UNIPORT[/caption4The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has appointed Prof. George Owunari as its substantive Vice-Chancellor (VC). This came barely one year after the former VC, Prof. Ndowa Lale left office in July 2020.
Owunari took over from Prof. Stephen Okududu, who was appointed, last year, in acting capacity due to a delay in inaugurating the university’s Governing Council.
The16th Council was, however, inaugurated on May 17, 2021, with top priority on recruiting a Vice-Chancellor to stabilise the system and manage the institution.
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Senator Andrew Uchendu, announced the new VC, at the weekend, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Uchendu said Prof. Owunari of the Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, was considered the best man for the job, among 12 other contestants.
Uchendu said: “The 16th Council was inaugurated on May 17, 2021, and during our first meeting, we realised the moral of service was at the lowest ebb. Many principal officers were all on acting appointment, and we know that systems and managements cannot grow in such setting.”
He said the Council meticulously complied with the provisions of the University Act on the Vice Chancellor’s selection.
“You must work with all. Do good to all but be firm,” Uchendu said.
Owunari called on all those who contested with him to join hands with him to build the institution.
He declared zero tolerance to cultism, warning that the university would not tolerate such act.
