THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 27th – Friday 31st May, 2024.

1. We took over the newly built faculty of Computing. The building is one of the Federal Government’s provision under the NEEDS Assessment program and we are grateful for this development.

2. Master Wisdom Ototakovie, a student of our A Level School – Ashgrove Academy presented to us, a beautiful portrait in recognition of our student friendly policies and kind gestures to the Ashgrove Academy. We received the gift with pleasure and commended the Management of the School for their good work.

3. We are glad to announce to us that the University of Port Harcourt is set to host the best E-Sports for the year 2024. In preparation for the event, we received the Chairman of the Sports Council of Nigeria, Prof. Ken Anugweje and his team and had discussions on modalities for E-Sports competition which is fast becoming popular in the 21st century. 

4. We appointed Prof. Ezaal Okowa as Head, Economics Department, Faculty of Social Sciences. It is worthy to note that Prof. Ezaal Okowa is the first female Professor of Economics in the University and first female  Head of Economics Department. We congratulate her and hopeful of a great impact in the Department. 

5. As the first semester examinations gradually come to an end, we went to round the examination halls to evaluate the conduct of the examination and we are satisfied with the level of compliance. We would like to use this medium to appreciate our amiable workforce for their efforts. 

6. We received Mrs. Darling G. Okwein, and her team from the Federal Inland Revenue Service who came to assess the level of compliance with financial regulations in the University and we are glad to report that the  University of Port Harcourt was found to be in acquiescence with financial regulations.  

7. We received Dr. Etinoza Bazuaye, acting Head, Department of Mathematics and members of his research team who came to inform us of progress made by the team in changing the narrative of mathematics as a subject that should be loved and not dreaded by students. We had fruitful discussions and wished them the best in their research area of interest.

8. We inspected and commended the Faculty of Management Sciences for the face-lift of the faculty building. The new look has made the building more attractive to both users and passers-by. 

9. The students in Goodluck Jonathan Hostel commended the Management of the University for coming to their aid, through periodic night patrol of the Vice-Chancellor and detailed security personnels. Information reaching us is that there have been no strange faces/movement around the windows and other hostel areas since the VC began his security patrol. 

10. The Management of the University in the company of Student Union, inspected some facilities in the University and thereafter, had fruitful discussions on some areas of concern. 

11. We participated in the maiden film practical and exhibitions of the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies and there we rendered the new National Anthem after it was signed into law by the National Assembly. The University of Port Harcourt is reportedly the first to have formally rendered the new Anthem after it was signed into law on 29th May, 2024.

12. The Nigeria Integrity Watch, conferred on us “Special Leadership Merit Award” in recognition of our professionalism and continued commitment to the growth of Education in Nigeria. 

13. In a collective celebration, we joined the Institute of International Trade and Development to celebrate the 2024 World Trade Day. The well organised event had resource persons and experts in attendance and we had a robust time on the subject: Trade, Development and Small & Medium Enterprises. 

14. We played host to the Close-Out Seminar of the Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF) which held on Thursday 30th May, 2024 to mark the robust impact made by PTDF in Nigeria Tertiary institutions from 2019-2024. Issues of gas leakage, its remedy, and other activities of the PTDF Professorial Chair were thoroughly discussed. We are grateful for such a research intervention.

15. We inaugurated Taskforce on underground assets of the University and charged them to ensure strict supervision of our optic fibres, cables and other underground assets to halt incessant damages and theft. 

16. In showcasing the score card of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s one year in office, the University of Port Harcourt was featured as one of the beneficiaries of Federal Government Intervention Programmes in the Education Sector. We commend and congratulate the President for the laudable achievements thus far as we look forward to more fruitful yields in the nation and particularly the Academia.

17. The University of Port Harcourt was chosen to plant a tree in commemoration of the 60th Anniversary of the Nigerian  Institute of Public Relations (NIPR). This was made known to us during the courtesy visit of Local Organizing Committee of the Institute, ably led by the Chairman, Rev, Francis Asuk. We had fruitful discussions with the NIPR and urged them to regulate the profession to curb quacks who claim to be Public Relations Practitioners. 

18. Similarly, we received the Chairman of the Nigeria Library Association, Rivers State Chapter, Dr. Chidiaka Nyemezu who was accompanied by the University Librarian. The visit was to intimate us of preparations for their National Conference scheduled to hold here in the University in July, 2024. We had fruitful discussions and promised unalloyed support for the event.

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