From
the inception of the university, the University of Port Harcourt recognized the
important role a balanced educational system can play in providing the link
between town and gown. Consequently, at the first seating of the provisional
Senate of the University College, Port Harcourt, held at the residence of the
Principal, Professor Donald E. U. Ekong on the 29th of October, 1976, Senate
considered the proposal by the joint Board of the then Schools of Humanities,
Social Studies and Educational Studies on the need to establish a committee on
National Self-reliance.
The focus of this committee was to involve both staff
and students of the University College in the problems of the urban and rural
communities through practical participation in community service as an integral
part of the school curriculum. Senate therefore set up an ad hoc committee to
prepare a work programme for consideration. The committee members were
Professor E. J. Alagoa (Chairman), Dr. R. A. Odihirin, Mr. C. B. Powell, Dr.
(Mrs.) A. I. Spiff and one person each from the Schools of Humanities, Social
Studies and Educational Studies. Consequently, at the second meeting of Senate
held on the 5th of January 1977, the programme was re-designate as “Community
Service Field Courses”. It was also decided at the same meeting that the
programme shall be an integral part and an essential requirement for all degree
programmes and will be credit earning. The programme is planned so as to
instill the dignity of labour in the minds of the students. Each academic
department has a Representative who works directly with the students to
identify possible projects to be undertaken by such department. Such identified
project proposals are forwarded to the Central Community Service Board through
the faculty Coordinators for consideration and approval. Since then the unit
has undergone several transformations under various directors until its present
form. Some of these past directors include: Dr. J. A. Adeyinka (1987 - 1989);
Dr. S. Ekpenyong (1989 - 1991); Dr. A. N. Gbosi (1991 - 1993); Dr. Arthur
Nwafor (1994 - 1998); Dr. E. S. Akama (1999 - 2006); Dr. E. C. Emasealu (2006 -
2010). Activities and achievements of the unit have been in the form of (i)
Construction:- Bus-stop, Interlocking concrete Car park, Street sign boards,
Notice boards, Instructional boards, Concrete Benches and Concrete Walkway.
(ii) Donations:- Hot/cold water dispensers, Public Address systems,
certificates and plaques, desktop computers, cable network television and Air
conditioners. (iii) Painting:- University fence walls, trees and concrete kerbs
along Unipark roads. (iv) Farming:- Planting of ornamental trees and flowers,
establishment of pineapple orchards, plantain plantation and vegetable farm.
(iv) Sanitation:- Clearing of refuse dumps and drainages, filling of potholes,
cleaning of market places, offices and public places. (v) Community
enlightenment campaigns on civic responsibility, girl-child education, modern
day slavery, militancy, HIV/AIDS pandemic, stress management and personal
hygiene; free health services on breast cancer and testicular self examination,
de-worming, blood pressure, blood sugar, blood group and genotype. All these
activities are now concentrated within the surrounding communities of Aluu
Clan, Alakahia, Choba and recently Rumualogu and Rumuokparali.
Pioneers in this unit are as follows
1.
Professor Anthony S. Ekine; B.
Sc. (Hons.), Ile-Ife; M. Sc. (ABU); Ph. D. (Applied Geophysics), UNN, is the
current Director of the Central Community Service Unit. Before his appointment
he has served the university in various capacities which include: Member,
University of PortHarcourt Sports Council, 1983 - 1985; Team Manager / Coach,
University of PortHarcourt Hockey Team, 1983 -1985 and 1990 – 1997; Chairman,
University of PortHarcourt Time-Table Committee, 1983 - 1985; Hall Warden,
New-Undergraduate / Amino Kano / Nelson Mandela Halls, Oct., 1990 – Nov. 1997;
Chairman, Senate Committee on Science Laboratory Technology Programme,
University of PortHarcourt, Feb. 1992 - Sept. 1995. Acting Head, Department of
Physics, University of PortHarcourt, PortHarcourt, Oct. 1997 – Sept. 1999.
2. Mr. Lawrence Alikor; B. Sc. (Mgt.), UPH; MBA (Mkt), UNN; AMNIM, is
an Administrative Officer in the unit and acts as the unit’s Secretary and the
administrative head. He is the longest serving staff of the unit.
3. Miss Ifeoma Onyige; B. Sc. (Mass Comm.), RUST, is an Administrative
Officer in the unit.
4.
Mrs. Roseline L. Nkwagha; Dip.
(PGDE) and B. Sc. (Acct.), UPH, is a Senior Secretarial Assistant in the unit.
Article by CHUKS OTI
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A psychologist, writer and social media expert, Oti enjoys pitching ideas into
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