The University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) has partnered with the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Rivers State Command, to tackle drug abuse and other social vices among young people within the university and its host communities.
The partnership was formalised on August 26, 2025, during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the PCRC to the Vice Chancellor of UNIPORT, Professor Owunari Georgewill, at the university’s Senate Building.
The initiative, which aligns with the PCRC’s War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) campaign, is designed to intensify advocacy, education, and preventive measures targeted at students and youths in the surrounding environment.
Chairman of the PCRC in Rivers State, Voke Emore, commended the university for maintaining its reputation as one of Africa’s leading institutions of higher learning. He noted that the PCRC has continued to collaborate with key government agencies, including the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), to extend anti-drug campaigns across the state’s tertiary institutions.
“We understand the strong link between the use of illicit drugs and criminal behaviour. It is on this basis that we have chosen to expand our anti-drug campaign to UniPort. We anticipate a productive relationship as we collaborate in the future,” Emore said.
The Vice Chancellor described the initiative as both timely and strategic, considering the university’s student population of over 40,000.
“The university is a place where we encounter the good, the bad and the ugly. This kind of partnership will be very beneficial. We welcome your campaign and will support you to effectively carry out your duties. By counselling students and educating them on the dangers of drug abuse, you are not only preventing criminal activities but also safeguarding their health,” he stated.
Professor Georgewill expressed the university’s full support for the initiative and applauded the PCRC for its proactive approach in addressing youth-related issues. He underscored the importance of sustained engagement to combat drug abuse, cultism, and other vices threatening the development and wellbeing of young Nigerians.
The visit concluded with the presentation of a certificate of partnership to the university by the PCRC, symbolising their shared commitment to promoting safety, discipline, and healthy living among students.
