PRE-DEGREE/CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION/SCHOOL FEES
Ogbuku Pledges Unflinching Support For Uniport
- Details
- Published: 10 August 2023
Distinguished Alumnus and Managing Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Dr Samuel Ogbuku has promised to give unflinching loyalty and contribute towards the development of his alma mater, University of Port Harcourt.
Ogbuku made the pledge when the Governing Council, Management, Senate, staff, and students of the University gave him a rousing reception at the Governing Council Chamber on Monday, April 3, 2023.
Ogbuku, who said that NDDC had prioritised the construction of legacy and key projects that would open the region to a more sustainable growth, explained that he had to come to the University to get first-hand information on what the priorities of the University are. He disclosed that the Commission was open to partnership with the University and other critical stakeholders, including state governments in the development of the Niger Delta.
“I'm in NDDC to improve on the successes of my predecessors and correct their mistakes by making development more sustainable,” he explained, adding that public-private partnership approach would speed up development and significantly reduce financial and technical limitations.
Attributing his success in his political career to the quality education he received from the Department of Political and Administrative Studies in the University from Bachelors to Doctoral degrees, the honoured alumnus noted “I have so much attachment to this University, where I spent better part of my youthful days. My training here has instilled so much confidence in me.” He also promised to facilitate a meeting between the Director of Medical Department at NDDC and the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH), to see what the Commission can do for UPTH.
Earlier in his welcome address, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council, Senator Andrew Uchendu, recounted the conversations he had with Dr Ogbuku that culminated in the event.
In his address, Vice Chancellor, Professor Owunari Georgewill, said that UniPort, which ranked fourth best university in the country, had made significant progress in the areas of infrastructure and research and learning. He noted the university was positioning itself to be ranked among the best universities in Africa but can only realize this dream with the support of NDDC and other stakeholders.
“We want UniPort to be renowned for its teaching, creativity and innovation, to compete favourably with other universities globally. To achieve this, we intend to create equip our laboratories with modern technologies and build accommodation for staff,’ he said.
“We also want to rehabilitate internal roads on campus; construct a governing council auditorium and install solar powered street lights on campus among others,” he added. Georgewill said although NDDC had built some projects on campus in the past, more assistance was needed to move UniPort up in the university rankings on the continent. Also speaking, CMD of UPTH, Professor Henry Ugboma appealed to the NDDC to extend his magnanity to the Teaching Hospital. The NDDC boss was accompanied on the visit by NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, retired Maj.-Gen. Charles Airhiavbere and Executive Director, Projects, Charles Ogunmola, among other directors.
