The Vice-Chancellor, University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), Prof. Owunari Georgewill, has emphasised the importance of peaceful conflict resolution and dialogue in resolving disputes.
 He warned that the university environment must never be turned into a battlefield.
 
Georgewill made the call at a one-day symposium organised by the Student Union Government (SUG) of the institution in his honour, as his tenure gradually winds down.
 The event, which focused on peaceful conflict resolution within the university system, featured a lecture by Prof Obari Gomba, who stressed that conflicts are inevitable in diverse academic communities, but must be handled constructively.
 
Gomba warned that differences, if not managed with maturity, could be weaponised, leading to stagnation and a lack of progress.
 He cautioned those in authority against abusing power or delivering partial judgments, stressing that such actions often fuel distrust and heighten tensions.
 
In his remarks, the outgoing vice-chancellor emphasised that universities are communities of reasoning and shared purpose, not arena for confrontation.
 He described negotiation as a sign of maturity, strength, and foresight in an academic setting where critical thinking should prevail.
 
Georgewill urged SUG leaders to sustain the culture of peace on campus, noting that stability is crucial for academic excellence and institutional advancement.
 He reflected on what he described as a rare achievement — five years of uninterrupted academic activity without student demonstrations, strikes, or campus closures — attributing the feat to deliberate efforts to prioritise negotiation over agitation.
 
Georgewill called on vice-chancellors and student union leaders across the various institutions to embrace dialogue as the preferred mechanism for resolving disputes, warning that protests sometimes escalate beyond closures to tragic outcomes.
 SUG President, Amaechi Walson, commended his non-interference in student union activities and his willingness to engage students directly.

 He lauded his leadership approach, noting that it has fostered stability and mutual respect within the university community.