The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) on Saturday conferred a total of 934 Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees and honoured four distinguished Nigerians with honorary doctorate degrees during its 35th convocation and 50th anniversary celebration.
Among those awarded honorary degrees were the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Chief Nyesom Wike; Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Alhaji Aminu Masari; and Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri.
The ceremony, held at the Chief Nyesom Wike Convocation Arena, Choba campus, Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of Rivers State, marked a significant milestone in the institution’s history.
Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Owunari Georgewill, hailed UNIPORT’s journey since its establishment in 1975, describing it as five decades of academic excellence and national service.
He announced that the university was awarding a total of 13,861 degrees in the combined convocation ceremony, which includes 9,788 Bachelor’s degrees, 2,131 Master’s degrees, 208 Postgraduate Diplomas, and 934 PhDs.
The event also featured the official commissioning of the new Convocation Arena, a landmark structure completed under the administration of former Governor Wike.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, reaffirmed the state government’s firm commitment to improving education at all levels.
He emphasized that no child in Rivers State would be left behind in the pursuit of academic advancement, noting the government’s continued investment in infrastructure and funding for public universities and other educational institutions.
“We remain committed to ensuring that our schools, from the foundational to the tertiary level, are equipped to deliver globally competitive education. No child will be denied access to quality education,” he said.
Vice Admiral Ibas commended the federal government, especially President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for creating an enabling environment for educational development across the country.
“On behalf of the government and people of Rivers State, I extend heartfelt appreciation to President Tinubu for his visionary leadership and support for the education sector. His backing has enabled projects like this convocation arena to be realized,” Ibas stated.
Describing UNIPORT’s golden jubilee as “historic,” the Administrator praised the institution’s consistent contributions to knowledge, research, and national development. He called on the university community to build on the legacy of the past five decades and strive for even greater global impact.
“Over the past 50 years, UNIPORT has grown into one of Nigeria’s foremost citadels of learning, producing leaders, scientists, thinkers, and professionals who have shaped our national destiny,” he remarked.
Vice Admiral Ibas also acknowledged the honorary award recipients for their exceptional service to the nation and contributions to the growth of education in Nigeria.
He concluded by congratulating the graduating students, urging them to apply their knowledge and skills to address real-world challenges and contribute meaningfully to society.
“Your education is a launchpad for innovation and leadership. Go forth and be the change our country needs,” he charged the graduands.
