President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the family, friends and associates of the late 5th Vice Chancellor of University of Port-Harcourt, Prof. Nimi Briggs, 79, extending sympathy to the academia and Nigeria Medical Association (NMA).
President Buhari noted the historic contributions of the scholar to national development, particularly the educational sector, reaching the pinnacle of his career, with distinctions in service.
The President believes the Emeritus Professor of Medicine, Pro Chancellor of Federal University, Abakaliki, Bayelsa Medical University, Yenagoa and Chairman, Committee of Pro Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, lived for the good of the country and humanity, urging family and friends to immortalize his legacies.
The President prayed that the Almighty God will grant the soul of the departed a peaceful rest.
The Rivers State governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has also said the death of former Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, Emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs came to him as a shock.
The governor described the death of the renowned Professor of obstetrics and gynaecology, who once served as chairman of both Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) and Rivers State Economic Advisory Council, as a sad moment for the Government and people of Rivers State.
Governor Wike noted that Prof Briggs was not only an exceptional obstetrics and gynaecology teacher, but also an astute administrator who was committed to the common good of humanity.
The governor, while acknowledging the immense contributions of Prof Briggs while he served in RSIEC and the Rivers State Economic Advisory Council, stressed that his passion, vision and relentless pursuit of better and progressive Rivers State will remain a source of inspiration to generations to come.
“I am very shocked and sad to hear that Emeritus Professor Nimi Dimkpa Briggs has passed on. He was indeed symbol of commitment and dedication to the medical profession, our dear Rivers State and the nation. His contributions to public health and service were immeasurable.
“As the Vice Chancellor of the foremost University of Port Harcourt, Prof Briggs demonstrated that he was absolutely visionary, because he worked tirelessly to promote academic excellence and infrastructural transformation of the institution.
“On behalf of the Government and people of Rivers State, I wish to express my profound condolences to Prof Briggs’ wife, his children, extended family and friends. I pray God to grant you all the fortitude to bear this devastating loss.”
A family statement issued on Monday said the renowned Academic, Scholar and Emeritus Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecologist died in the early hours of Easter Monday, 2023,
Briggs was appointed Vice Chancellor of the University of Port Harcourt, from 2000-2005.
The deceased was also a member of the committee tasked with the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement between the Nigerian Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities.
