RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 1st – Friday 12th April, 2024.

1. The 186th Inaugural Lecture series of the University of Port Harcourt was delivered by Professor Godly Otto of the Department of Economics, Faculty of Social Sciences. The inaugural lecture titled: Engineering Economic Development in Nigeria: Efficacy of Public Spending, positied that amongst other things, the underdevelopment of Nigeria can be traced to bogus and wasteful public spendings.

2. The University of Port Harcourt in collaboration with the Rivers State Government and other stakeholders organized a week long birthday celebration in honour of Alabo Sir Professor SJS Cookey OFR, JP. The series of events to celebrate the nonagenarian who was the 2nd Vice-Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt included a Public Lecture/Book Presentation, an Evening of Drama, Festival of Voices, Legacy Lecture and a Thanksgiving Service. 

3. As we continue to celebrate remarkable feats by staff and students, we received with great excitement the announcement of Professor Daisy Onyige of the Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences as a member of the Commonwealth Advisory Board. The Board in communicating the nomination noted that amongst the over 400 applications into the Advisory Board, Professor Daisy Onyige a distinguished scholar was amongst the few selected into the Board.

4. The University thrives on knowledge sharing and we leveraged on the Upivotal Africa Conference 2024 held at the Harvard Graduate School of Education where selected universities across the world gathered to share ideas on new knowledge towards solving real-world challenges through collaborating with tertiary institutions and industry experts globally to deliver innovative solutions. We are happy to announce that our distinguished Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Georgewill was among the speakers in the event 

5. At the 51st Induction Ceremony of the College of Health Sciences, the oath of allegiance was administered by the Registrar of the Nigeria Medical and Dental Council on the newly graduating Medical and Dental Doctors. The University Management and the College of Health Sciences charged the new medical professionals to always uphold the ethos of the profession. 

6. In preparations to mark the World Laboratory Day 2024, we received the Director, Central Instrument Laboratory of the University and some members of staff at the Centre who were on ground to brief the University Management on their state of preparedness.

7. The Vice-Chancellor ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin) Prof. Clifford Ofurum received a delegation from the Compass Group led by Alexis Rockenbach on a courtesy visit to the University Management. On the visit was Mr. Emmanuel, a student of the University who emerged as a winner of the Training Programme organized by the Compass Group for students in the Faculty of Computing who accompanied the delegation. 

8. Also, we received a delegation from NNPC/SPDC JV with respect to the ARET Adams Professorial Chair in Petroleum Engineering. The courtesy visit afforded both organizations the opportunity to discuss on mutually beneficial interests.

9. We undertook a facility tour across the University to access the state of our learning and living facilities as staff and students resumed from the sallah holidays.

10. In recognition of the student community as critical stakeholders in the University, we held a meeting with the executive body of the student union to discuss on some issues. 

11. The Mercy Blessed Campus train touched down the University of Port Harcourt. The old Convocation Arena was filled to the brim as staff and students gathered in their numbers to receive the ministry of Minister Mercy Chinwo and her husband Pastor Blessed. 

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