Port harcourt: Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Nyesom Wike has announced that he has mobilised support from his network of friends to help fund the construction of a Senate Building for the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT). This announcement was made during the university's 35th Combined Convocation and 50th Anniversary celebration.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Wike, who was among four recipients of honorary doctorate degrees, also revealed plans to endow a Chair in Family and Child's Law at the Faculty of Law in honor of his wife. Additionally, he promised to endow another Chair in Leadership and Public Administration in the Department of Political Science to honor himself.
Wike shared that the university had recently approached him, as FCT Minister, to request land in Abuja for a Centre for Leadership and Democratic Studies. He stated that he took up the request with Mr. President, who granted approval, and that the Certificate of Occupancy for the land is ready for presentation to the university authorities.
Reflecting on his time at UNIPORT, Wike acknowledged the strong academic foundation the university provided and its ongoing promotion of values rooted in research, truth, and outspokenness. He called on fellow alumni and Nigerians to support President Bola Tinubu's efforts to improve the country's socio-economic well-being, highlighting the president's commitment to education through initiatives like the Nigeria Education Loan Fund.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the university officially named its new Convocation Arena during the event, which was inaugurated by the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, retired Vice Adm. Ibok-Ete Ibas. Wike was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science degree in Political Science (D.Sc. Honoris Causa) for his contributions to the university's development. Other honorary degree recipients included First Lady Sen. Oluremi Tinubu, Gov. Ahmadu Fintiri of Adamawa State, and Aminu Masari, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Tertiary Education Trust Fund.