Governor Nyesom Wike on Tuesday ordered Rivers State University to deal with lecturers involved in sexual harassment of students.
Wike, who spoke at the 30th convocation ceremony of the university held in Port Harcourt, also directed sanctions against management staff involved in admission fraud.
The governor stated that his administration would not tolerate any stain on the moral standard of the university.
He assured the institution that the state government would act decisively on the recommendations of the governing council on allegations of admission racketing in the university.
Wike said, “I wish to restate that this institution occupies an exalted status in this country. We love it and we will not tolerate any stain on its moral standard and position as a centre of learning and character building.
“Therefore, I want to assure you that the government will act decisively on the recommendations of the Governing Council in respect of the allegations of admission racketing by some management staff of the university.
“I hereby further direct the Governing Council to carry out an appropriate action on the allegation of sorting for marks, sexual harassment and other vices in the university and deal appropriately with those found guilty.”
In the same vein, Gov Nyesom Ezenwo Wike also approved automatic employment for all Rivers State indigenes who bagged Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) during the 2018 Convocation Ceremony of the University.
Governor Wike also approved the offer of automatic scholarships for all the 25 Rivers indigenes who bagged First Class Degrees during the 2018 Convocation Ceremony of the University.
Governor Wike announced scholarships to all Rivers indigenes admitted to study medicine in any recognised university in Nigeria.
Governor Wike said: “I have approved the immediate restoration of the multi-campus status of the Rivers State University.
“I direct the university to immediately proceed with arrangements to establish a campus of two faculties in Ahoada. The State Government will complete the abandoned mega secondary school in Emohua Local Government Area and donate it to the Rivers State University to establish the appropriate Faculty to provide more educational opportunities for the development of our young ones”.
The governor stated that Rivers State University occupies a strategic position in the priority list of his administration, noting that efforts to grow the institution will be sustained.
“Our responsibility as a government is to support the Rivers State University to grow from strength to strength “, the Rivers State Governor said.
He announced the approval of the Harmonized University Salaries Structure as obtainable for State Universities for the institution.
Pro-Chancellor of the Rivers State University, Justice Iche Ndu (rtd) assured that the University will continue to build on well set priorities of moral discipline and rectitude and maintaining the best quality of academic and non-academic staff.
He said that the institution is working hard to eliminate all forms of examination malpractice, admission irregularities , cultism , drug abuse and other social vices.
The Pro-Chancellor further announced the resolution of the University to confer on the Rivers State Governor a Honorary Doctorate Degree for his outstanding developmental strides. The conferment ceremony will hold at a later date.
In a convocation address, Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Blessing Didia, said that 4536 graduands received first degrees, post graduate diplomas, masters and doctorate degrees.
He extolled Governor Wike for the giant strides of his administration which has enhanced the development of the university.
“I wish to conclude this address by thanking our governor and visitor for the high level of professionalism and statesmanship which has been brought to governance “, the Vice Chancellor said.
He said that the University has been lucky for the midas touch of the Rivers State Governor in the areas of infrastructural development, leading to all faculties having their respective buildings.
