TWO WEEKS RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place from Monday 10th  to Friday 21st March, 2025.

1. The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University Governing Council, Sen. Mao Ohuabunwa led other members of Council to pay a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister of FCT, His Excellency, Chief (Barr) E. N. Wike as part of engagements towards the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the University. We thanked the Minister for his numerous contributions to his alma mater.  The minister underscored his passion towards the development of the University as an alumnus and  pledged to build a Multimedia Communication Centre in the new convocation arena of the University and also promised that the University will be allocated a land in the FCT for the development of a benefitting Centre for leadership studies.

2. Professor Bridget O. Nwanze of the Department of Fine Arts and Design, Faculty of Humanities mounted the rostrum to present the 197th Inaugural Lecture of the University. The Inaugural Lecturer, a distinguished scholar and professor of Painting and African Art History delivered a sterling lecture on “Nigeria Art: A Silver Thread Through Ages” chronicling her contributions to African Art and the overall contributions of art to development. We commend the enormous contributions of Prof. Nwanze in improving the outlook of the University. 

3. The Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences hosted her 5th Seminar Series titled “My Etudes, My Motifs: The Unsung Symphonies of a Mycochemist”. The lecture was delivered by Professor Ozadheoghene Eriarie Afieroho, a natural products/phytomedicinal  chemistry and pharmaceutical analysis scholar. We commended the Dean and Faculty members for sustaining such public presentations.

4. At the National Consultative Stakeholders’ Summit 2025 organized by the Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, University of Port Harcourt in collaboration with the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), industry experts, policy analysts, academics and principal government actors gathered at the University of Port to brainstorm on blowouts, hydrocarbon spills and fire disaster emergencies in the Niger Delta: Mitigation and Strategies. We participated in the heart-warming event and commend the Director. Dr. Mbee Daniel for the initiative.

5. We received Professor Umar Pate, the Vice-Chancellor, Federal University Gombe, a consummate scholar and expert in communication and media studies who also doubles as the President Nigeria Society of Broadcasters. We commended Prof. Pate for facilitating several donations to the new Faculty of Communication and Media Studies, University of Port Harcourt through his extensive contacts in Europe and beyond. 

6. The Catholic Women Organization (CWO), St. Francis Catholic Parish, Rumuokwuta paid a courtesy visit on the University Management. The delegation commended our contributions to humanity notifying us of their plans to confer on us their prestigious Award of “Ambassador of Charity Extraordinaire” on the 30th of March, 2025.

7. In a world driven by the Internet of Things and in recognition of the need to pace-up with the ever evolving nature of technology, the University of Port Harcourt is set to commence a Masters degree in Embedded Systems and Artificial Intelligence. We received the accreditation team from the National Universities Commission who undertook a tour of facilities to access the readiness of the University to run a post-graduate programme in Embedded Systems and Artificial Intelligence. We commend the Dean, Faculty of Engineering and the Director CITE for providing the needed leadership.

8. We participated in the 2025 Anniversary Lecture of the Maurison Communication Limited, owners of Wish FM 99.5. The anniversary had renowned media practitioners like Tonnie Iredia and Professor Umar Pate who presented compelling lectures on the role of the 4th Estate of the realm in the quest for sustainable development.

9. We paid an unscheduled visit to classrooms to access the level of teaching and learning as we get set to commence the semester examinations.

10. Again, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the University of Port Harcourt Governing Council led other members of Council and members of the University  50th Anniversary Celebration Committee on a courtesy visit to the Executive Governor of Abia State, His Excellency, Dr. Alex Chioma Otti. The delegation extolled the developmental strides of the Governor who has proven to be a worthy alumnus of the University. The Governor assured members of the delegation of his support towards the successful hosting of the anniversary.

11. In celebration of the International Women’s Day 2025, we joined the Women in Energy, Oil and Gas to celebrate Women’s Day. The theme “Accelerate Action” was targeted towards mentorship and career pathways – nurturing the next generation. The conference had speakers drawn from the industry and academia with proven records of breaking limits.

12. We received donations from one of our strategic partners, Hon. Kingsley Chindah who was represented by one of his legislative aides. The digital infrastructure was donated and installed at the Donald Ekong Library

13. As we commence the University-Wide Semester Examinations, we took a tour across examination centres to assess the level of adherence by both staff and students to examination guidelines and we are happy with the high rate of compliance by both teaching and non-teaching staff. We also encouraged the students to approach their examinations with confidence as success is a product of hard-work. 

14. Also, we participated in the Part II MBBS examination in Pharmacology. We commended the external examiner for his continued support to the Department of Pharmacology.

15. The  Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Governing Council, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa chaired the 187th meeting of the University Governing Council. The Appointments and Promotions Committees,  Budget Monitoring Committee, Board of Survey, Appeals Committee, Campus Security Committee and Staff Disciplinary Committee had in their different meetings made recommendations to Council for consideration and approval. The full Council meeting commences today and continues next week Monday to consider recommendations from various council committees.

16. ⁠The council visited the University Hotel at the Centre of excellence and was quite impressed with the progress made so far as the University awaits the commencement of services to the public 

17. ⁠The council also visited the new convocation arena to in earnest commence the supply and installation of the multimedia facilities in the new convocation arena as well as other facilities maintenance in the arena 

18. ⁠We participated in the commissioning of the UPTH premium an innovative project by the CMD of Upth with private partners to bring premium healthcare services to people in the region 

19. ⁠The Council team led by the Prochancellor Distinguished Senator Mao Ohuanbunwo also visited the Minister for State Petroleum Hon Heineken Lokpobiri, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Tetfund His Excellency Alhaji Masari and the DG of NITDA all in Abuja to solicit for support for the development strides of the University of Port Harcourt 

We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the week under review.

Do have a great weekend.

Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill,
FRSB, FIIA, FWASOT, FCSI, FFs, FWASOP, FECRMI, FIARSA, FIHSC , DFCIHTMA.
Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt