TWO WEEKS RETROSPECT IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PORT HARCOURT

The following events took place in the University from Monday 6th to Friday 17th October, 2025.

1. As we joined the world to celebrate the 2025 World Teachers Day, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari Abraham Georgewill was a keynote speaker at the one-day intensive seminar organized by the International Honourable Inclusive Educators Connect. This year’s theme – The Transformation of Education Begins with Teachers, focused on the transformative impacts of teachers in the shaping the society. In recognition of our invaluable contributions, a Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the Vice-Chancellor.
2. In a similar manner, we received a letter of invitation from EduFocusAfrica nominating the Vice-Chancellor for the prestigious 2025 Teachers Spotlight Award and to present keynote address on Voices of Impact; re-echoing the need that the voices of teachers reverberates through all segments of the society.
3. Again, the University of Port Harcourt through the visionary and proactive leadership of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Owunari A. Georgewill secures two hundred and fifty (250) scholarship opportunities for our students through one of our strategic partners, Dr. (Mrs.) Seinye O.B. Lulu-Briggs. By this philanthropic gesture, the 250 beneficiaries will have their tuition fees paid for the 2025/2026 academic session and a token as upkeep.
4. The Registry Department has constituted an Organizing Committee headed by Mr. Promise Aalonee for the planning and execution of the 2025 Registry Day Celebration. The Registrar, Dr. Mrs. Gloria O. Chindah presented the Registry Day Committee to the University Management. We congratulated them for being found worthy to be nominated and charged them to come up with novel ideas for an outstanding 2025 Registry Day Celebration.
5. Members of the University Management were treated to a soothing relief as the Ag. Head of Department, Music accompanied by students of the Department thrilled us with nerve relaxing music. The University is indeed proud of the feats achieved by the Music Department.
6. The Department of Educational Psychology, Guidance and Counselling initiates Eminent Guest Lecture Series to be delivered by scholars, practitioners and eminent persons. The first Eminent Guest Lecturer, Dr. Sam Sam Jaja JP DSSRS spoke on “Attitudinal Change” A Prerequisite for National Development”. He posited that attitudinal change in a positive direction is possible and would usher the country to the path of greatness.
7. We participated in the 203rd Inaugural Lecture which was brilliantly delivered by Prof. Obioma Kenechukwu Agwa of the Department of Microbiology. The 203rd Inaugural Lecturer held her audience spell-bound as she presented a thrilling lecture on Waste to Wealth- Technological Microbiology in waste management. She posited a futuristic model where microbes are programmed, optimized and scaled up through artificial intelligence to herald the new era of scientific innovation. Indeed, Prof. Agwa has distinguished herself through her research endeavors by illuminating the pathway through which the invisible world of micro-organisms becomes an agent of visible transformation.
8. The 40th Valedictory Lecture was exceptionally delivered by Professor Christie on the topic No Longer Behind the Scene: A Most Improbable Journey. The lecture had in attendance, distinguished personalities from all walks of life who came to cheer our retiring Professor of Anaesthesiology. We applauded her for numerous contributions to the advancement of the University and for leading with competence, integrity, and compassion. We wish her the best of life after retirement in good health.
9. To showcase the University of Port Harcourt as strategic, multi-dimensional, and transformative, we held a documentary screening for the Emerald Energy Institute, highlighting its cutting-edge research, innovative programs, and impactful contributions to the global energy sector.
10. We participated in the 2025 SciBiz Annual Conference held in Abuja, which brought together academia, industry experts, and government officials to explore ways to strengthen a collaborative ecosystem for sustainable innovation and economic growth. We commend the Managing Director of Cyphercrescent and the Director, Academic Planning Unit for such a conference.
11. It was an honour to serve as Special Guest of Honour at the Induction Ceremony and one-day seminar hosted by the Chartered Institute of Social Work Practitioners of Nigeria, held at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education. The Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt was ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Research and Development.
12. It was a pleasure to join a benefactor, Dr. (Mrs.) Sienye O. B. Lulu-Briggs, to present Award letters to the 250 students nominated for her scholarship programme. The event, graced by members of the University Management, the Provost, Deans of faculties, and parents/guardians, was a truly uplifting occasion that brought renewed hope and joy to the beneficiaries. We once again expressed our appreciation to our strategic partner for this laudable and impactful initiative.
13. As the University of Port Harcourt continues to strengthen its partnership with the Chinese Consulate, we played host to a high-powered delegation led by San Zan to engage the University Management on further areas of collaboration. We are happy to announce that the Centre for Chinese Language (Confucius Centre) is set to receive a facelift.
14. We received a Distinguished Service Award from the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Rivers State Chapter in recognition of our support and participation at the Institute’s diamond jubilee celebration.
15. The University of Port shines once again at the global stage as Professor Mercy Ebere Ndubueze-Ogaraku of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness Management was selected to serve at the prestigious Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) Alumni Advisory Panel. This recognition comes on the heels that over 500 applications were received from where she was meritoriously selected.
16. The University of Port Harcourt through the Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies in collaboration with the National Emergency Agency organized a one-day program to mark the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction. The aptness of this year’s theme – Empowering the Next Generation for a Resilient Future aims to bridge the gap between the past, present and future.
17. We received the Registrar, Institute of Education, Management and Professional Studies (EMPS) and her team to notify us of the decision of the Institute to confer on us the Eminent Scholar Award. We appreciated the Institute for finding us worthy and look forward to the investiture.
18. We are pleased to report that the University of Port Harcourt is currently hosting contingents from South-South universities for the zonal finals in preparation for the 2025 NUGA Games. Participating institutions are competing for qualification slots to the national event, which will take place in Jos, Plateau State. As the leading institution in the zone, the University remains highly motivated and poised to secure as many qualifying spots as possible
19. The University of Port Harcourt proudly celebrates the remarkable achievement of one of its young scholars, Dr. Okwudili of the Department of English Studies, who has been awarded the prestigious NLNG 2025 Nigerian Prize for Literary Criticism. Selected through a highly competitive process, Dr. Okwudili’s success highlights the depth and excellence of the University’s academic community. The award ceremony, held in Lagos, was attended by prominent government officials, industry leaders, academics, and other distinguished guests from across the nation.
20. The School of Graduate Studies building is set to be commissioned after the completion was facilitated by the Chairman of the Governing Council, Distinguished Sen. Mao Ohuanbunwa through the intervention of the Petroleum Development Trust Fund on the directives of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Distinguished Sen. Heineken Lokpobiri. We appreciate the remarkable contributions of these critical stakeholders in bequeathing a tastefully finished building to the University.

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