PRE-DEGREE/CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION/SCHOOL FEES
Rivers CP Promises Security To UniPort, Environs
- Details
- Published: 12 July 2017
Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mr. Zaki Ahmed, has assured the Management of the University of Port Harcourt of adequate protection of lives and property in the area. The Commissioner also promised that the Police would intensify crime patrol in the immediate neighbourhood of the institution under his watch.
Speaking when the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ndowa Lale and Principal Officers paid him a courtesy visit at his Moscow Road Headquarters on Friday, June 23, 2017 Mr. Ahmed described security as everybody's business. He noted that crime did not always send signals before it occurred, especially in a densely populated environment such as a university.
“We are aware that universities face the challenges of cultism, drug abuse and prostitution, amongst other vices. The sad thing we have observed is that some students graduate from cult activities to become armed robbers and kidnappers. So, we need to be proactive to nip such activities in the bud before they blossom to pose a threat to society. To effectively fight criminal activities, the law enforcement agencies would have to form a synergy with individuals, corporate organisations and society at large. We need actionable intelligence reports to stop crime before it happens,” he said.
“We have an excellent relationship with the University of Port Harcourt and I was impressed by the courage and decisiveness of the Vice-Chancellor, who came across as someone determined to restore discipline in his Convocation address. We are encouraged by your commendation of our performance; but for the institutional challenges we face, the Police would have done a lot better. You can count on us to do our job in a professional manner. Let me assure you that we will be there anytime you call on us,” Ahmed assured the delegation.
Earlier in his address, Professor Lale had lauded the Rivers State Police Command for co-operating with Management of the University to checkmate criminal elements, pledging to support the Police to root them out.
“We came here to seek more help to safeguard our institution and to thank you for the leadership qualities you have demonstrated since your deployment to Rivers State. The Police had responded to our distress calls at very odd times in the past and we are confident that you would come to our aid in future. We see the Rivers State Police Command as a valued partner,” the Vice-Chancellor told his host. He assured the Commissioner that the University would consider candidates recommended for admission by the Police hierarchy, provided such persons possessed the minimum qualification.
“Running a university is one of the riskiest jobs in Nigeria today on account of what we have to pass through. The University is surrounded by local communities that make all manner of demands on us and we face many challenges on Campus. Every time we approach semester examinations, we face serious security problems because of the activities of non-academic students, who have little appetite for academic serious work. We rely partly on the security agencies to ensure that such trouble makers are not allowed to disrupt academic activities,” Professor Lale said.
The Vice-Chancellor was accompanied on the visit by the Deputy Vice-Chancellors (Administration and Academic) Professors Regina Ogali and Hakeem Fawehinmi. Others included the Registrar, who was represented by the Director of Personnel Affairs, Dr. Dakoru Charles-Granville, University Librarian, Dr. Susan Umeozor, Deputy Registrar (Information) Williams Wodi and Chief Security Officer, Lt. Col. Reginald Isiguzo.
The Commissioner of Police was joined by Deputy Commissioner of Police (Administration), Cyril Okoro, Assistant Commissioner (Operations), Stephen Hasso, Chief Superintendent of Police (Administration) James Ekpeta, Superintendent of Police, Afolayan Oladapo, second in command at the Special Investigations Bureau and Deputy Superintendent of Police, including Police Public Relations Officer, Omoni Nnamdi. A major highlight of the visit was the presentation of a souvenir to the Vice-Chancellor.
