The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Rivers State Command, has entered into a strategic partnership with the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) as part of its ongoing campaign against drug abuse.
The collaboration was formalised during a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Professor Owunari Georgewill, on Tuesday, August 26.
Speaking at the meeting, PCRC Rivers Chairman Mr Voke Emore, lauded the University management for sustaining UNIPORT’s reputation as one of Africa’s leading institutions despite the stiff competition in the continent’s tertiary education sector.
He explained that the PCRC has consistently worked with key government agencies, particularly the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to intensify the “War Against Drug Abuse” in higher institutions.
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“We understand that there is a strong correlation between the intake of illicit drugs and criminal behaviour. It is on this premise we decided to extend the campaign against drug abuse to Uniport,” Emore stated.
Responding to the PRCP chairman, Professor Georgewill expressed appreciation for the initiative, describing it as timely, considering the University’s student population of over 40,000.
“The University is a place that we have the good, bad and ugly. A strategic partnership like this will help us a lot. You have a lot to campaign. We welcome it. We will partner with you. Support you, so you can carry out your duties very effectively,” the Vice Chancellor said.
He further assured that UNIPORT would engage the Students’ Affairs Division and student leadership structures to ensure the campaign gains traction within the campus. Professor Georgewill also encouraged PCRC to sustain the exercise as a continuous programme for greater impact.
The highlight of the visit was the presentation of a certificate of partnership by the PCRC to UNIPORT, symbolising the joint resolve to combat drug abuse, cultism and related social vices in the University community.
