VICE-CHANCELLOR’S REPORT AND APPRECIATION TO THE UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY

The University of Port Harcourt took the center stage in both print and electronic media as she marked her golden jubilee celebration and 35th Convocation which held   from Monday, 21st – Sunday, 27th July, 2025.

Initially founded in 1975 as a college and later as a University in 1977, the now famous Unique Uniport stands tall in national and continental rankings in terms of academic excellence and industry impact. The University has produced worthy alumnus with trailblazing records at the national and international arena which has in no small measure impacted the fortunes of Nigeria.

It was in recognition of her laudable achievements that the University rolled out drums in celebration of her 50th year.

Day 1

It was a carnival-like sights and sounds on Monday, 21st July, 2025 as members of the University, Management, staff, students and friends of the University adorned in matching outfits kickstarted the week with a well attended rally. Members of the University community in defiance of the weather walked in excitement and celebration from Delta Campus and berthed at the Senate building of the University where the University Management held a world press conference to unveil the details of the 50th anniversary celebration and 35th Convocation.

The 9th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill informed the press that several activities such as research exhibitions, Alumni Homecoming, Cultural displays by host communities, First Class Dinner, Convocation Command Performance, Pro-Chancellor’s Dinner and Award to some members of staff, Convocation and Anniversary lectures, Award of First and Postgraduate degrees and conferment of Honorary Doctorate Awards were part of activities lined up in celebration of the milestone.

He added that a total number of fourteen thousand, eight hundred and sixty-one (14, 861) graduands were set for convocation out of which Nine Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighty-Eight were for the award of First Degree while Two Thousand and Eight (2,008) were for the Post Graduate Diploma, Two Thousand, One Hundred and Thirty-One (2,131) were for Masters Degrees and Nine Hundred and Thirty-Four (934) were for Doctor of Philosophy.

As attention shifted to the CBN Centre of Excellence, venue for the 3-days research exhibitions, flashes of the University history were replayed as documentary; chronicling the steady rise of the university was aired to the admiration of the university community whilst respective departments/institutes/centres showcased their research outputs and patents.

Day 2

The second day had the national executives of the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association led by Senator Darlington Nwokocha visit the university to interact with the student community and University Management to further deepen the consciousness of Alumni as key development partner. As a way of giving back, the Alumni body is set to commence strategic intervention projects in the university.

Day 3

Events of Wednesday commenced with the tree planting exercise by the Best Graduating Student – an exercise that symbolizes a commitment to a sustainable future. Cultural display by host communities showcasing a rich depth of culture and tradition as the watching audience were thrilled to dance and musical displays by respective host communities, in this, our faculties were not left out as staff and students of the Faculty of Social Sciences embarked on a cultural parade.

The Crab was the next port of call as members of the university community were entertained by a masterclass command performance by the Theatre Arts Department of the University thereafter the Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers had hosted the first-class graduands to a dinner in celebration of their rare academic achievements.

Day 4

In appreciating the remarkable impact of staff, awards were presented to some members of staff across College/faculties/units/centres/institutes for their exceptional service and dedication to duty. The Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Moa Ohuabunwa in  handshake with recipients presented the Award to the awardees and charged  them to remain worthy role models.

Long service and meritorious Awards were given to well deserving retired and serving members of Staff for their dedication to building a legacy as the University of Port Harcourt.

Day 5

With the Convocation Ceremony for the Award of Masters, Postgraduate Diploma and First Degrees respectively the new and old Convocation Arenas were filled to the brim as graduands, parents and friends of the University gathered to celebrate the harvest of academic excellence. The University was honoured to have the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri deliver a thought provoking Convocation Lecture and pledged the support of the Bayelsa State Government to construct staff quarters in the University. The Provost and deans of faculties presented their respective graduands to the Vice-Chancellor who then admitted them as graduates of the Unique University of Port Harcourt.

Day 6

The official commissioning of the New Convocation Arena (now Nyesom Wike Convocation Arena) by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State signalled the commencement of the Award of Doctorate Degrees to 934 graduands and the conferment of Honoris Causa Degrees to four eminent Nigerians. The Vice-Chancellor and other Principal Officers were on ground to receive visiting Vice-Chancellors, Registrars, captains of industries, stakeholders and other friends of the University.

The Chairman, TETFund, His Excellency Aminu Bello Masari delivered the 50th Anniversary Lecture of the University and thereafter, the  Dean, School of Graduate Studies presented the graduands who were then admitted as Doctor of Philosophy holders of the University of Port Harcourt.

The Vice-Chancellor flanked by the Registrar on the powers of the University Senate decorated the following distinguished Nigerians with the prestigious  Honoris Causa. The awardees included the First Lady, Her Excellency, Senator Oluremi Tinubu CON conferred with the Doctor of Science in Science and Technology

The Hon. Minister of the FCT and Former Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Chief Barr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike CON conferred with Doctor of Science in Political Science

The Chairman TETFUND and former Speaker, House of Representatives, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Aminu Bello Masari conferred with Doctor of Science in Public Administration

and the Governor of Adamawa State, His Excellency Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri conferred with Doctor of Science in Public Administration.

In response, the First Lady ably represented by one of her aides pledged her renewed commitment to the advancement of education in Nigeria and more importantly the role of the girl child as an agent of development. As a way of encouraging academic excellence the First Lady donate the sum of 50 Million to all the Best Graduating female students.

On his part, the Minister of FCT and a worthy Alumni of the University promised to always give back to his alma mater instantly pledging to rally his friends to build a more befitting and modern Senate Building for the University while also endowing a Chair in Law in the name of his wife and another in Political Science in his name.

Day 7

The celebration was climaxed with a Thanksgiving Service which held at the New Convocation Arena where Apostle Eugene Ogu enjoined all members of the University community to discharge their responsibilities with the fear of God as destinies of generations are tied to the decisions or indecisions of academics and university administrator. Other clergies present at the thanksgiving, offered prayers for the University, host communities, State and our dear nation – Nigeria.

Finally, we wish to use this medium to sincerely appreciate the Governing Council, Senate, Management, staff, students,  Alumni, strategic partners/stakeholders for their support and participation in the just concluded events. We remain partners in progress.

Thank you.

Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill KSC, FRSB, FWASOT, FECRMI, FFS, FIIA, FWASOP, FIARSA, FIHSC, FFA, DFCIHTMA

Vice-Chancellor