The following events took place from Tuesday 22nd April to Friday 2nd May, 2025

1. As part of measures geared towards promoting mutual understanding and cooperation between China-Nigeria and in alignment with the outcomes of the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the University of Port Harcourt played host to the 2025 Symposium on the Belt and Road Initiative and the Niger Delta under the theme “China-Nigeria Collaboration in the Niger Delta”. The symposium featured robust discussions on collaboration between the two institutions to promote dialogue and deepen China and Nigeria relationship.In her goodwill message, the Chinese Consul General in Lagos urged participants to make maximum use of the opportunity to open the economies of the global south. We commend the Director of Confucius Centre, Professor Kalu Wosu and his team for the well-organized symposium.

2. We participated in the Opening Ceremony of the 27th Annual Conference of the Association of Nigeria Universities Chaplains held at Our Saviours Chapel, University of Port Harcourt. The Conference had University-based Chaplains from across the country in attendance. We commended the Chaplains for the role they play in providing spiritual support to their respective institutions and for choosing the University of Port Harcourt as host.

3. The Student Industrial Work Scheme (SIWES) established in 1973 provides tertiary students the opportunity to acquire industry- based experience before their graduation thereby preparing them for life after graduation. As part of preparatory activities for the Scheme, we organized an orientation exercise where relevant stakeholders including the Area Manager of ITF and his team outlined the procedures required of all students within the 24weeks training. The Provost, College of Health Sciences who represented the Vice-Chancellor charged all students to be good ambassadors of the University in their respective areas of posting.

4. We received the NUC resource verification team for the commencement of the Bachelor of Science in Insurance. The new programme when approved will be carved out of the Department of Finance and Banking and will be domiciled in the Faculty of Management Sciences. In undertaking the verification exercise the team evaluated both human and material resources available for the take-off of the programme. We extended our warmth regards through the team to the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Professor Ribadu.

5. In the same vein, we received the NUC resource verification team to validate our request for the commencement of the Agricultural Science of Education in the Faculty of Education. We commended the visiting team and Faculty members for their efficiency.

6. We held a Special Convocation Ceremony in honour of our departed colleague, Professor Francis Chukwuma Anacletus who passed on at the age of 60years. The solemn event had colleagues from within and outside the academia pay glowing tributes to the renowned fallen academic. We encouraged the family to find solace in his remarkable achievement and enduring legacies.

7. Celebrating our remarkable achievements, we received the cheering news of the excellent performance of our maiden law graduates who bagged first class degrees at the just concluded Law School examination. This feat is considered remarkable as the Faculty of Law, University of Port Harcourt only recently graduated her first set of law students. We extend our profound appreciation to the members of staff at the Faculty of Law led by the Dean for such incredible achievements.

8. The Governing Council serves as the apex decision making body of the University and is composed by internal and external members of Council headed by the Pro-Chancellor. As the tenure of internal members of Council both from the Congregation and Senate expires, elections were conducted by Senate and Congregation respectively where Profs. U.D Chima, Kelechi Okonta, Chukwudi Onyeaso and Olufemi Adesope were elected to represent Senate and Prof. Glory Amadi and Dr. Mrs. Caro Nnabuo were elected to represent Congregation in Council. We commended members of both Congregation and Senate for a seamless process.

9. As part of preparations for the reunion of the U94 medical graduates, we received a delegation from the set who intimated the University Management of activities leading to the re-union. The visit afforded us time to chit chat about their individual and collective achievements after graduation. We wished them the very best and commended their give back initiative to their alma mater.

10. We are happy to report that the 2025 Unified Tertiary Examination conducted by the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) has been successfully concluded in Rivers State. We carried out supervisory functions across selected centres across the state and we were impressed with the level of organization by all concerned.

11. We celebrated the International Procurement Day 2025 with the hosting of a one-day symposium on International Procurement Best Practices. The event had in attendance the Director General, Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Abraham Adedokun who presented the keynote address, Directors of procurement departments from across tertiary universities in the South-South, consultants and contractors amongst others.

12. Stable power supply remains a major challenge for most Nigerian universities, a situation which will soon be extinct at the University of Port Harcourt. The construction of the solar farm, an initiative of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR administration through the Rural Electrification Agency will at completion provide uninterrupted power supply to the entire University Community, the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital and host communities. We look forward to the commissioning of the project as soon as possible.

13. We received an award of recognition from the exclusive magazine Abuja for our numerous contributions to Pharmacology and overall university administration.

14. The Institute of Niger Delta Studies held orientation exercise for newly admitted post-graduate students. The orientation exercise exposed the new students to the basic rules and regulations governing their studentship. We charged them to strive for excellence.

15. Ashgrove attains exceptional status as JUPEB rates the Academy high. As part of her yearly benchmark for rating excellence based on some measurable indices, JUPEB recently approved the upgrading of Ashgrove Academy to the Diamond status. This feat comes as a result of our proactive leadership and we are grateful to God for this achievement.We appreciate the roles you all played at your various designated units during the weeks 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