THIS WEEK IN RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 8th -12th December, 2025

1. It was a joyful occasion for the children of the University of Port Harcourt community as we hosted the final Vice-Chancellor’s Children Christmas Party of our administration. The event delighted the children with fun games, dance contests, and gifts. The Vice-Chancellor encouraged them to always stay obedient to their parents and guardians, while also extending warm wishes for a merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year

2. We are glad to report that the Nigeria-China Industry-Education Consortium has named a member of staff of our University as the Regional Coordinator of the Window to China for the Niger Delta region. Mr. Chinaemerem Ugoaru, a lecturer at the Confucius Centre, University of Port Harcourt, will be taking on this role
3. The University of Port Harcourt Women Association kicks off activities to mark the 2025 UPWA week celebration. The event which commenced with a health walk/talk had the women dressed in their colorful orange top and black jeans walk through the Delta campus to the Senate building while vibing to entertaining music. The University Management commended the President of UPWA, Prof. Mrs. Udeme Owunari Georgewill, and her Exco for their resilience and contributions to the upliftment of the University. Other scheduled events include cultural day performance, Vice-Chancellor Adult Party amongst others.
4. The University of Port Harcourt Management has launched the Renewed Hope Campus Transport Scheme, introduced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the donation of solar-powered tricycles to improve transportation for our students. We appreciate the Executive Secretary of TETFund, Arch. Sonny Echono, for promptly implementing this initiative.
5. The Governing Council, Management Staff, students, and stakeholders of the University community gathered at the New Convocation Arena for a moment of appreciation to the ever gracious God for His unending mercy and protection in the year 2025.
6. We were at the launch of the maiden magazine launch of the Window to China as hosted by the University of Port Harcourt Confucius Centre. The magazine will chronicle activities of the Window and feature contemporary issues of Nigeria and China relations.
7. We had the pleasure of receiving a delegation of youths from the Aluu Community, who paid a courtesy visit to the University Management to inform us about and invite us to the 2025 Aluu Carnival. We expressed our support for the event and pledged to participate, reaffirming our commitment to fostering strong community relation.
8. The University of Port Harcourt held a special combined Convocation Ceremony to honor two late professors: Professor Barisua Fortune Nwinee of the Faculty of Management Sciences and Professor Steve Wordu of the Faculty of Social Sciences. In paying our final respects, it was evident from the tributes that their passing represents a significant loss to the University.
9. We were present at the 22nd anniversary and induction ceremony of the Institute of Petroleum and Energy Studies at the University of Port Harcourt. We commended the current and former leadership of the Institute for their dedicated and impactful guidance and urged the inductees to apply their newly acquired knowledge to advance industry practices.
10. We are pleased to announce that the Council of Legal Education has approved an increase in our Law programme admission quota from 50 to 100, effective from the next academic session. This approval, based on our significant and commendable improvements, is indeed a positive and welcome development.
11. The University of Port Harcourt is poised to establish a Surface Mount Laboratory, as announced by the technical team of the Nigerian Content Development and Management Board (NCDMB) during a meeting with the University Governing Council, chaired by Senator Mao Arukwe Ohuanbunwa, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council. We have tasked the Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Tobinson Briggs, and his team to expedite all necessary discussions for prompt implementation.
12. The University of Port Harcourt has signed a Memorandum of Understanding Giolee Global Resources Limited to revitalize the University of Port Harcourt Bottling Company. The improved MoU represents a significant step in our effort to strengthen business ventures and improve internally generated revenue.
13. The convener of the Foundations for Citizens Empowerment and Sensitization on Civic Responsibility Initiative, Samuel Nzidee, in collaboration with the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), presented scholarships, MacPads, and other gifts to students as part of the launch of Project NEW. In his opening remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Distinguished Senator Mao Arukwe Ohuanbunwa, praised the initiative’s organizers and encouraged students to actively participate in the project
14. The 42nd Valedictory Lecture of the University was delivered by Prof. Eugene Onyeike as he meritoriously bows out of the University having attained the statutory 70 years of age. The valedictorian emphasised that the responsibilities of university administrator require certain innate characteristics such as integrity, fairness, compassion, courage, discipline amongst others as deviation from these would spell doom for the University.
15. We attended the grand opening ceremony of JuliRose Hotel and Suites, the privately managed facility overseeing the Unique Uniport five-star hotel, which was beautifully constructed and donated as a Centre of Excellence by the Central Bank of Nigeria. With this grand opening, the hotel—featuring world-class amenities—stands poised to become one of the premier hotels in the South-South region.
16. It was again an esteemed privilege to be assigned the role of representing the Visitor and the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR at the 2nd Combined Convocation Ceremony of the Federal University, Otuoke. The President underscored the need for universities to key into the various aspects of his administration’s economic policies. Special commendation was extended to the Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan for his foresight in the establishment of the university in 2011.

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