The Nation Newspaper

Tag: maiden

  • Maiden inaugural lecture holds at IBBU

    Maiden inaugural lecture holds at IBBU

    An epidemiological study has revealed that food items of either plant or animal origin consumed by human beings are considered to be continually contaminated by high levels of toxins produced by fungi, which are also seen as carcinogenic.

    A professor of Biochemistry at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida University (IBBU), Lapai, Prof Timothy Gbodi, made the revelation while delivering the maiden inaugural lecture of the institution. The lecture was titled Mycotoxins: Are they the silent killer?

    Gbodi called for multi-sectorial mitigation strategies that would be supported by relevant public and private institutions and professionals in the field of plant and animal agriculture and to be coordinated by a single entity with the view to remove contaminants from food.

    He urged the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) to ensure that standards were stuck to on imported foods and those for local consumption. He challenged all tiers of governments to look critically into technology research in Nigeria to make the country safer for the rich and poor.

    Prof Gbodi appreciated God for sparing his life and for making him the first lecturer to deliver the institution’s maiden inaugural lecture. He said he never thought he could stumble into academics, but added he later realised that God had a plan for those who trusted in him.

    The Visitor and the special guest of honour, Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, represented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Dr Nuhu Bashir, commended the management of the institution for successfully hosting the lecture.

    He said the government was doing its best to ensure of realisation the vision 3:20:20 of the Aliyu administration. Bashir disclosed that concerted efforts were being made by the government to establish Faculty of Medical Sciences to boost the production of health professionals and improve health care delivery in the state.

    The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Adamu Kolo, in his remarks decried the attitude of some development agencies and manufacturing industries for not utilising research findings by scholars to fast-track the country’s development. He said in an effort to fulfill its mandates, IBBU staff and students had been encouraged to pursue researches in critical areas that were of immediate benefits to the state and the country.

     

  • Dept holds maiden conference

    Dept holds maiden conference

    SCHOLARS gathered, last week, for the maiden conference of the Department of Foreign Languages, University of Benin (UNIBEN).

    The opening ceremony took place in the Banquette Hall on the Ugbowo campus of the institution.

    The conference with the theme: French studies in the 21st century was attended by the Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who was represented by Mr S.K. Momodu; former Deputy Director of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Prof Noureini Tijani-Serpos; UNIBEN Vice-Chancellor, Prof Osayuki Oshodin, who was represented by his deputy, Prof Hilda Okojie; Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof Victor Omozuwa and Dean of Faculty of Arts, Prof O. A. Ofuani.

    Others were the convener, Prof Kester Echenim, Prof Cyril Mokwenye, Prof Raymond Elaho and Dr Ngozi Iloh, all lecturers.

    Prof Echenim said the conference was informed by the uniqueness of French studies to the human history. He said: “What you know some years ago may be relevant in the nearest feature. So, through our deliberations in the course of the conference, we want to ensure that participants understand what their options are, especially our areas of specialisation.”

    In his address, Prof Oshodin praised the efforts of the department over the years in promoting academic excellence in French language. He enjoined students to tap from the knowledge of highly skilled and erudite professors in the department.

    Prof Ofuani noted that French was becoming an added advantage in many organisational circles, adding that the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies had introduced French in its curriculum to create more opportunities for students.

    The conference which lasted for a week had discussants talking on French and the labour market, French translation and interpretation in the global world, French and cultural dialogue, Literature in French and literary criticism and the Various faces of the French language.

    In his remark, the host and Head of Foreign Languages Department, Dr A.S. Moye, appreciated the team of scholarly tutors, who impacted knowledge on the students during the conference.

    He said: “Our efforts have continued to yield fruits. Last year, our student beat students from other African countries to win the poetry contest in Lome, Togo during the mandatory language immersion programme. We also hold the record as our students equally emerged overall best in African literature in French expression the same year.”

     

  • Union holds maiden week

    The ACE Provost, Prof Idowu has praised the College branch of Senior Staff Union in Colleges of Education, Nigeria (SSUCOEN) for its achievement in past years.

    The Provost represented by the College Librarian, Dr Rotimi Egunjobi observed that the cooperation the Management received from the union in the past shows they are partners in progress.

    He also praised the effort of the union for its building project.

    Activities to mark the week included a Health talk by the Medical Director, General Hospital, Ile-Oluji, Dr. Johnson Akintimehin.

    Akintimehin treated the topic: Hypertension and Diabetes: Causes, Treatment and ways of Preventing Such Life Threatening Diseases. The week also featured a novelty match between the female football team of SSUCOEN and the female team of the COEASU. The SSUCOEN female team won the 30 minutes match by a lone goal. The male team of the SSUCOEN also entered a duel with the male team of the Non Academic Staff Union which ended in a draw.