…unveils eight strategic pillars for administration

The new Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt (Uniport), Prof. Chike Princewill Chike, has pledged to lead the institution with discipline, purpose and excellence, warning students and staff against acts capable of undermining the reputation of the university.

Chike, who assumed office as the 10th Vice Chancellor of the university on Monday, cautioned students against involving in any cult-related activities, stressing that his administration would not tolerate any form of criminality, cultism or behaviour that threatens peace and academic excellence.

He urged parents and guardians to advise their children and wards to shun activities capable of destroying their future.

Similarly, the Vice Chancellor warned staff members involved in sexual harassment, fraud, bribery and other unethical practices to turn a new leaf or exit the institution.

He said his administration would operate with zero tolerance for misconduct, adding that members of the university community must uphold integrity and accountability.

“The council members are watching us. If you cannot work under a clean slate, then you may have to leave,” he stated.

The Vice Chancellor spoke at the University’s CBN Hall during his inaugural address shortly after the formal handover ceremony from his predecessor, Prof. Georgewill Owunari.

Prof. Chike unveiled eight strategic pillars that would guide his administration, including academic excellence and quality assurance; research, innovation and knowledge translation; digital transformation and ICT-driven governance; institutional harmony and inclusive leadership; internationalisation; student support; financial sustainability; and resource mobilisation.

He stressed the need for stakeholders and private organisations to support the growth of the university, noting that government alone could not shoulder the responsibility of funding tertiary education.

“The Federal Government cannot do it alone. Our institution needs support. Help pay the school fees of some students. Our laboratories need support. Our research centres need support. Our centres of excellence need support,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor, who described himself as a product of Uniport, encouraged students and staff to aspire to the highest academic achievements, including winning global recognitions such as Nobel Prizes.

According to him, the university has produced individuals capable of attaining the highest positions, adding that his emergence as Vice Chancellor was evidence that students of the institution could rise to the pinnacle of their careers.

“I want the students of this university to think of Nobel Prizes. I want the academic staff of this university to think of Nobel Prizes. It is not only when you attend two weeks training in Oxford that you can brag. We must rewire our minds and believe in what is possible here,” he said.

Prof. Chike attributed his emergence as Vice Chancellor to divine grace, urging other candidates who contested the position with him to join hands with him in building a university of academic excellence.

He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for finding him worthy of the appointment, as well as other individuals who supported his emergence. He commended the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike, whom he described as a supporter of academic excellence.

In his remarks, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the 17th Governing Council of the University of Port Harcourt, Senator Mao Ohuabunwa, said the council ensured that due process was followed in the selection of the new Vice Chancellor.

Ohuabunwa said the process was competitive, with 18 highly qualified professors from universities across Nigeria and four candidates from Ghana applying for the position.

He urged members of the university community to support the new Vice Chancellor, expressing confidence that Prof. Chike would provide the leadership needed to move the institution to greater heights.