WHAT started like a peaceful protest, Friday, by students of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), later turned violent, as properties worth millions of naira were vandalized. The students, who were protesting an alleged increment in their tuition fee by the school management, embarked on a peaceful procession in the university, but later went violent after policemen drafted to forestall a breakdown of law and order fired teargas at the students.
The protesting students regrouped and broke into the school’s ICT Centre, carting away computers and other electronic equipments, said to be running into millions of naira. Majority of the buildings at various faculties were vandalized, but the policemen prevented the students from gaining access to the administrative block, which houses the office of the Vice Chancellor and other top management staff of the university. Some of the students who spoke with our correspondent, said, “the institution authorities have been extorting the students for a long time, especially in the sale of textbooks and handouts, which are made mandatory for all students.”
The students also disclosed, “but what caused the protest was the recent increment of the school fees by an additional N13, 000.00, which they termed as fee for IT Wireless Access. “It was supposed to be a peaceful protest and it started peacefully until the policemen came and started firing teargas at us, while some of them fired gunshots into the air. It was at that point that the students were provoked and vandalized some of the buildings.”
A security man, who pleaded anonymity, said that, “I came to work around 9am and saw a large number of students chanting and shouting, and when I asked what was happening, I was told by my HOD that they were protesting the increment of school fees and we were observing them to make sure that they did not destroy school properties until the police arrived and started shooting teargas. “It was at that point that the students went wild and started damaging anything at sight. The worst was the ICT Centre where which the completely looted and vandalized”. Meanwhile, all efforts to speak with the school management were not successful, as they were said to have left the school. But, a member of the management staff who didn’t want his name mentioned, denied that the tuition fee was increased. According to him, “the students were misinformed by some miscreants who sent out misleading report about plans by the university management to hike the fees. But the truth is that there is nothing like that.” Meanwhile, the school has been shut indefinitely.
There is a reason for the high spirits at the institution. The ambience is great. Space seems to be put in better use, as new lecture halls, staff offices, faculty buildings, Senate building and hostels stand in their right places. There are lawns and flowers and the air seems purer these days.
There is more. Road network has improved and you can drive or walk with more ease.
Still, the story of FUTO is more than infrastructure or greenery. It is one of cleaner academic processes leading to its leap from its 48th position out of 100 Nigerian universities in 2011, to 12th, according to a web ranking.
FUTO stakeholders have Vice Chancellor Professor Chigozie Asiabaka to thank for that.
He relished the improved facilities but the VC was just as happy with the school’s integrity profile and the harmony in the work force.
Unlike in the past, when the university was bedevilled by decayed infrastructure and disenchanted work force, FUTO is better positioned to compete favourably with other leading universities in the world in terms of academic quality, first-class infrastructure and human capital development.
The students and staff alike in a chat with The Nation attributed the success to the VC’s ingenuity as well as the commitment of both the academic and non-academic staff of the institution.
The VC, now in his fourth year, said that on taking office, he laid out his vision and mission which was to “re-position FUTO to be a top-ranked world-class university of excellence in technological knowledge production and dissemination, through teaching, research and service to humankind.
“I laid the roadmap for my five-year tenure. I espoused my vision and mission and these were encapsulated in my mantra the ‘Quest for Excellence’, which means following the part of transparency, accountability, probity, zero tolerance for corruption and equity in the daily activities of the university”.
There was opposition but it did not matter. Asiabaka, in his own words, “still went ahead to stop the exploitation and abuse of our students through the sale of handouts and insisted on the release of examination results four weeks after the end of each semester examination. I also stopped the exploitation of parents and guardians and indeed candidates wishing to gain admission into FUTO by putting an end to examination racketeering. The exploitation of our graduates within and outside the country was also stopped by ensuring that they get their transcripts within 48 hours of application and the collection of their certificates immediately after convocation.”
Another major area of development that has been highly commended within and outside of the university is the full computerisation of the activities of the institution. Today all transactions of the university are done electronically including admissions, financial transactions, Senate and Council meetings, among others.
He said, “Unlike what was obtained before I assumed office, all the activities of the university are now computerised. Today we have the e-Senate, e-admission, e-payment, etc. In the past Senate and Council meetings normally take up to two days but today as a result of the e-Senate, all meetings can be concluded in a matter of hours. The e-transaction has blocked leakages of University funds and made the system more efficient.
“Information and Communication Technology deployment in the University has witnessed a substantial leap in the last four and a half years. When we came in, we worked hard to achieve early deployment of a campus-wide internet access facility and the establishment and use of Edu-portal Solution in FUTO. The adoption of this platform significantly aided the computerisation of major university activities such as online processing of applications for admission and post-UTME placements, On-line payment of school fees and processing of students’ clearance, Deployment of FUTO-TPS (Transcript Processing Solution) for processing transcripts and Automated Staff pay-roll system and use of Electronic Payments for settlement of bills”.
On the academic activities, which he said is the main purpose of establishing any academic institution, the Vice Chancellor, hinted that, “our curriculum and academic contents have become more dynamic and robust in tandem with aspirations of a globalized knowledge driven economy. Within the last one year, the university presented programmes in the School of Agriculture and Agricultural Technology, Engineering and Engineering Technology, Health Technology, Environmental Sciences, Physical Sciences, Biological Sciences and Management Technology to the National Universities Commission (NUC) for accreditation. A total of 41 programmes were assessed and 39 got accreditation and we have commenced the process to have a Medical School in FUTO.”
The university according to The Nation findings, has also made good progress in the area of internalisation through the establishment of concrete academic linkages and the promotion of viable outreach programmes both locally and overseas. Some of the affiliating Universities include, the University of Georgia, Athens, Dillard University, New Orleans, The City University College, Cork, Ireland, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest, Hungary, Egerton University, Njoro Kenya and Galilee International Management Institute, Isreal, among others.
•Prof. Asiabaka
Asiabaka who was quick to attribute the success of the last four and a half years to the team spirit exhibited by the staff, said that he, more than any other previous Vice Chancellor of the university, is committed to staff welfare.
He said, “My administration has consciously pursued a policy of improving the welfare of our staff. Promotions of deserving members of Staff, both teaching and non-teaching have duly been released. Basically the University is created for the Staff and it is on record that this administration has surpassed any other administration in terms of staff welfare. When I assumed duty as Vice Chancellor the first thing I did was to start looking at how do I make the Staff work because one individual cannot do the work.
“When I came in the issue of staff promotion was addressed. It is on record that I have promoted more people than anybody, from 2011 to today, we have promoted a total number of 466 academic staff, 44 of them to the rank of Professor, 73 as Associate Professors and in the non-professorial cadre, I promoted 349. In all in the last four years I have promoted a total of 466 academic staff and 2,205 non-academic staff. Under my leadership the University instituted long service award and rewarded recipients with handsome gifts.
“We have also as a matter of policy recruited all first-class and second-class upper degree graduates of this university through the graduate assistantship scheme to create a new set of young and vibrant generation of academic staff.
“On post-graduate training, the University is sponsoring 75 Ph.D students in both foreign and local universities, 30 Master Degree students, apart from sponsorship of national and international conferences”.
On students welfare, the Vice Chancellor, observed that the students as the main focus of the University system are accorded a pride of place, adding that his administration took “positive steps that strengthened the Students’ Affairs Unit”, which he said improved on Students’ Support Services.
The late Senator Uche Chukwumerije will be conferred with a posthumous Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) during the 28th convocation of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) on Saturday.
Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, and former PDP Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur will also be conferred with Doctor of Technology and Doctor of Management (Honoris Causa).
Speaking at a pre-convocation press briefing, the Vice Chancellor, Prof Chigozie Asiabaka, disclosed that 24 students would graduate with First Class; 604, Second Class (Upper Division); 1381, Second Class (Lower division); 223, Third Class; and 11, Pass.
Asiabaka expressed joy that the university had maintained a steady academic calendar in the last four years, and in the period, made appreciable progress.
“In the last four and half years, the university has emphasized more on quality teaching and research which are critical aspects of our Quest for Excellence.
“To buttress the success of the university in these core areas, the 2015 web ranking of Nigerian Universities conducted by Four International Colleges and Universities, an international higher education search engine and directory reviewing accredited Universities and Colleges in the world, placed FUTO 16 out of the 144 universities in the country.
“Similarly, the Africa University and Higher Institution Ranking 2015 based on research publications and citations conducted by Journals Consortium ranked FUTO 71 in Africa”.
Transportation challenges at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) are easing as the institution has flagged off six 57-seater buses for its staff.
The Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Chigozie Asiabaka inaugurated the vehicles.
Prof Asiabaka said the buses will convey members of staff from their homes in any part of the state to the school every day.
He said this will save them the huge cost of fuelling and maintaining their private cars, which they hitherto overuse to meet the ever increasing demands of their job.
While commissioning the buses, the VC noted that were purchased with funds from the Special Intervention of Tertiary Education Fund (TETFUND), adding that delivery of the buses were taken some months ago.
He said that the drivers who will operate the vehicles have been given months of rigorous training to ensure that they are adequately prepared for the job, considering the safety of the members of staff.
According to him, two additional buses of the same capacity will arrive soon to add to the fleet.
He disclosed that the buses will take off at designated points at an agreed time every morning to ensure that workers to their offices on time.
He however said that little fares will be charged for the fuelling and maintenance of the buses.
Speaking at the event, the Director of Physical Planning Development of the institution, Ago Chikwendu, an Architect, said the drivers were taught the operation technique of the buses during the months of training.
He disclosed that the buses were air-conditioned for the convenience of all the categories of staffers, staff of the university who struggle to come to work every day either on their own private vehicles or public ones, will certainly heave sigh of relief when the buses become fully operational.”
The management of the Federal University of Technology (FUTO), Owerri, has insisted that the conferment of Professorship on the wife of the Vice Chancellor, Dr Ihuoma Asiabaka, followed due process, and was in accordance with the extant laws of the university.
Reacting to a newspaper publication in a newspaper that Dr Asiabaka’s promotion was influenced and did not follow due process, the management said Asiabaka’s appointment was subjected to internal processes as well as external assessment.
Addressing reporters at the university’s Senate chambers, the Registrar, Mr. Orje Ishegnor, Director, Academic Planning, Prof. Gibson Okorafor and Director, University Admission, Prof. Israel Chukwuemeka Ndukwe, maintained that Asiabaka’s appointment was neither induced nor influenced as she was promoted with five others.
Ishegnor said: “The university system is the most democratic in the country because you have people that are well read, very knowledgeable, very critical and independent-minded. The university is a structured society where everything must conform with the laws establishing it.
“Relevant committees sat on Prof. Asiabaka’s case, as well as that of other eligible persons.”
The management noted that Asiabaka, the director, Centre for Women and Gender Development Studies, was a senior lecturer at the Imo State University (IMSU) and was due for Associate Professorship before she joined FUTO in 2011.
“She was assessed and offered that position when she joined us in 2011. Having served as Reader or Associate Professor for three years, which is our qualified period of assessment to the next rank, her name was put forward to the Central Appraisal Committee for Professorial assessment where we established a pre-ma facie, before her papers were sent for external assessment.
“We challenge whoever wants to scrutinise her dossier to come forward for the verification. We are satisfied with the procedure we used for appointment and promotion in this university and it can stand under the most stringent scrutiny,” the management said.
To sustain its newly-introduced Global Human Resources Management programme, the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), has signed a partnership agreement with Galilee International Management Institute Israel.
Both institutions vowed to ensure students admitted into the programmes get quality training to develop manpower in human resoiurces management. FUTO has called for application from qualified candidates for consideration for admission into Master’s degree programme.
The partnership would generate ideas that will promote understanding of management science and bring about innovation, ethical standard in the profession.
Management of FUTO said the programme would go beyond basic teachings and theory to examine global case studies and focus on industries both in Africa and Middle East.
The structure of the programme is made up of five phases. The first phase comprises 14-week semester during which seven courses would be taught. The second phase will be held in Israel and instruction will focus on high-tech industries. It will last for six weeks and four courses will be taught.
Four courses will be taught in phase three, which lasts for eight weeks. Students will use the fourth phase to prepare their thesis and the final phase will witness project presentation and defence.
The Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Prof Chigozie Asiabaka, has organised a soccer competition for all departments of the institution.
It was gathered that the competition was aimed at promoting extra curricula activities on campus.
After several knock-out stages, the final match was played penultimate week by Environment Technology and Electrical and Electronic Engineering departments.
The game ended in a penalty shoot-out with Environmental Technology edging out Electrical and Electronics engineering with seven goals to six goals.
Prof Asiabaka awarded the sum of one hundred thousand naira to Electrical and Electronics Engineering deprtment while Environmentl Technology got fifty thousand naira.
Principal officers of the university attended the event including the Registrar, Mr Orje Ishegh-Nor; Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof M. C. Ofoh among others.
Iorhula Nathaniel, 200-Level, Electrical and electronics department said: “I am very happy, having EEE emerge as the best department in FUTO, in both academics and extra curricula activities”.
The pioneer Pro-Chancellor of the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO) and the traditional ruler of Ogbaland in Rivers State, Oba (Eze-Ogba), Dr. Chukumela Nnam Obi 11, has been honoured by the FUTO Chapter of the Senior Staff Association of Universities (SSANU) for his impactful leadership between 1980 and 1984.
The presentation of the distinguished award was the first in the series of activities planned to recognise the monarch.
Speaking at the event, SSANU Chairman, Mrs. Loveth Chisaa Ekwemalor, said the occasion provided an opportunity for SSANU members to celebrate an icon of inestimable quality who has changed the destinies of many for better.
She described the monarch as a legend who has made a mark in the annals of FUTO, Ogbaland, Rivers State and Nigeria.
She said: “As a mark of the union’s respect and appreciation of his Eminence, the union has decided to name the SSANU Secretariat after him. FUTO Chapter of SSANU cannot forget in a hurry the contributions the Royal father made in making FUTO what it is today.
“As products of your vision, we had thought of ways of immortalizing your name and God Almighty has given us the vision to start a befitting secretariat and to the eternal glory of God, we have after exhaustive consultations among different strata of our Union, decided to name the Secretariat after you as a sign of respect and appreciation for all you did while in FUTO.
“To others, it was a tough decision to make but to us who were very close to you, it was a simple decision because we cannot forget in a hurry what you contributed in making FUTO what it is today”.
Responding in an emotion-laden voice, the elated monarch, said that considering the humble beginning at FUTO, no amount of money could have paid him back as much as what the Union has done, noting that, “remembering of yesterday is the essence of community”.
He explained that what he cherished most in FUTO is the human capital development.
The traditional ruler commended members of SSANU for remembering him, adding that he was happy that people who have the sense of history are still in FUTO.
“I thank God for FUTO for having you. People who have the sense of history are still around. Those who do not know or appreciate history are always making mistakes. Every moment of your stay reminds me that all is not lost, there is tomorrow. Every family, community or nation has its own saviours. If only they could recognise them and honour them they will progress. But when the savior is rubbished or maligned, God will remove such savior from them and transfer them to another place”, he stated.
The Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO) has held its Students’ Union Government (SUG). The election, which was keenly contested, had 33 candidates vying for 11 posts.
The Independent Students’ Electoral Committee screened the candidates, giving 24 contestants a clean bill of health to participate in the exercise.
The manifesto was held on the eve of the election. Students came out in their numbers and gathered in front of Hall C to listen to the programmes of the aspirants.
The exercise was carried out through e-voting system but results were announced the following day.
The elected officials were led by David Onochie.
Others are Purity Chukwu, Vice-President; Prince Anusiem, General Secretary; Jane Njoku, Assistant General Secretary; Henry Nwadialor, Financial Secretary; Frances Nriaka, Treasurer; Eva Osita, Public Relations Officer; Chima Austin, Welfare Director; Michael Utonwa, Director of Transport; Sunday Olum, Director of Socials and Fabian Nnajiofor, Director of Sports.
Unless assistance comes and quickly, the life of Chisom Duruokpo, a final year Agriculture Economics student of Federal University of Technology, Owerri, is in dange. No thanks to the ongoing nationwide doctors’ strike.
Twenty-one-year-old Chisom is grappling with abdominal inflammation. Looking frail and tired, she said her predicament started late last year after successfully undergoing an appendicitis operation at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).
Curiously, a few months later, her stomach began to protrude, with an unusual sensation within her.
Looking at Chisom, one could be temptated to believe that the once-vivacious young woman was due to put to bed. But that is far from the truth. She is suffering from an ailment which doctors assured could be corrected through surgery.
Chisom, who hails from Orlu, Imo State, despite her troubles, is optimistic that she would bounce back to her former self with the help of kind-hearted Nigerians.
She manifested her determination to live when, with her excruciating health challenges, she finished her first semester examination. She had before the doctors’ strike, gone to LUTH for diagnosis.
But, sadly, while her result was being processed in a private laboratory, the doctors embarked on an indefinite industrial action. When she returned to LUTH, the hospital was as silent as a graveyard. She was advised to visit any of the private hospitals that has the capacity to handle her case.
It was at that point that the family knew that a danger was looming – lack of finance. The family members traversed many private hospitals. Unfortunately, the medical bills of those hospitals were way beyond their reach.
Her abdominal ultrasound’s report, made available to The Niche, and signed by a Consultant Radiologist, Dr Igwilo J. U. reveals that there is a large central complex mass in her stomach. The ultrasound, however, shows that her liver, both kidneys and gall bladder are normal.
“ My condition,” she managed to mutter in considerable pain, “is giving me restless nights,” describing it as a burden too heavy for her.
The medical report reads: “There is a large central complex mass displacing the viscera postero-laterally. The mass measures 380.18cm, comprising multiple nodules, cystic and necrotic tissue. There is also a gross enlargement of the ovaries by a soft tissue mass. The liver is of normal span and shows a normal homogenous echogenicity. No focal lesion is seen within it.
“The porta hepatis, veins are all normal. Both kidneys are of normal size, shape, colour and contour. No calyceal dilatation or calculus is seen in either kidney. The gall bladder, pancreas and spleen are also normal.”
Her fear and anxiety over the gradual deterioration of her health could be felt as she beseeched doctors to urgently call off the strike. Having just one semester examination to write for her to become a graduate, she also begged Nigerians to quickly come to her assistance in seeking medical treatment at a private hospital.
Except help comes quickly, she may not partake in her last examination which is already around the corner.
It is indeed a gloomy and dicey situation for Chisom as she worries over her health as well as her education at the same time.
She recounted feebly, “Some months ago, I noticed that my stomach began to swell up gradually. I told my parents and we went to LUTH for a scan. By the time the result was ready, the doctors were already on strike. We went to LUTH but there was no doctor to assess the result. I am feeling great pain at the moment, but it gets worse at night. My last exam for me to become a graduate is very close. There is no way I can concentrate on reading my books. My legs are also swollen and I only manage to walk. I am pleading with the governor of my home state of Imo, Owelle Rochas Okorocha and President Goodluck Jonathan to help me out of this painful situation. My plea also goes to all spirited Nigerians to help put smile on my face again.”
Her father, Mr. Duruokpo Ebere Paul, said the family has been to several private hospitals in search of lasting solution to his child’s ailment but is currently hampered by its financial limitations. According to him, about N2 million is being demanded to save the life of his first of
two children. He grieved that the doctors’ strike was adding to the family’s sorrow, explaining that the financial requirement wouldn’t have been that huge if clinical services were available at public hospitals.
He said N2 million was out of the family’s reach. “I was previously dealing on tailoring materials but for now, I operate a commercial tricycle, otherwise known as keke Marwa for survival. There is no way we can raise such amount of money. That is why we are using this medium to beg Nigerians to come and assist us so that my daughter can successfully finish her education and become more useful to herself and the society. She has just one semester to complete her education,” he pleaded.
For any financial or otherwise assistance, the family can be reached on 08161184471 or 08055811404. Interested individuals and groups may also send money to the Fidelity Bank account no 6016918387. The name is Duruokpo Ebere Paul.
