TWO WEEKS RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place from Monday 11th to Friday 22nd August, 2025.

1. The University of Port Harcourt Entrepreneurial Centre partnered with the Young Entrepreneurship Grant in organizing a competition for undergraduate students of the University. The competition which was geared towards building innovative entrepreneurs had Harry Opriaboyana, Isreal Madubochi and Felicia Banigo emerged as overall winners.

2. We participated in the Orientation Exercise conducted by the University of Port Harcourt Counselling and Human Development Centre for her postgraduate students. We commended the Director, Prof. Rosemary Ekechukwu and her team for repositioning the Centre.

3. In recognition of laudable initiatives and Alumnus contributions to the University of Port Harcourt, a distinguished Alumnus Award was presented to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill.

4. We received Prof. Prince Chinedu Mmom who was recently appointed as the pioneer Vice-Chancellor, Federal University of Environment and Technology, Korokoma/Sakpenwa (FUET). We held brief discussion and congratulated him on his appointment.

5. Similarly, Professor Zeb Obepi, the Vice-Chancellor of the Rivers State University was at the University as an External Examiner to assess Ph.D. students of the Department of Management, Faculty of Management Sciences. We stopped by at the School of Graduate Studies to welcome and commend him for finding time to visit the University despite his very busy schedules.

6. The University of Port Harcourt Women Association (UPWA) in partnership with the Student Affairs Department and the Forum of Faculty Vice-Presidents organized an advocacy programme on “The Blueprint for a better Man” . The insightful event attracted resource persons from various walks of life with high success rate.

7. In appreciation for their commitment and meritorious service to the University as Deputy Vice-Chancellors, the University Management held a special Principal Officers meeting to honour the outgoing Deputy Vice-Chancellors and officially welcome the incoming Deputy Vice-Chancellors.

8. We received Prof. Chris Wigwe, Dean, Faculty of Law, Rivers State University, as he paid a visit to the University of Port Harcourt and had fruitful discussions with him.

9. The Nigeria Association of Pharmacists in Academia hosted her 23rd Annual National Scientific Conference at the University of Port Harcourt. We received a delegation consisting of the National leadership of the Association, Local Organizing Committee and members of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences as they paid a courtesy call on the University Management. The Conference theme “Pharmacy Practice in the New Global Economy: Education, Technology and Collaborations had participants drawn from across the country.

10. We received top management staff from NLNG and NCDMB who were at the University to conclude the process of remodelling and equipping of our Chemical Engineering Laboratory. We commended both Commissions for the initiative and commitment to complete the project within the shortest possible time.

11. We participated in the 2nd edition of the Speak Finance Debate hosted by the Department of Finance and Banking, Faculty of Management Sciences. The debate had students of the department take several informed positions on topical financial issues. We commended the First Ally Asset Management Limited for partnering with the Department and Professor Samuel Ogunbiyi in making the debate possible. Several prizes were given to the participants.

12. We also participated in the First Public Lecture of the Centre for Information and Telecommunication Engineering with key focus in harnessing citizens generated data for enhanced Gov-Tech and Public Services Delivery in the South-South region.

13. The Student Union commenced their 2025 Students’ Week with a road walk. Other activities such as costume day, cultural day and election of new set of Student Union executives marked this years event. We charged the students to ensure that all activities marking the week were done in strict adherence to conditions for peace in the University.

14. We received the Acting Provost of the College of Health Sciences, Prof. O. N. Ekeke and some other members of the College who presented a distinguished service Award to us in recognition of selfless service.

15. In commemoration of the World Breastfeeding Week 2025, the University Management pledged her continuous support in prioritizing breastfeeding for both working and schooling mothers.

16. The University commenced the 2025 Post-UTME exercise in preparation for the 2025/2026 Admission process. We took a tour across the three designated centres to monitor the progress of the exercise and commended the Directors and invigilators of the three (3) centres for providing an enabling examination environment and strict supervision of the examination. We wished the students success and hope to have them admitted as students of the University.

17. The Management of the University of Port Harcourt has handed over the newly constructed building to the Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture. The brief handover ceremony had members of the University Management and the Faculty staff in attendance.

18. We commenced the 2026 Budget Defense for vote controllers and their Finance officers across all units/departments of the University. We considered all budget presented and would make approvals based on appropriate Financial Regulations

19. We participated in the Induction Ceremony of newly qualified Dental Surgeons from the Faculty of Dentistry, College of Health Sciences. A total of seventeen (17) qualified dentist pledged to oaths of allegiance upon fulfilling all requirements for the Award of the Degree. We emphasized the need for the newly inducted dentist to imbibe the spirit of patriotism to their fatherland by deploying their skills first to their fatherland and wished them well in their future endeavors.

20. The 201st Inaugural Lecture Series of the University was delivered by Prof. Regina Chinwe Onwuchekwa of the Department of Radiology, Faculty of Clinical Sciences, College of Health Sciences. The Lecture titled “Unraveling the Mystery of Grey Shadows: Pains of the Head and Low Back” received commendations of the Vice-Chancellor as he noted that the 5 star performance has set a high standard for future inaugural lectures.

21. ⁠The University of Port Harcourt is a beneficiary Institution for the Light Up Campus Initiative of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). We received a team of engineers from the Commission who came to follow up on the installation of 300KVA solar project at the Central Administrative Building. 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