Royal Court School names ex-NLNG GM Dienye chairman - Punch Newspapers

Royal Court Private School, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has inaugurated a new 13-member governing council headed by former General Manager of Nigeria LNG Limited, Godson Dienye, with the school’s promoters charging the new board to combine institutional independence with accountability as it prepares the school for its next phase of growth. The new council was inaugurated on Monday on the school premises on East-West Road, Rumuokini, near the University of Port Harcourt, with its mandate including strengthening governance, raising academic standards and expanding the institution’s contribution to education in Rivers State. Dienye, a former senior executive of NLNG, is the new chairman, while Boma Okaka, a member of the previous council, was retained as vice chairman. Tony Epelle, Managing Consultant at SAMUELSON Advisory Partners, was also retained as a member, according to press statements obtained by The PUNCH on Monday. Other members are Dr Ruth Briggs, Prof Lois Abraham, Dr Douye Okoba, Sunny Ade, Victor Graham-Douglas, Nnazoba Dunu and the Executive Director and Founder of the school, Sogba Peterside. The School Administrator, Ere Kala-Ogolo; Principal, Barnabas Njoku; and Secretary to the Board, Somina Erekosima, are also members of the council. Speaking on behalf of the Adolphus Peterside Trust, promoters of the school, former Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr Dakuku Peterside, described the transition as “a transfer of trust, a mandate to govern and a charge to stewardship.” He charged the new council to build on the work of its predecessors while preparing the institution for its next chapter.See more Punch stories on Google.Add Punch on Google Peterside said the appointment of the council members reflected confidence in the institution and their willingness to commit their experience, time and judgment to its development. “We recognise that your experience, time and wisdom are valuable, and that this responsibility will make demands on all three,” he said. He said the council’s responsibility went beyond the administration of a school, arguing that the institution had a role in shaping young people who would eventually occupy positions of influence in society. “The young people in our classrooms today will one day make decisions that affect families, businesses, communities and nations. “Our ambition, therefore, must reach beyond examination results. We must raise young people who possess both competence and conscience; who can think independently, act responsibly and place service above self-interest,” Peterside said. Rivers assembly backs state police bill NDDC seeks protection of N’Delta infrastructure Basketball community hails Hoopers’ NPBL redemption He said the school’s motto, “Godliness, Excellence and Leadership”, provided a framework for the council’s responsibilities. According to Peterside, godliness should provide the foundation for character, excellence should drive the rejection of mediocrity, while leadership should prepare students to accept responsibility and serve their communities. He urged members of the council to demonstrate the same standards of integrity, courage and accountability that the school expected of its students. Peterside also placed emphasis on accountability in the exercise of the council’s authority. “Authority must be matched by accountability,” he said, adding that the council’s performance would ultimately be judged by “the strength of the institution you build, the confidence you inspire and the opportunities you create for every child to flourish.” He said the new council should see its appointment as a responsibility to protect the institution’s mission while creating the conditions for its continued development. Peterside also gave the council an assurance that the Adolphus Peterside Trust would respect its independence in carrying out its lawful responsibilities. “Our role in the Adolphus Peterside Trust will be to support your success, not to establish a parallel authority or undermine your decisions,” he said. The outgoing chairman of the council, George Izunwa, earlier thanked the Adolphus Peterside Trust for the confidence reposed in the outgoing council. Izunwa also expressed appreciation to members of his council for their support and cooperation throughout their tenure. The new council brings together professionals with backgrounds spanning business, academia, engineering, law, public administration and school management. Founded in 2011, Royal Court Private School is an independent, co-educational, boarding-only secondary school in Port Harcourt. It teaches the British National Curriculum within a Nigerian context and says its mission is to develop students into God-fearing and exemplary leaders. Ayoola Babalola

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