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Tag: UNIPORT

  • VC’s suspension may disrupt exams at UNIPORT

    With tomorrow’s (Monday’s) expiration of the five-day ultimatum given to the Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) in Rivers State by the university’s chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), the ongoing examinations are under threat.

    UNIPORT’s ASUU, which has Dr. Austen Sado as Chairperson, declared that the June 6 “purported” suspension of the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ndowa Lale, was illegal and did not follow due process, insisting that it must be rescinded on or before June 27, to maintain industrial peace and harmony or be ready for prolonged strike.

    The lecturers also rejected the appointment of Prof. Anthony Ibe, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, as the Acting Vice-Chancellor of UNIPORT.

    Investigation in Port Harcourt yesterday by our reporter revealed that if Lale’s suspension was not reversed tomorrow, the members of UNIPORT’s ASUU would hold emergency congress, where the decision to proceed on indefinite strike would be taken.

    With UNIPORT’s revised academic calendar for 2015/2016 session, as approved at the 422nd meeting (extra-ordinary) of the Senate of the higher institution, full-time students arrived on campus on June 19, while the first semester examinations would be between June 20 and July 16 (4 weeks), with the students to proceed on break between July 18 and July 23 and the second semester would commence on July 24, with the second semester lectures to be between July 25 and October 14 (12 weeks).

    The federal university (UNIPORT) was shut in the evening of April 11 this year, after the students’ violent protest earlier in the day, over the management’s “no school fees, no examinations” policy, led to the death of a final year student in the Faculty of Management Sciences, Peter Ofurum, but the institution was reopened on June 19, while the first semester examinations started the next day.

    The vice-chancellor, who hails from Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers state, was suspended by the Governing Council of the varsity for alleged incompetence and dereliction of duties, especially for being unable to prevent the protest and death of the student.

    Lale, who succeeded barely a year ago, Prof. Joseph Ajienka, a renowned Petroleum Engineer, who hails from Okrika in Rivers state, proceeded to the Federal High Court (FHC), Port Harcourt, where he challenged his suspension, with the court asking the parties to report to FHC later this month for out-of-court settlement.

    ASUU of UNIPORT also declared that the Barr. Okechukwu Ajunwa-led committee set up by the Governing Council to investigate the students’ protest and issues related to it, amounted to a usurpation of the powers of the university’s Senate.

    UNIPORT’s ASUU said: “The ‘suspension’ of Prof. Lale did not follow the process/procedure for the removal of a Vice-Chancellor from office, as stated in the Universities (Miscellaneous Provisions) Amendment Act 2003, as amended. In any case of a vacancy in the office of the Vice-Chancellor, the council shall appoint an Acting Vice-Chancellor, on the recommendation of the Senate (Section 3: 13).

    “The purported suspension was meted out without due process, investigation and establishment of culpability of Prof. Lale. There was no known petition against him, no query, no report or recommendation by the council or any committee properly constituted for the purpose of investigating the alleged misconduct of Prof. Lale.”

    The academic staff of the university stated that should the governing council, after due process, find Lale or any other officer culpable of any misdemeanour, it would support any punitive measure, as provided in the statute and regulations guiding UNIPORT, while asking the members of the governing council and all parties in the conflict to allow reason to prevail.

  • UNIPORT 2016 WAUG: VC inaugurates LOC

    The Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Professor Ndowa Lale has inaugurated the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of the 2016 edition of the West Africa University Games (WAUG), which will be hosterd in November by the institution.

    WAUG, the Olympics Games of West Africa students is the biggest and most competitive games among West African students.

    Professor Lale said hosting the best students’athletes from West Africa demands meticulous planning and painstaking execution, “to pull off a memorable competition that would further confirm our (University of Port Harcourt) standing as the undisputed masters of sports on the West African coast. We do not just intend to win, it is important that we put up a gold standard that future hosts would strive to meet”.

    The Chairman of the LOC is Deputy Vice Chancellor Professor Anthony Ibe, Vice-Chairman Professor Okey Onuchukwu, Mrs Dorcas Otto, the institution registrar and Mr. Vitalis Aliezi bursar are also members of the LOC.

    The Rivers State Government representative on the LOC is Mr. Douglas Dube.

    The Vice Chancellor Professor Lale is the head of finance and fund rising sub-committee; he will be assisted by Mrs. Ann Nwagwu, a banker and Olukayode Thomas, the games marketing and promotion consultant.

    Mrs. Matilda Nnodim is the head of Ceremony and Protocols, Dr. Otu Ekpeyong, head of accommodation, Dr. Williams Wodi head of media, publicity, and documentation, Lt.Col. Reginald Isiguzo (rtd), Security, Dr. Chinwe Ezirim medical, Professor Osi Akpoghome Transport, Professor Matthew Wegwu, Team Uniport Preparation , Professor Regina Ogali, and WAUG Forum subcommittee is head by Dr. Athan Amasiatu.

  • Kogbara out, UNIPORT Vc’s son in

    Kogbara out, UNIPORT Vc’s son in

    The latest victims of kidnapping in Rivers State are Vanguard renowned columnist Donu Kogbara and 25-year-old Ejira, son of the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Ndowa Lale. Both victims are Ogoni.

    Kogbara is an indigene of Bodo in Gokana LGA, while Ejira hails from Ebubu-Eleme in Eleme Local Government Area.

    The columnist was kidnapped on August 30 and spent almost two weeks in the den of the criminals in the creeks of the Niger Delta.

    The easy-going Kogbara decided to visit her mother, Mrs. Ann Kogbara, at her Nkpogu-Port Harcourt residence, but became target of what she later called “highly educated” kidnappers.

    In the morning of Sunday, August 30, what might be on the mind of the celebrated columnist would be to prepare for church service to praise God for His faithfulness, but the unwanted visitors prevented her from spending quality time in the presence of her maker.

    The gunmen, who wore police uniform, seized Kogbara in the morning of Sunday, August 30, when they stormed her Nkpogu-Port Harcourt residence in a CRV car, amid gunshots. The gunmen blindfolded her and quickly disappeared with the columnist, whose whereabouts remained unknown for almost two weeks.

    The columnist was eventually released at 10 p.m. on Friday, September 11, but returned to her Nkpogu-Port Harcourt residence around 2 a.m. on Saturday, September 12. Rivers State Commissioner of Police Musa Kimo and some senior police officers visited her at 4:30 a.m. on September 12 at her residence and promised to apprehend and prosecute the kidnappers, to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded people.

    Kogbara, in a brief interaction with reporters at her Port Harcourt residence, was very angry with Niger Delta youths, who she said kidnapped her, in spite of fighting their cause.

    The columnist revealed that the kidnappers told her that the Niger Delta youths had been abandoned and they decided to abduct her to take their share of the loot by Nigerian leaders. Unknown to the gunmen, she was not part of the looters of the treasury.

    She said: “I was dumped in the middle of the creeks, leading to nowhere around 10 p.m. on Friday (September 11). They forced an innocent fisherman to take me to Borikiri-Port Harcourt.

    “I am very happy to say that I have been released. I am alive, that is all that matters despite all the things that were lost in the robbery (cash and jewelleries) that preceded the abduction. Uncle Sam Amuka, the publisher (of Vanguard) was actually the first person to call, when I was abducted.

    “Before we left the house, they took my money and jewelleries. Though, the money was not much. I was taken to the creeks, middle of nowhere. They actually told me I was in Cameroon, but I have been told that probably was not the case.

    “Their meal, it was not bad. Considering that they were young men. They cooked rather well, but the conditions were not very sanitary. To be fair to them, when I complained of not having my blood level medication, they actually went out and bought some for me. It was much more complex than that.”

    The Movement for the Survival of the Ogoni People (MOSOP) described the release of the columnist unhurt and unconditionally, as a welcome development

    MOSOP, through the Media/Public Affairs Advisor to its President, Bari-ara Kpalap, declared that Kogbara did not deserve the inhuman treatment from the kidnappers, who blindfolded her and moved her to the creeks of Niger Delta, kept her in solitary confinement and later handed her over to a fisherman on the high sea, who moved her in a canoe to the waterfront of Borikiri, Port Harcourt.

    The umbrella organisation of Ogoni people happily thanked the “Most High God” for His divine intervention, that led to the release of the columnist, while lauding the press, security agencies and other well-meaning citizens, whose prayers and relentless efforts helped in the columnist regaining freedom.

    MOSOP said: “In the first place, Donu Kogbara did not deserve the treatment that was meted out to her, as she did nothing wrong to warrant the denial of her constitutional rights to freedom. In civilised climes, people with her endowment and humility, willingly and relentlessly deplored to the benefit of society are celebrated, emulated and rewarded and not humiliated.

    “It is in this light that we call on all men of goodwill to rise against the outlaws in our midst, who would not want to do anything good to earn our commendation, but to inflict pains us all

    “The spate of kidnapping and other forms of criminality has imposed a saddening web of insecurity in Rivers State and occasioned divestments, which has no doubt affected the socio-economic wellbeing of the state.”

    The umbrella organisation of Ogoni people also called on the security outfits in Rivers state to improve on their security approach, to ensure adequate protection of the people.

    MOSOP pointed out that the strategic position of Rivers state to the economic well-being of the Niger Delta region and Nigeria would be undermined, if insecurity in the state was not appropriately addressed.

    The governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Rivers State, Dr. Dakuku Adol Peterside and Vanguard’s publisher,  Sam Amuka, who recently turned 80, were also at the residence of Kogbara, to join her in thanking God for her safe release.

    Peterside called on security agencies to be more decisive in their approach to all forms of threat to the nation’s peaceful co-existence.

    The dust had hardly settled on Kogbara’s ordeal when the son of the VC of UNIPORT was kidnapped on September 14 in Rivers State by six hooded men, who wielded AK-47 rifles and machetes, with everybody in sight robbed.

    Ejira was immediately moved to an unknown location. No demand for ransom had been made as at press time.

    The kidnap of the VC’s son came barely 48 hours after Kogbara’s release. Ejira, a graduate of UNIPORT, as at the time of the kidnap, was living in his father’s house at their hometown in Ebubu-Eleme-Ogoni. Ejira is Managing Director of Ejiis Fish Farms, which he runs in the house.  He studied Geography and Environmental Management at UNIPORT

    Eleme, near Port Harcourt, hosts two refineries, Indorama Petrochemical Company, many oil and gas servicing companies, corporate organisations and business establishments. The town is on the East-West Road, on the way to Akwa Ibom State, especially Eket, Ikot-Abasi and Uyo, the state capital.

    The VC’s son was kidnapped around 8 p.m. on Monday, by youths who strolled into Lale’s compound, without a car or motorcycle, indicating that they were from the neighbourhood. They went away with Ejira’s mobile phones, his laptop computer and an undisclosed sum of money. The kidnappers also robbed Ejira’s younger brother of a mobile phone.

    When the criminals stormed the VC’s residence, they first met some tenants, who they robbed of valuables and asked them to lead the kidnappers at gunpoint, to the apartment of the VC’s son.

    On sighting Ejira, the heartless kidnappers gave him machete cuts all over his body, before pushing him out and moving him to an unknown destination.

    Lale, who became UNIPORT’s VC a little over two months ago and lives at the VC’s Lodge on the university’s campus, also pleaded with the kidnappers to immediately release his “struggling” son unconditionally, in order to enable him to continue to contribute to societal development, through his fish farm project.

    The VC, who spoke through UNIPORT’s Deputy Registrar, Information, Dr. Williams Wodi, who is also a lecturer in the university’s Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies, stated that he was not a millionaire or a contractor and would not be able to raise any ransom that the kidnappers might demand.

    Lale also called on security, law enforcement agencies and their operatives, especially policemen, officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) and military personnel, to ensure quick release of his son unhurt, while expressing optimism that they would be alive to their responsibilities.

    Rivers Deputy Police Spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the kidnap of the VC’s son, said no arrest had been made, as at press time, but police were on the trail of the criminals.

    Iringe-Koko assured that the victim would soon be released unhurt and unconditionally, without the payment of any ransom, declaring that the kidnappers would also be arrested and prosecuted, to serve as a deterrent to other criminally-minded persons, but called on the members of the public to assist the command with timely and useful information, while assuring that the informants’ identities would be adequately protected.

     

  • UNIPORT’s new VC’s son abducted

    •Kidnappers use AK-47 rifles, machetes
    •No ransom demanded

    Ejira, the 25-year-old son of the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Ndowa Lale, has been kidnapped in Rivers State.

    His abductors were reportedly armed with AK-47 rifles and machetes.

    He was said to have been taken to an unknown destination.

    It was learnt that the abductors had not demanded for ransom at press time last night.

    The kidnap of the vice chancellor’s son came barely 48 hours after the release of Vanguard columnist, Donu Kogbara, who spent almost two weeks in her abductors’ hideout in the creeks.

    Kogbara, also an Ogoni like Ejira, was kidnapped on August 30 and released at 10pm on September 11.

    Ejira, a graduate of UNIPORT, lives in his father’s house in their hometown in Ebubu-Eleme-Ogoni, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, where he runs his “small” fish farm.

    Eleme, near Port Harcourt, hosts two refineries, Indorama Petrochemical Company, several oil and gas servicing companies, corporate organisations and business establishments.

    The town is on the East-West Road, on the way to Akwa Ibom State, especially Eket, Ikot-Abasi and Uyo, the state capital.

    It was learnt that the VC’s son was kidnapped at 8pm on Monday, by some youths, who strolled into Lale’s compound, without coming with a car or motorcycle, indicating that they were from the neighbourhood.

    They were said to have taken away Ejira’s mobile phones, laptop and an undisclosed sum of money.

    The kidnappers also robbed Ejira’s younger brother, who visited him, of his mobile phone.

    It was learnt that when the hoodlums stormed the VC’s home, they first met a tenant, who they robbed of valuables and asked to lead them, at gunpoint, to Ejira’s apartment.

    The abductors were said to have cut Ejira all over the body with their machetes before pushing him out of the house.

    They reportedly took him to an unknown destination without treating his injuries.

    Prof Lale became UNIPORT’s VC two months ago and lives at his lodge on campus.

    He urged the kidnappers to release his “struggling” son unconditionally to enable him continue his normal life and contribution to the development of the community.

    The VC spoke through UNIPORT’s Deputy Registrar (Information), Dr. Williams Wodi, who is also a lecturer in the Department of Linguistics and Communication Studies.

    Prof lale said he was not a millionaire or a contractor, adding that he could not raise any ransom the kidnappers might demand.

    The vice chancellor urged security agencies to ensure quick release of his son.

    Police spokesperson Grace Iringe-Koko, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), who confirmed the incident, said no arrest had been made as at press time last night.

    She said the police were on the trail of the abductors.

  • Don calls for improved funding for medical training

    Don calls for improved funding for medical training

    The Provost of College of Health Sciences of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Christy Mato, has called for improved funding for medical education.

    She identified lack of proper funding as the major challenge confronting the college at the federal university, stressing that funding was essential, in order to key into the latest medical  developments and  practice worldwide.

    Mato made the statement Thursday at the UNIPORT’s college, while inaugurating projects embarked upon by members of the 2005 Medicine final year class, to mark their ten years after graduation.

    The provost said: “You know we have academic and non academic staff, I thank God we now have the Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND) to help with development. We are very particular about it because things are changing all over the world.

    “We want to key into developments worldwide and train ourselves and eventually become a centre of excellence for training. So that people from other countries can come here (UNIPORT) to train. So, we need funding.

    “We are in temporary quarters. This is not our permanent place. Our permanent offices are being built across the fence in the hospital. Ultimately, we will move there and be in a better accommodation, but while we are in this temporary accommodation, we want it to be functional.”

    Mato also described as laudable, the decision of the alumni to give back to their alma mater, while admonishing others to emulate them.

    The Chairman of the Local Organising, Dr. Leeleebari Sibor, while earlier speaking on behalf of the 2005 UNIPORT Medicine final year class, said the decision to carry out renovation on a part of  the college and the replacement of some infrastructure  was  in view of their desire to contribute to the growth of the  college.

    Sibor said: “By the time we got back to the community, we got back to the society after our training, we realised that we are actually the best among all medical doctors that were trained in the nation.

    “After much pondering, we said we must go back and thank the people that made us what we are today.”

    The alumni also had free lecture with undergraduate medical students of the college, as part of the celebration.

    “We also commend him on his marching order to the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) for a comprehensive downward review of salaries and allowances of elected and appointed public officers.”

  • UNIPORT students on rampage over colleague’s death 

    UNIPORT students on rampage over colleague’s death 

    There was pandemonium Monday at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) over the mysterious death of Miss Kelechi Precious, a 200 level student of Theatre Art and Film Study who was said to have collapsed at her hostel bathroom and died after the University Teaching Hospital rejected her for lack of space.

    Angered by the inability of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH) to save the victim’s life instead of rejecting her on the excuse of lack of space, the students led by the Student Union Government (SUG) of the University went into protest, locking all the entrance gates to the school.

    They also blocked the popular East-West road, including Ada-George Road and UNIPORT Aluu road leading to a serious traffic jam. Some of the school properties were also vandalized by the angry protesters who were chanting war song accusing UPTH of being responsible for the death of the victim.

    As at the time of filing this report, the management of UPTH has started discharging patients at the hospital following the protest at the hospital leading to breakdown of law and order.

    Some of the students who spoke to The Nation including SUG President accused the management of UPTH of killing their colleague for not giving her preference as student of the university in spite the lack of space complained about.

    UNIPORT SUG President, Comrade Chuku Endwell said, the management of UPTH has failed the students, adding that for testing the anger of the students and for showing insensitivity over their life of one of them, the school at the moment will remain under lock.

    Chuku said, “this is not college of Education, it is not a polytechnic or a secondary school, it is the famous university in the black Africa. The students were the reason for the establishment of UPTH, I don’t know why a student will be taking to the hospital and he or she would be rejected.

    “This shows that our lives are no longer safe, by the Grace of God, SUG has summoned a meeting of all those concern and before the end of today we will reach a compromise especially the safety of our lives as students. If there is any one that should be giving a priority in the UPTH it is the students of UNIPORT.”

    Narrating how the victim died, her closet roommate Miss Kainti Dauebimoere said; “She is in the same department with me and a roommate; we slept on the same bed on Sunday morning. We both woke up almost the same time, she went in to have her bath but later I heard a voice screaming.

    “Then, I ran into the bathroom to know what was wrong with her but I saw her on the floor behaving like an asthmatic patient. Then, I ran back to the room to call other roommates. That was how we got a car around 5:45 am to take her to UPTH at accident and emergency ward. But the doctors who were there said there was no bed space. We pleaded that we are going to use the car as her bed, but they refused.

    “When we discovered that the UPTH was not able to assist we took her to fountain hospital at Ozuoba, the doctor there told us that we should look for her relative. He then directed us to take her back to the UPTH but we told him that we are just coming from there. We were again directed to Ebonyi Hospital where the doctor confirmed that there was no live in her.

    “Then we took her to Military hospital, when we got there they said she died three hours ago, but they advice us to make an entry to any police station. After making an entry at Choba Police station, we took her corpse to UPTH mortuary.  The management of UPTH who said there was no space now accepted her corpse at their mortuary.”

    Responding, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital Prof. Aaron Ajule said there was no space when the victim was brought to the hospital, noting that the hospital cannot reject an outsider not to talk of a student of the university.

    “It was not an issue of reject; we cannot reject any body outside the campus not to talk of student of the university. When the hospital is filled it is filled, we cannot ask somebody to go down to accept another. We sympathised with the victim’s family   and the University over what happened.

    “The information I am giving you now is still going to be investigated and confirmed, we have setup a panel to investigate the issue. They came here and we told them there was no space at the time they came and when the lady died they said it was UPTH that killed her. We have always told the people that UPTH is over subscribed.”

  • SPE, Uniport seal deal on energy centre

    A fresh capacity development programme for petroleum engineering students and professionals in Nigeria midwifed between Society of Petroleum Engineers (SPE) Nigeria Council  and University of Port Harcourt, River State would soon commence.

    The initiative, according to SPE Nigeria, became necessary to advance research, development and innovation within the sector. It is also aimed at ensuring that the  nation fully taps the sectors’ potentials.

    Towards this end, SPE Nigeria Council is building ‘Energy Centre’ at the University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State as a one stop state-of-the-art digital edifice showcasing digital models of tools and equipment used in the energy industry and historical  evolution of petroleum in Nigeria as an industry and a profession.

    Unfolding the features of the SPE Energy Centre during the ground breaking ceremony, which held on the premises of University of Port Harcourt, the Council Chairman of SPE Nigeria Mr. Emeka Ene said the centre was set up as a meeting point for industry, academia and other stakeholders to share technical ideas and enhanced skills for improved productivity.

  • UK body ranks UniPort first in Nigeria

    UK body ranks UniPort first in Nigeria

    Times Higher Education World University Rankings (THEWUR) in the United Kingdom (UK) has ranked the University of Port Harcourt (UniPort), Rivers State, among top 300 universities in the world.

    The THEWUR latest rankings, which were released on July 9, also named UniPort the sixth in Africa and the best in Nigeria.

    The ranking body based its classifications on academic productivity of the workers in each of the universities it examined.

    Academic productivity, otherwise called research productivity or citation index, is the number of research works published by each worker in the universities and the number of times the publications were referred to and cited by other academics throughout the world.

    Specifically, UniPort is rated the best, occupying 276th position in the list of 300 universities in the world.

    From 2009 to 2013, the ranking body said the university had a publication output of 573.55, scoring 88.92 per cent.

    Following the development, the university has become the first in Nigeria to and the world.

    No other Nigerian university had hitherto been ranked among the best 1,000 in the world.

    Using workers’ productivity parameter, the University of Cape Town was named the first in Africa and South Africa and 124th in the world. It is followed by the University of the Witwatersrand, the second in Africa and South Africa and within 251 to 275 in the world.

    The Makerere University came third in Africa and first in Uganda. It is within 251 to 275 in the world.

    The Stellenbosch University was fourth in Africa and third in South Africa. It is within 276 and 300 in the world.

    The University of KwaZulu-Natal occupies the fifth position in Africa and is forth in South Africa. It is within 276 and 300 in the world before UniPort.

    A further breakdown shows that of the top 15 universities in Africa, eight are from South Africa, following overwhelming preponderance of the academic productivity of South African universities.

    Only one university each made the list in Uganda, Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Egypt. They are: Makerere University, University of Port Harcourt, University of Nairobi, University of Ghana and Suez Canal University.

    In Morocco, two universities – the University of Marrakech Cadi Ayyad and University of Hassan II Casablanca – made the top 15 of African universities’ list.

    South Africa is leading significantly in Africa, just as the United States (U.S) is leading in the world.

    UniPort’s Acting Director of Academic Planning, Research and Control Unit, Dr. Peter James Kpolovie, confirmed the report of the ranking.

    He said the university invested enormously in research, in line with its vision “to be ranked among the best universities in Africa, renowned for teaching, research, creativity and innovation”.

    Kpolovie said: “Academic workers of universities in Nigeria should wake up from the wasted decades of mediocrity, despondency, lethargy and slothfulness…

    “University education is the major agency for personal and national development. It is expected to be the main driver in the realisation of the national goals of Nigeria through research and development.

    “In the past, no Nigerian university has qualified to make the top best 3000 universities as ranked by Academic Ranking of World Universities, Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) World University Rankings, and Times Higher Education World University Rankings.

    “Even the very best university in Nigeria, Obafemi Awolowo University, as ranked by the liberal Ranking Web of Universities in 2013, did not qualify to be among the top 1100 best universities in the world.

    “The almighty University of Ibadan (UI) was ranked 2,109; the much talked about American University in Nigeria bagged 6,367 position; the unique University of Port Harcourt was ranked 7,326. As many as 101 of the 125 universities in Nigeria then did not qualify to fall within 10,000 universities in the world. Even in Africa alone, Nigerian universities trailed far behind universities in some other countries.”

    He added: “To positively change the tide, University of Port Harcourt decided to invest enormously in research in line with its vision that the University ‘aims to be ranked amongst the best universities in Africa, renowned for its teaching, research, creativity and innovation.’

    “The University of Port Harcourt has since bent relentlessly on conducting quality research so that it could break out of the era that Nigerian universities bagged ludicrous ranks in comparison with other universities in the world.

    “The huge investment in research produced impressive results as the University have contributed tremendously in reshaping the world through excellent research engagement, teaching and community development in addition to improved rankings.

    “Between February 2013 and 2015, University of Port Harcourt’s rank in the world improved from 7326 to 4590; from 125 to 93 in Africa; and from 16 to 12 in Nigeria as ranked by the Ranking Web of Universities (Webometric).

    “In February 2015, 4ICU (4International Colleges and Universities) ranked University of Port Harcourt to be 85 in Africa and 9 in Nigeria.

    “The success story of University of Port Harcourt went on and on that by the second quarter of 2015, Journals Consortium ranked the University to be 36 in Africa and 7 in Nigeria on the basis of research publications and citations from 2010 to 2014. Bravo to University of Port Harcourt for flying the Nigerian Flag to such a great height.”

     

     

  • UNIPORT honours Benson Idonije

    UNIPORT honours Benson Idonije

    ‘Late last year, Idonije, who was Fela Ransome-Kuti’s colleague at the then Nigeria Broadcasting Service, and subsequently his (Fela’s) first manager, released the pre-edition of his monumental memoir, DIS FELA SEF: The Untold Legends of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The book, which he started writing six years ago as a recollection of his exclusive moments with the Afrobeat legend, is expected to be released later this year’

    Renowned broadcaster and music Critic, Benson Idonije, has been honoured with a fellowship of the Adam Fiberesima School of Music and Conservatory (AFSM) of the University of Port Harcourt. The award for the septuagenarian broadcaster, media trainer and avid commentator on Music, was contained in a February 19 letter signed by Joseph Ajienka of the School.

    The letter stated that the recognition was based on Idonije’s “commitment to the development of classical and indigenous music not only in Nigeria but throughout the West African region”.  The honour, according to the letter, entitles Idonije to “use the insignia FAFSM (or Fellow, AFSM).

    Born in 1936 in Otuo near Auchi in Edo State, where he also started elementary school, Benson Idonije studied communication engineering at Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. He joined the service of the Nigeria Broadcasting Corporation (later Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN) in 1957 as Engineering Assistant but moved to mainstream broadcasting in 1960, when he became a producer and presenter of such famous programmes as the The Big Beat and Stereo Jazz Club.

    After retirement from the FRCN in 1992, Benjay as he is fondly called, began contributing critiques, opinions and commentaries to many major Arts-related journals in Nigeria and abroad. In1996 he was formally invited by The Guardian (Nigeria) to write for the newspaper; and he maintained three columns every week – “Evergreen” (Wednesdays), “Sound and Screen” (Fridays), and “All that Jazz” (Sundays). He is perhaps the only columnist in any Nigerian newspaper with such frequency and resourcefulness.

    The well-researched columns are individually widely acclaimed, attracting feedbacks — mostly commendations — from all over the world. The thousands of articles are currently being collated into volumes that will be published soon. In past two years, Benjay has however concentrated his weekly writing only on his most-favoured subject “Jazz”, still under the title “All That Jazz” every Sunday for The Guardian.

    Late last year, Idonije, who was Fela Ransome-Kuti’s colleague at the then Nigeria Broadcasting Service, and subsequently his (Fela’s) first manager, released the pre-edition of his monumental memoir, DIS FELA SEF: The Untold Legends of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. The book, which he started writing six years ago as a recollection of his exclusive moments with the Afrobeat legend, is expected to be released later this year.

    Aside writing so frequently in the newspapers and other international music journals, Idonije also maintains a busy schedule as a Trainer of broadcasters and serving as a resource persons to many broadcast organisations and some music institutions in the country.

    Idonije is also the grandfather of the popular hiphop act, BURNA BOY.

    The University of Port Harcourt honours letter, enjoined Idonije to do his “best in propagating and immortalizing the musical legacies of our heroes past, whose ideals, talents, philosophies and structural standardization of African music have remained a pilgrimage to many enthusiasts”.

     

     

  • UNIPORT next on Fayrouz L’Original auditions

    UNIPORT next on Fayrouz L’Original auditions

    Known for its history as a fashion centre in Nigeria, a sense of belonging will engulf Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital once again, as organisers of creative talent hunt show, Fayrouz L’Original, make their entry into the University of Port Harcourt this weekend.

    Still at the audition stage, the Port Harcourt edition is coming after last weekend’s highly patronised event at the University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

    Billed to hold this Saturday, at the International Student Centre Conference Hall, the audition will have talented students of UNIPORT and other cities within the South Region, showcasing their artistic talents in the areas of fashion designing, modelling, photography and make-up artistry.

    The event will be anchored by fashion experts such as ace photographer, Kelechi Amadi-Obi, National Retail Artiste House of Tara Rhema Akabuogu and renowned designers, Mai Atafo and Kunbi Oyelese of April by Kunbi who make up the jury.

    Organisers say the winning team will be chosen to represent the region and contest with four other teams at the semi-final stage of the competition, holding at the Obudu Cattle ranch, Calabar, in June.

    The Port Harcourt audition will be followed by another on May 30, at the University of Nigeria, Enugu, before rounding off at the University of Lagos on Friday, June 5 and Saturday, June 6.

    In its second season, the show, tagged the Fayrouz L’Original Expression is sponsored by Fayrouz, and aims to reward young creative talents.