modern facilities and fully furnished with accompanying Certificates of Occupancy.

    “All judges also had brand new Sport Utility Vehicles to ease their mobility, and enhance their comfort and service delivery,” he said.

    He added that he also constructed the Body of Benchers building in Abuja and the body named a hall after Rivers.

    He said that with the approval of the Director-General of Law School, he built hostels and a grand auditorium for the Law School in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

    “We also built a new Law School campus in Port-Harcourt that is far better than the headquarters in Abuja.

    “Currently, as Minister of the FCT, I am building an annex for the Body of Benchers and almost completed construction of 10 bungalows for the Nigeria Law School in Bwari, FCT, and almost completed a new Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

    “In addition, we are building 10 residential houses for the Judges of Court of Appeal, 10 for the Federal High Court and 20 for the FCT High Court,” the minister said.

    He explained that he took time to enumerate his contributions to the two universities and the legal profession not for self-aggrandisement, but to demonstrate the need to give back to society.

    “Those who come after us must be encouraged and inspired by our robust examples to keep this tradition of service and development of our alma mater,” he said.

    The minister pointed out that the university has produced prominent leaders in all works of life, asking if they have given back to the university.

    According to him, the university must demand this answer from all its alumni, since it provided the foundation upon which all of them soared to prominence.

  • UNIPORT names convocation arena after Wike

    UNIPORT names convocation arena after Wike

    The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers has named its Convocation Arena after the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr Nyesom Wike.

    The arena, built by Wike in 2023 by Wike, was officially inaugurated on Saturday by the acting Governor of Rivers, Ibok Ibas.

    The inauguration was part of activities of the university’s 35 Combined Convocation and 50th Anniversary.

    The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, said that the first convocation of the university in 1982, was held in the old arena.

    “We are proud today, to celebrate the 35th convocation in our 50th year of existence in this fantastic edifice, built two years ago by Rivers Government during Wike’s administration,” he said.

    Also, Ibas commended the contribution of Wike to the development of the institution.

    According to him, the conception and construction of the arena under Wike’s stewardship, reflects his enduring legacy in infrastructural and educational development.

    “The ultra-modern convocation arena, now proudly inaugurated, is a testament to what is possible when vision is aligned with commitment. Your Excellency, we honour your foresight.

    “This arena, both in design and purpose, is not only a venue for convocation, it is also a sanctuary where dreams are validated; where academic journeys culminate in triumphs; and where future leaders will be publicly honoured.

    “It will involve policy dialogues, innovation exhibitions and ceremonies that shaped the character and capacities of generations to come,” he said.

    He said that the infatuation of the edifice was symbolic, stressing that it represents continuity and a bridge between legacy of excellence and the promise of tomorrow.

    Responding, Wike, who was equally conferred with an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Political Science (D.Sc Honoris Causa), thanked the university for finding him Worthy of such exalted honour.

    “I must place on record that my wife and entire family hold this honour as pre-eminent and totally gratifying.

    “Our gratitude knows no bounds,” he said.

    The minister said that UNIPORT availed him the rich and concrete intellectual foundation upon which his socio-economic and political ascendancy have been fittingly predicated.

    “I was educated both in character and learning.

    “It is in the light of the foregoing that I have always strongly believed that every alumnus should give back to the university as a mark of pure gratitude.

    “This also explains why I freely give to this institution whenever I have had the opportunity to do so,” he said.

    Other recipients of the honorary doctorate degrees are First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa and Aminu Masari, Chairman, Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

  • 25-year-old Nigerian student sets lover on fire over pregnancy dispute

    25-year-old Nigerian student sets lover on fire over pregnancy dispute

    The Rivers State Police Command has arrested one Cynthia Chukwunda, a 25-year-old female student of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) for allegedly setting her lover ablaze following a dispute over her pregnancy.

    TheNewsGuru reports that the incident occurred on Sunday, at her residence in the Choba area of Port Harcourt.

    Eyewitnesses disclosed that the victim, identified as Sunny had engaged in a heated argument with Cynthia over her pregnancy, when she left, returned with the fuel and set him on fire.

    “She stepped out and returned with petrol. While the man was asleep, she poured it on him and the bed and set him ablaze,” a source said.

    Following the incident, Cynthia and the victim sustained severe burns and were taken to the hospital for treatment. However, Sunny was said to have succumbed to his injuries.

    Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the State Police Command, Grace Iringe-Koko,  said the student, who also suffered some burns from the incidnet, is receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital under the watch of the police, saying the command has launched an investigation into the incident.

    ‎The statement reads, “The Rivers State Police Command is aware of and deeply concerned about a circulating social media report depicting a fire incident that occurred at No. 11B Okoro Street, Choba, Port Harcourt.

    ‎”According to the report, one Cynthia Chukwundah, a 300-level female undergraduate student of the University of Port Harcourt, allegedly set her boyfriend, one Saint Sunny Amadi, a 32-year-old male from the Elibrada Community in Emohua LGA, ablaze in a room, resulting in severe injuries during the inferno.

    “‎He was rushed to the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) for medical treatment.

    “‎Upon receiving the report at about 1112 hours, Police detectives from the Choba Division promptly visited the scene and the victim at the hospital, who was in critical condition. Unfortunately, the victim later succumbed to injuries and died while on admission.”

    ‎She added, “The Police have located Cynthia, who is currently receiving medical treatment at a hospital due to injuries she also sustained during the incident. She is also heavily pregnant with the deceased’s child.

    ‎“Due to her critical condition, she is unable to provide a detailed account of the incident, but will do so when her condition is stable.

    ‎“The probable cause of the fire incident is yet to be ascertained, and a thorough investigation has been launched to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.”

  • NUC approves 21 academic programmes for UNIPORT

    NUC approves 21 academic programmes for UNIPORT

    The National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved 21 academic programmes for the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) following a rigorous accreditation exercise conducted across universities nationwide.

    The Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, announced this development to journalists in Port Harcourt on Wednesday.

    He stated that the NUC’s approval marked a significance milestone for both the management and students of the university.

    “Out of the 22 academic programmes presented to the NUC for evaluation, 21 received full accreditation status, while one was granted interim accreditation.

    “This reflects a 100 per cent success rate in UNIPORT’s October/November 2024 accreditation exercise conducted by the NUC,” he explained.

    Georgewill, who did not mention the newly accredited courses, attributed the achievement to the dedication, resilience, and unwavering commitment of the university’s management to delivering quality education.

    He commended members of staff and other stakeholders for their commitment towards the realisation of the institution’s academic objectives.

    “This 100 per cent success is a testament to the tireless efforts of every member of the UNIPORT community.

    “The positive outcome is the result of strategic planning, teamwork, and a collective vision for academic excellence,” he added.

    The vice chancellor further noted that this accomplishment reinforced the university’s standing as one of Nigeria’s leading institutions for advanced learning and research.

  • We plan to construct hostels, roads in UNIPORT – NDDC

    We plan to construct hostels, roads in UNIPORT – NDDC

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has announced plans to construct additional hostels, rehabilitate roads, and enhance power supply in the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT).

    NDDC’s Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, disclosed this during a visit to the commission’s headquarters in Port Harcourt on Thursday by a delegation from the UNIPORT’s Governing Council.

    Ogbuku stated that the NDDC had committed to upgrading facilities at UNIPORT as part of efforts to foster partnership with educational institutions across the Niger Delta.

    According to him, the implementation of additional projects at the university forms part of a broader strategy to improve education standards in the region.

    “Aside from the construction of new hostel blocks and installation of a 300 KVA solar inverter system, the NDDC will also facilitate more projects in the university.

    “The commission will also deploy its engineers to assess the condition of UNIPORT’s roads and hostels for potential rehabilitation,” he said.

    Ogbuku noted that upon completion, the projects would add to various initiatives previously undertaken by the commission at the university.

    “These and other projects reflect our commitment to actualising President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda in the Niger Delta region,” he added.

    He reaffirmed the NDDC’s dedication to fostering development and strengthening partnerships across the region.

    Earlier, Sen. Mao Ohuanbunwa, Chairman of UNIPORT’s Governing Council, who led the delegation commended the current leadership of the NDDC for its achievements in accelerating development in the Niger Delta.

    He highlighted the university’s infrastructural challenges, noting that it lacked adequate facilities to accommodate its growing student population, and appealed for the NDDC’s support in addressing the shortfall.

    “Currently, UNIPORT has a total student population of about 50,000, while its hostel accommodation capacity can only cater for 5,000 students.

    “We therefore urge the NDDC to assist in the construction of additional hostels, improve transportation facilities, and facilitate the acquisition of gas turbines to enhance power supply for our students,” Ohuanbunwa pleaded.

    The Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, commended NDDC for its impactful projects across the Niger Delta and extended an invitation to the commission to participate in the institution’s forthcoming 50th anniversary celebrations.

  • UNIPORT reacts to report of cult clash, killing on campus

    UNIPORT reacts to report of cult clash, killing on campus

    The management of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), says there was no inter gang clash that resulted in the death of any student recently.

    The university Spokesman, Dr Sam Kpenu, said this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Monday.

    Kpenu was reacting to an online video which claimed that some students of the university recently died during an inter gang clash.

    The spokesman who said that the said incident was a fight between students, expressed worries that it was misreported.

    “We are aware of some inaccurate media reports suggesting that some students died during an incident on campus.

    “Contrary to these claims, no student was killed or injured, it was a mere fight, it wasn’t a cult clash.

    “The university management, the security unit, and the police were swift enough to intervene.

    “The students involved in the fight have been apprehended, and are currently being detained and interrogated by the police,” he said.

    He said it was unfair that the incident was misinterpreted by some sections of the media.

    Kpenu said that the university was strongly committed to the highest standards of professionalism in handling security matters.

    “The university has zero tolerance for cultism, bullying, and any other violent or disruptive behaviour on campus

    “The university is calm, staff and students are going about their normal work and academic activities,” he said.

  • Uniport denies student’s death rumours, confirms arrest of cultists

    Uniport denies student’s death rumours, confirms arrest of cultists

    The University of Port Harcourt (UniPort) has dismissed the reports that a student of the school was killed on campus, following an incident of a face-off amongst cultist in the school.

    The Head of Information, Publications, and Public Relations, Sam Kpenu in a statement on Friday noted that fight between students was promptly addressed by the university management, security unit, and anti-cultism unit of the Nigeria Police.

    Kpenu, in a press statement said the students have been apprehended and currently facing interrogation at the Nigeria Police Force headquarters in Port Harcourt.

    He added that the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill was on the scene, ensuring the swift resolution of the matter and taking necessary actions to restore normalcy.

    He emphasized that no student was killed or injured in the incident, which has been exaggerated by online reports.

    He reaffirmed the Varsity’s commitment to maintaining professionalism, safeguarding students, and upholding a zero-tolerance policy towards cultism, bullying, and disruptive behaviour.

    “The University of Port Harcourt remains committed to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and safeguarding our students.

    “We reiterate our zero-tolerance policy towards cultism, bullying, and any form of disruptive social behaviour on our campus,” he said.

    He further stated that the campus had been calm, with staff and students going about their duties and classes as usual.

    He said: “The University appreciates the support of its community and media partners in maintaining a safe and conducive learning environment.

    “For further information, please contact the Public Relations Unit of the University of Port Harcourt.”

  • It Is entirely false – UNIPORT denies charging ₦649,400 clearance fees for final-year students

    It Is entirely false – UNIPORT denies charging ₦649,400 clearance fees for final-year students

    The University of Port Harcourt has denied an online report alleging that it charges a clearance fee of ₦649,400 for final-year students.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports that the Head of Information, Publications, and Public Relations  Sam Kpenu on Wednesday clarified the media report in a statement titled “Rebuttal to False Report on Clearance Fees for Final-Year Students.”

    Kpenu who described the report as false and misleading, stated that UNIPORT is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible higher education as well as charging some of the lowest school fees among federal universities in the country.

    He further stressed that the university typically extends deadlines for fee payments to give students ample time to organise their finances.

    The statement reads, “The attention of the authorities of the University of Port Harcourt has been drawn to an online report by Sahara Reporters alleging that final-year students at the University of Port Harcourt are required to pay N649,400 as clearance fees.

    “We wish to state categorically that the information is entirely false.

    “UNIPORT is dedicated to providing affordable and accessible higher education. Our institution charges some of the lowest school fees compared to other federal universities in Nigeria. We also offer various scholarships to support students who encounter financial difficulties and cannot cover their school charges.

    “Moreover, we provide extended deadlines for fee payments to give students adequate time to arrange their finances.
    “We encourage students and the public to rely only on official communications from the University of Port Harcourt for accurate information regarding fees and financial matters.

    “The information presented by Sahara Reporters is entirely false and misleading. There is no such thing as medical clearance or admissibility fees as alleged in the fake report. We urge the media to always verify their stories before publication.”

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  • UNIPORT to adopt Harvard, MIT’s research model – Pro-Chancellor

    UNIPORT to adopt Harvard, MIT’s research model – Pro-Chancellor

    The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has announced plans to enhance its research and development strategy in order to compete globally with Ivy League universities.

    Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa, the new Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of UNIPORT, spoke during his visit to the institution on Monday in Port Harcourt.

    He said that modelling after Ivy League schools would foster significant growth for the university, positioning it among the top learning institutions in Africa.

    “Renewed and concerted efforts must be made to address challenges being faced by UNIPORT.

    “We can draw inspiration from world-class institutions like the Harvard, University of Liverpool, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Oxford and Cambridge.

    “These universities have set benchmark in research management, intellectual property policies, and quality assurance that we can strive to emulate.’’

    Ohuabunwa emphasised that UNIPORT planned to leverage its research centres, including the Oilfield Chemical Research Centre and the Public Health and Toxicological Research Centre (ACE-PUTOR), to achieve the goal.

    “These celebrated African centres of excellence enhance our academic standing and research capabilities, fostering international collaboration and addressing critical societal issues.

    “Commercialising our research, intellectual property will help us to promote the university academically and financially.

    “Efforts will be made to improve our governance structure, quality of teaching and learning, research, transparent financial management, professional and infrastructural development.’’

    The pro-chancellor said that the university would implement a comprehensive four-year plan to improve its operations by using performance targets and measurable indicators to track its progress.

    According to him, strategic partnerships with stakeholders like the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) will be pursued to enhance the university’s reputation as a premier learning centre.

    “Revenue generation and diversification of funding sources are vital for our financial sustainability.

    “We must explore cost-effective and efficient ways to generate revenue while seeking external funding opportunities to support our initiatives.

    “UNIPORT is among the highly sought-after university today, but we want to raise the bar to becoming the number ranked in Nigeria, Africa, and one of the best globally,” he said.

    Ohuabunwa warned against unethical conducts by both staff and students at the university, promising to implement UNIPORT’s sexual harassment policy.

    Earlier, the Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Prof. Owunari Georgewill, pledged the university’s full support for the new governing board’s vision of academic excellence and institutional advancement.

    He expressed delight that the board’s vision and guidance would drive UNIPORT towards its goals of becoming a unique university recognised for academic excellence.

    “We will persist in our pursuit of academic distinction and institutional advancement, upholding integrity, innovation, inclusivity and the values that have brought us to where we are today,” he said.

  • UNIPORT dismisses video of lecturer molesting student

    UNIPORT dismisses video of lecturer molesting student

    The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has described a viral video alleging that a lecturer in the university molested a female student as untrue.

    The university spokesman, Dr Sam Kpenu, who said this in a statement in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, also described the allegation as ‘false and unfounded’

    ”We are aware of a false allegation circulating online that a UNIPORT lecturer was seen in a viral video molesting a female student in his office.

    ”This allegation is untrue and baseless as there has been no reported incident of such nature involving any lecturer in the university.

    ”After a thorough investigation, the university confirms that the incident depicted in the viral video did not occur at UNIPORT or involve any of our staff member,” he said.

    Kpenu stated that the institution upholds the highest standard of integrity, ethics and professionalism.

    ”UNIPORT does not condone any form of misconduct, especially those that impact the safety and well-being of our students.

    ”We remain dedicated to providing a safe and conducive learning environment for all members of our academic community.

    ”We appeal to the public and the media to be cautious and avoid spreading false information that can damage the reputation of individuals and institutions,” he said.

    It would be recalled that a video circulated online on Monday showed a man molesting a young female in an office environment.