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Tag: MOUAU

  • MOUAU student slumps, dies during football match

    MOUAU student slumps, dies during football match

    The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), located in Ikwuano Local Government Area of Abia State, has been thrown into mourning following the sudden death of a student, Nwachukwu Omiko.

    Omiko, a student of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, reportedly collapsed while playing a casual football match with fellow students on the university’s pitch on Wednesday.

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    Eyewitnesses said efforts to revive him on the spot proved unsuccessful. He was quickly transported to the Federal Medical Centre (FMC) in Umuahia by the school authorities using the university’s ambulance.

    Tragically, medical personnel at the FMC confirmed him dead on arrival.

    The incident has left students and coursemates deeply saddened, with many expressing shock and uncertainty over whether Omiko had any known health conditions before the incident.

  • Stakeholders condemn de-listing of MOUAU courses

    Stakeholders from Ikwuano/Umuahia, have appealed against the planned de-listing of the Faculty of Management Science from the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU).

    It could be recalled that a presidential directive ordered specialised universities like MOUAU to stop further teaching of non-agricultural programmes.

    Speaking on behalf of others at Ikwuano, Onuigbo, after a stakeholders’ meeting, a lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia Federal Constituency at the National Assembly Sam Onuigbo, said the directive has made the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to delist without delay all management courses from the list of courses being offered by the university.

    Onuigbo, who doubles as Chairman of House Committee on Climate Change, appealed to the leadership of the National Assembly to mandate the Committees onTertiary Education and Services and Legislative Compliance to look into the matter.

    He said: “There is a need for all of us to come together and discuss the future of our children and the matter has to do with Presidential fiat based on the request of Ministry of Agriculture to remove courses in the management college in the Universities of Agriculture in the country.

    “During the last admissions exercise, the Federal University of Agriculture in Abia, 19,000 qualified students applied for admission, the university was able to admit just 5,590, while over 13,000 candidates were denied admission.

    “This policy is a threat to the society. The law that established the University of Agriculture makes it very clear that one of the objectives of university is teaching agriculture extension and allied disciplines. that law is still in force, the law has not changed and it has not been amended”.

    Onuigbo praised the Federal Government’s resolve to diversify the economy through agriculture and the very important role the universities of agriculture, especially MOUAU has played in that direction.

  • Emefiele hands over 2011 intervention project to MOUAU

    Emefiele hands over 2011 intervention project to MOUAU

    Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele has handed over the bank’s 2011 intervention project, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development building, to Michael Okpara University of Agriculture at Umudike (MOUAU), Abia State.

    The project was designed for the Southeast zone.

    Emefiele urged Abia residents and other people in the Southeast to use the centre well to enable them develop their skills.

    The CBN governor, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Mr. Oluwole Owoeye, described the project as part of the bank’s corporate and social responsibility (CSR) to the zone’s residents.

    He said the Entrepreneur Development Centre (EDC) was designed to develop skills – small and medium scale enterprise (SMEs).

    Emefiele said: “In Nigeria, we realised that for now, there is a dearth of skills and people don’t have relevant skills.

    “So, the essence of this thing is for people to develop skills in various areas so that they can be independent as well as help to develop the skills of others after they must have sharpened their own skills.”

    The CBN chief added: “This one is the project the bank has developed for the Southeast. I want to appeal is Abians and other parts of Southeast to leverage and take advantage of this centre to develop their skills.

    “We know that Aba is well known for a lot of SMEs. So, I want to use this medium to appeal to the people in Aba, its environs and other parts of Abia State to patronise this centre so that we will build up their skills…”

  • MOUAU matriculates 5,615 students

    The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, (MOUAU) in Abia State has sworn in 5,615 students admitted into various academic programmes of the university for the 2016/2017 academic session.

    Its Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Francis Otunta, said at the 24th matriculation that the figure covers the university’s quota of 4,300 plus a 30 per cent attrition value decided by the Senate.

    Otunta expressed delight that despite the closure of some departments by the National Universities Commission (NUC), the institution was able to fill its quota.

    He said that it was also gratifying that the university’s admission process was adjudged as one devoid of racketeering and other unwholesome practices, unlike what it used to be in the past.

    The VC said that the institution was rapidly, evolving as a centre of excellence, where training, research and community service were pursued to achieve national development.

    He charged the new students to abide by the rules and guidelines of the university and be focused on their studies.

    Otunta said, “Our programmes and curricula are well structured and designed to bring to fore, the creative genius in you to enable you maximise your potentials, therefore, your duty is to avail yourselves of such a unique opportunity by regular attendance of lectures.”

    The VC warned the students against unbridled freedom and anti-social behaviour such as cultism.

    “However, this freedom is exercised within the ambit of the regulations governing the university which you are not expected to abuse or the university disciplinary measures will be evoked,” he said.

    “Cultism is a social menace that has eaten deep into the fabrics of the society, which also served as a breeding ground for criminal elements in society and we will not allow such to destroy the image of our university.

    “Shun cultism, our university has no space, no place and no tolerance for cultists and cultism in its entirety, including indecent dressing by students, we have put measures to enforce the institution’s dress code,” he said.

    He said that the university was also taking steps to check prostitution among the female students, called “runs”, which he said students engaged in for pecuniary interest or to hoodwink the lecturers into awarding undeserved marks.

  • 5,000 freshers take oath at MOUAU

    5,000 freshers take oath at MOUAU

    •Prof Edeoga
    •Prof Edeoga

    The Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, (MOUAU) Abia State, has matriculated about 5000 newly-admitted students with the Vice Chancellor (VC) Prof Hilary Edeoga charging them to live above board while in the school.

    He said the university has zero tolerance for cultism, examination malpractices, forgery, rape, prostitution and other anti-social vices and would not hesitate to expel anyone caught carrying out such vices.

    Speaking during the matriculation, Edeoga whose administration ends next month, counselled the students to face their studies if they want to get the best out of the university.

    “It will benefit you to read your books which is the reason behind your being here instead of engaging in unholy behaviours,” he said.

    Edeoga said the school has been doing well in the last five years because of the zero tolerance for anti social vices.

    “Let me remind you that this university has zero tolerance for all forms of anti-social behaviours, ranging from examination malpractices, forgery of any kind, extortion, gangsterism, cultism, armed robbery, prostitution, indecent dressing, and the rest of other societal ills,” he said.

    Edeoga attributed the success of his tenure to the cooperation from management and workers and students and urged them to extend same to his successor.

    He said there have been unprecedented achievements in all areas of university life aimed at making the environment suitable for learning and research.

    He said facilities provided during his tenure include, four 2,600 and 10 400-capacity hostel, generators, modern libraries, laboratories and classrooms, which helped to increase the institution’s carrying capacity from 1,350 in 2011 to the over 5,000 presently. He also said student population increased substantially during his tenure.

    He also said his administration improved academic discipline and increased the number of academic and non teaching staff in order to satisfy students’ requirement for effective study.

    The VC, who is the fourth at MOUAU, said in recognition of its deployment of various Information Communication Technology (ICT) platforms in teaching, research and learning, the university was among the first 10 selected by the Federal Ministry of Education last year.

    “It is our belief that the education and training which you will receive from this university will equip you for the challenges inherent in the global society.

    “Our curricular in the different course of studies are structured in such a way to make you not only self employable but also job and wealth creators on graduation,” he said.

     

  • MOUAU VC gives cars to deans

    The Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Prof Hillary Odo Edeoga has inaugurated 11 new Toyota Corolla cars for the deans of various colleges.

    He said though there are 14 colleges in the university, the three outstanding deans would have their cars delivered to them soon.

    Edeoga said since he assumed duties, his administration has priortised students’ welfare; hence the introduction of campus shuttles for the students.

    Handing over the car keys, Edeoga told the deans that the cars are not for their personal use but for the various official duties.

    Edeoga said the cars are part of the infrastructural and human capital development that are on going in the university despite limited resources available.

    He said his administration has provided five new Hyundai buses and 45 Kia and Hyundai cars to serve as campus shuttles to ease transportation within and outside the institution.”

    He gave the cost of each Toyota Corolla cars as N3.6 million and after insurance and registration, tracking system installation, it came to N4.2 million each, which came to a total of N46.2 million.

    Edeoga urged said the cars will not be assigned to any particular

  • Angry MOUAU students set bus ablaze over death of their colleague

    Angry MOUAU students set bus ablaze over death of their colleague

    Angry students   of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike [MOUAU] on Monday went on rampage and set ablaze an Akwa Ibom State transport commercial  vehicle that crushed to death a female student of the university.

    The first year female student was alleged to be going back to her hostel after the days’ lectures when the bus knocked her down in front of the university gate where she was standing waiting to board a cab to her place of abode.

    According to an eye witness who said that the female student was waiting for a friend of hers who had gone across the road to make some purchases when the accident occurred following the recklessness of the driver.

    It was alleged that the bus, which was  on high speed lost control and swerved towards  the  university where  it hit the  female student who was said to have died almost instantly from the impact of the vehicle on her.

    Angered by the sudden death of their colleague who killed by the careless mistake of the driver, the students on the  spur of the moment  set ablaze the vehicle even as the Driver of the bus was said to have escaped un hurt and possibly ran to the police to report the incident.

    It is a known case that the drivers of the Akwa Ibom state transport company are known for their recklessness on the road, as they have been knocking down pedestrians on the ever busy Ikot Ekpene-Umuahia road and running away.

    Some road users who commented on the unfortunate incident lamented the excessive speed and recklessness of the Akwa Ibom Transport Corporation drivers, which had led to many fatal accidents along the Umuahia – Ikot Ekpene  road.

    A student who spoke on the condition of anonymity on the accident called on the federal Ministry of Works or even the University authorities to erect speed barriers within 500 metres from the school to reduce the speed  of the reckless drivers and to avoid
    future occurrences.

    When contacted the Public Relations Officer [PRO] of the University Mrs Onyinyechi Ralph-Nwachukwu confirmed the incident to  journalists and regretted the accident that led to the death of one of theirstudents.


    Reacting to the incident, the Abia state Police Public Relations officer [PPRO] ASP Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the story and described the accident which led to the death of the student as unfortunate.

    Ogbonna said that the police is investigating the cause of the accident while the vehicle has been removed to stop obstruction of the road and prevent another accident from happening, stressing that leaving it there could cause further accident.

  • Lecturers not superior to administrators, says VC

    Lecturers not superior to administrators, says VC

    The Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike [MOUAU], Prof Hillary Edeoga, has challenged administrators in the institution to be the bridge between the academia and the students with the mind to create an atmosphere of mutual existence.

    Edeoga said administrators are equal to the academic staff in any university as they are equal stakeholders in the institution, stressing that none of the sections in any university could exist without the other.

    Speaking at the university during the induction ceremony of the Association of Nigerian University Professional Administrators [ANUPA], Prof Edeoga said he was one VC that did not believe in the superiority of the teaching staff.

    He said, “I am one vice chancellor of a university that does not believe that any arm of the university community, like the teaching staff, is superior to other members of staff, the driver in my office, cleaners, gardeners and other workers are equal stakeholders in this university community.”

    He recalled that during the prolonged strike by the university lecturers, it was the administrators that helped the university to conduct post UME examinations. “Without you people, we would not be having first year students, so you are as important as any other group.”

    The VC told them that he has a lot of confidence in their ability in ensuring that the university attains the standard it is meant to.

    He assured them of his support at all times, adding that he has approved the study leave-with-pay for two of their members to go abroad to do their masters programme, while efforts are being made to ensure that they reach the peak of the chosen career like their counterparts in other areas.

    Earlier in her address, the chairman of ANUPA MOUAU chapter, Mrs. Ukamaka Atulomah, thanked the VC for his support for the association and his transformation programmes in the university, adding that his support made their members to attend last year’s annual conference.

    Atulomah expressed thanks to the newly employed administrators for their keen interest and said, “For the avoidance of doubt, ANUPA is a professional association and it is neither a union nor a social club, which is the reason we emphasise professional issues over and above other matters.”

    In his speech, the National President of ANUPA, Sam Nwansat, who was represented by the national vice president, Okey Ikegbunam, said that since they arrived the school, he had taken a tour of the institution and was amazed at the rapid transformation that was going on in the university.

     

     

     

    In her reaction, the Assistant Registrar, Information, Mrs. Onyiye Ralph-Nwachukwe, who was among those inducted, described the day as one in which the administrators hold dear and pledged that it will make them to work harder to improve the standard of the institution.