THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 15th – Friday 19th September, 2025.

1. It was a moment of honour as we received the International Association of World Peace Advocates, participants of the United Nations Global Compact on a courtesy visit to the University to decorate the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill as a Peace Ambassador in recognition of his sterling leadership qualities. The leader of the delegation took the opportunity of the visit to intimate the University of their numerous peace advocacy programmes in the Nigeria.

2. The University of Port Harcourt played host to the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, His Excellency Ambassador Gautier Mignot as he presented a Public Lecture on “The European Union: A Reliable Partner for Nigeria” . He highlighted opportunities in trade and commerce, education, migration and mobility, digital transformation, research and exchange/linkage programmes between the European Union and Nigeria.

3. We received a high-powered delegation of Nigerian Universities Commission, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, the Ministry of Health, the Midwifery Council of Nigeria and an investigation team at the University as part of a fact finding mission to collate data on Nigeria’s healthcare workforce pre-service training assessment.

4. We participated in the graduation ceremony of the Young Officers of the Nigerian Navy Intelligence School who had undergone a rigorous training consisting of intense lectures, demonstrations, field operations, intelligence gathering and analysis. We charged the graduands to bring to bear the knowledge and skills acquired to enhance their professionalism. The Management of the School commended the University of Port Harcourt for being such a worthy partner.

5. A distinguished Alumnus, CP Ikioye Orutugu, a serving Commissioner of Police whose academic journey started at the University from pre-degree to a Ph.D, paid a visit to the University and pledged his support of the University by endowing a Chair to enhance research in security studies. He was thereafter presented with an Award by the Department of Educational Foundation.

6. Again, we had an interaction with the Vice-Chancellor of Wigwe University, Prof. Marwin Al-Akaidi as he paid a visit to the University to further strengthen the existing partnerships between both institutions.

7. The University of Port Harcourt was once again the host for the South-South Zonal hearing of NELFUND by the House of Representatives joint Committee. The team comprising members of the House of Representatives, consultants and their support staff interacted with Heads of Institutions and their representatives.

8. We received the Director of the University of Port Harcourt Business School and top management staff of the Student Affairs Department who presented awards of Honour in recognition of our invaluable support to the School and Department respectively.

9. We participated in the First Scientific Conference of the University of Port Harcourt School of Public Health on Translational Research for improved service delivery and National Development and commended the Director, Prof. Best Ordinoha and his team for the initiative.

10. We received a distinguished service Award from from Kenyon International West Africa Company in recognition of our outstanding contribution to academic excellence and visionary leadership.

11. The Centre for Logistics and Transport Studies (CELTRAS) held a one-day intensive workshop on strengthening research culture in a changing world. We declared the workshop open and commended the Director, Prof. Collins Wizor for the initiative and massive participation by post-graduate students of the Centre.

12. The Faculty of Social Sciences in conjunction with Mother Earth Foundation and 2025 Right Livelihood College hosted a lecture on Climate Justice in the Niger Delta through Forensic Investigation: Local Actions, Global Impact. The lecture had in attendance award winning environmental activist, Rev. Dr. Nnimo Bassey, the founder of HOMEF, members of the Faculty of Social Sciences and other environmental enthusiasts from the South-South region. We declared the lecture open and encouraged participants to draw insights from the presentation of Tobechukwu Onwukeme, a forensic architecture in solving environmental issues in the region.

13. Quest for surgery without pain; insights of an Anaesthetist was the title of the 202nd Inaugural lecture of the University masterfully presented by Prof. Longinus Ndubuisi Ebirim. The well attended lecture gave the audience a bird’s eye view of the working of an anaesthetist. We applauded the Inaugural Lecturer for his contribution to the profession and humanity.

14. We received an invitation from the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) to participate in a panel discussion on ‘Innovative Partnerships and Financing Models for education in Nigeria; exploring pathways for impacts at scale’ at the Nigeria Education Forum. NEF 2025. We confirmed our participation as we look forward to a fruitful engagement at the forum. 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