The Nation Newspaper

Tag: National Universities Commission

  • Nigerian varsities not ranked in 14 years – NUC

    The National Universities Commission has said that it had not ranked the nation’s universities in the last 14 years, and declared that claims to that effect were “simply fake’’.

    Prof. Abubakar Rashid, its Executive Secretary, in an address at the 3rdCombined Convocation of the Bingham University, Karu in Nasarawaa State, urged members of the public to disregard recent rankings said to have been done by the NUC.

    “The purported ranking published in the conventional and social media is false, fake and not from the NUC. It is meant to deceive members of the public and should be disregarded,’’ Rashid said.

    Rashid, however, said that the NUC would soon carry out the ranking to determine the true status of the universities, adding that the exercise would represent a true assessment of the schools by the NUC.

    He challenged Nigerian universities to put more efforts into research so as to proffer solutions to the nation’s myriad of problems.

    The NUC boss commended ECWA Church, the proprietor of Bingham University, for tackling the crises that hit the school some years ago, and even led to students’ unrest.

    He particularly commended the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Prof William Barnabas Qurix, for successfully steering the school through its “turbulent moments’’, saying that the NUC was impressed with his capacity to always “listen to wise counsel’’.

    Read Also: NUC boss lauds KolaDaisi varsity

    “Such efforts have set the university on the path of progress and massive growth. The institution is back on track and the dark days are now in the past. It has become a centre of excellence and we are all happy,’’ he said.

    Rashid said that he was part of “a clique’’ that “conscripted’’ Qurix into the job because he was sure that his five years’ experience as Vice Chancellor of the Kaduna State University would help him to addresses the challenges.

    “Prof. Qurix was conscripted into this job. He was practically `ambushed’ and I was at the thick of that plot. I am happy that we have not been disappointed,’’ he said.

    The News Agency of Nigeria reports that 676 graduates received first degrees during the combined convocation with 33 of them bagging First Class.

    NAN

  • UNIBEN under Orumwense’s watch

    The University of Benin was founded in 1970. It started as an Institute of Technology and was accorded the status of a complete University by National Universities Commission (NUC) on July 1,1971.

    Intently, the change of name was formally announced from the Institute of Technology to the University of Benin On 1st April, 1975.

    The University at the request of the state government was taken over by the Federal Government and became a Federal University.

    Since it was established, the University has continued to stir higher with a number of Faculties, Departments, Institutes and Units.

    Having produced nine (9) substantive vice chancellors through its profile, in their own rights they have all showcased their identities in their developmental parlance to sum up their performances during their tenure.

    Ascribing credits to the vice chancellors of the past and now should not be out of place.

    But the fulcrum of this context is to flip through the performances in four years stewardship of the incumbent, Professor Faraday Osasere Orumwense.

    Prof. Faraday Osasere Orumwense  is a Nigerian and an academic author, a professor of mechanical engineering.

    He is the ninth substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin, Edo State .

    He was appointed by the former Governor of Edo State, Adams Oshiomole .

    The appointment of the new Vice Chancellor which takes effect from first December, 2014 was made by the Governing Council of the University led by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Senator Dickson Bob.

    He takes over from Prof. Oshodi who served excellently well

    Since his appointment, professor orumwense has exhibited qualities of a reputable successor churning out parameters of project.

    In his first year as vice chancellor, he made known his cardinal drives and soon complements the efforts of his predecessor with a view to do more.

    Orumwense was very clear on employees’ and students’ welfare in his first appearance as the university gaffer, saying it was a major factor to improve on.

    Since his stewardship as Vice-Chancellor in the last four years, there has been rapid development across various strata of the university.

    The primacy of peace in any given environment cannot be overemphasised, as it remains an important ingredient in the realisation of an organisation’s goals and objectives.

    The former Dean of Students, Prof Francis Osagiede in one of his statement harps on Prof Orumwense’s visionary leadership thus: “Orumwense has matched words with action as the administration placed huge premium on the welfare of staff and students. To this end, the administration remains committed to regular promotion of staff as at when due with their entitlement paid.

    “Our pensioners are not left out as we remain committed to their welfare.

    The administration is also leaving no stone unturned to create a befitting environment for learning. In pursuance of this, the administration has put in place an up to-date routine maintenance of existing public utilities on campus.”

    The administration in its effort to strengthen the committee system of university administration successfully conducted the 2015 congregation election, where members of staff were elected into various committees for the smooth running of the university.

    The issue of Cultism and other associated vices have been reduced to the barest minimum with the increase level of security surveillance made possible through the procurement of six patrol vehicles by this administration.

    The VC said: “I am happy to inform you that students now sleep with their two eyes closed and are also not afraid to go about their lawful academic and extra-curricular activities without fear of molestation.”

    The state of ICT Platforms in University of Benin has improved tremendously following series of upgrades to international standard.

    In his address on the occasion of the 44th convocation and 48th Founder’s day ceremony Prof. Orumwense enumerated some of the visibly executed projects.

    Addressing the congregation, Orumwense described the event as “outstanding landmark event” which was the fourth successive of his tenure since he was giving the opportunity in 2014 to lead the lines.

    “It is with great joy, gladness of heart and gratitude to the Almighty God that I stand to welcome you to this outstanding landmark event of the 44th Convocation & 48th Founder’s Day ceremony, the fourth so far in my tenure as Vice-Chancellor of our great university, the University of Benin.

    I use this opportunity to express my deep gratitude to the Almighty God for making this year’s founder’s day lectures of the University of Benin a huge success”, he enthused.

    Expressing optimisms while enumerating some of his achievements, Orumwense, stressed that infrastructural development and renewal remain a cardinal goal of the strategic vision of his administration.

    He added that the provision of critical infrastructure remains a crucial issue in universities ranking.

    Professor Orumwense maintained that projects for commissioning during the period include constructed and furnished female hostel; Centre for excellence in reproductive health innovation office building lecture halls/seminar rooms and teaching laboratory for Faculty of Pharmacy, Faculty of Environmental Sciences Studio, Faculty of Veterinary Laboratory and the newly completed and furnished library complex at Ekehuan Campus.

    Orumwense asserted that the instruction’s Public Private Partnership engagements have also yielded some dividends and that the university has entered into Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and agreements with some bodies.

    These include a collaborative agreement with the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) on the designation of the university as a centre for the training of future accounting professionals and national leaders.

    Exchange and linkages agreement with the National Space Research and Development Agency(NASRDA) and the exchange and linkages agreement with the University of Mississipi, USA.

    On the graduating students, he gave a breakdown that clearly shows that 100 graduands would be awarded First Class; 1843 would be awarded Second Class Upper; 4607 would receive Second Class Lower; 1351 would be awarded Third Class and 1 aegrotat.

    Others are Diploma-188; Certificates-2; Unclassified-527; Postgraduate Diploma (PGD)-152; Masters-1120 and Doctorate (Ph.D)-102 making it 9,993 graduands.

    Orumwense is not an ingrate who will soon forget supports on the road to achieving success.

    His unprecedented breakthroughs has been attributed to the dogged and sustained support of the Governing Council, Senate, Staff, Students and our Alumni Body Worldwide, inspite of the prevalent economic challenges to retain their enviable position at the top

    He said, “we have remained innovative, the most sought after and a very high profile university in this part of the world.

    Orumwense also single out an industrialist who have contributed to human capacity development thus; “I am elated to welcome our lecturer, a delectable personality, an astute entrepreneur who sits as the chairman and helm’s man over a number of financial and investment institutions within and outside Nigeria.

    A worthy Alumnus of the great University of Benin, Mr Aigboje AIG-Imoukhuede (CON) who will deliver the founder’s day lecture on the topic:” It’s all about human capital.

    I am most convinced that he has a lot of information and knowledge to share today that will be of supreme benefit to us as individuals and as a nation in general.

    The appointment of professor Faraday Osasere Orumwense has further strengthened the institutional capacities of the University of Benin, thereby living his finger prints boldly engraved in legendary ornamental brooch.

  • Again, FG, ASUU meeting deadlock

    One month after it embarked on an industrial action, the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) is not returning to the class room soon as the meeting between the leadership and Federal Government has again ended in a deadlock.

    The meeting which took place at the Ministry of Education failed to resolve the issue raised by the union which includes reconstruction of the committee to renegotiate the agreement between the union and government among others.

    Read Also:Education stakeholders call for dialogue to end ASUU strike

    The union embarked on the strike on November 4 over the poor funding of Nigerian universities and non-implementation of previous agreements by the government.

    National President of ASUU, Prof Biodun Ogumyemi told newsmen after the meeting that both sides were yet to arrive at a compromise.

    He said “For now, we have started to discuss, we are yet to reach any concrete decision. Once we have more information, we will make ourselves available to the press.”

    Ogumyemi said the meeting will reconvene very soon to continue negotiations, but was not definite.

    The government’s representative at the meeting included the education minister, Adamu Adamu; the permanent secretary of the education ministry, Sunny Echono; a representative of National Universities Commission and a representative from the National Income, Wages and Salaries Commission.

    The government had issued a no work no pay directive to Vice Chancellor’s but withdrew at the last minute.

  • Operation collect your certificate at LASU

    The Lagos State University (LASU) is now issuing certificates to graduates, mostly of its rested external campus system (part-time programme). The graduates have until January 1, next year to collect the 32,522 certificates in university’s possession or pay a fine. Graduates share their challenging experience working without certificates. KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE, FLORENCE UDOH and ADERONKE SONAIKE report.

    Since the Lagos State University (LASU) resolved last month to release 32,522 certificates in its possession, its graduates have been flocking the institution’s Ojo campus for collection.

    Once they pay the N5,000 processing fee, provide evidence of non-indebtedness, notification of results, final clearance and other necessary documents, their certificates were released to them.  Though the process has not been without hitches – as many graduates complained about the stress they are going through – they were relieved to get their certificates years after graduation.

    Many of those collecting their certificates are products of the LASU external system programme – which ran campuses in various parts of Lagos State between 2002 and 2017 when the National Universities Commission (NUC) banned the programme and directed the university to operate Open and Distance Learning (ODL) mode of education instead for those who seek to combine work with studies.

    When the centres were in operation, it was a herculean task for students to get their results not to talk of certificates.

    Two former Vice-Chancellors of the university, Prof Lateef Hussain (2005-2010) and Prof John Obafunwa (2010-2015) complained about the pile of backlog of certificates they had to sign daily.

    However, when he came on board last year, Prof Lanre Fagbohun tackled the problem headlong. He set up a task force set up to sort out the issues relating to backlog of results.  This task force identified students who had fulfilled all requirements for graduation; those with outstanding courses; those that had abandoned their studies;and those not offered admission.

    The exercise helped in clearing the backlog of non-processed results and issuance of certificates.  The institution has set up special office to attend to the disbursement of the certificate weekdays until January 1, 2019.

    The Principal Assistant Registrar/Head, Certificate Unit, Mr Olabode Akinrimade, told The Nation that hundreds of candidates had come forward since the campaign started on November 12.

    He said: “A good number of them come around on a daily basis to collect their certificates. But the truth of the matter is that we still have this much in our custody which should not be and that is why the university management thought it wise to go about this exercise publishing it on its website and also running some jingles on some radio stations within Lagos to ensure that the attention of our graduates are brought to this situation that we are in. I will still want to implore them to please come and pick their certificate.”

    Even if the graduates do not have all documents required to claim their certificate the Principal Assistant Registrar said they would get help at the unit.

    He said: “The current administration has tried to put in place some measures to attend to graduates that  are unable to produce all these documents we are talking about.   If a graduate misplaces his clearance, final clearance certificate he could go and swear to an affidavit provided he has a notification of result, provided the university can establish that yes he indeed graduated which we can confirm from our convocation list and through his academic records by way of his academic profile.  All these documents are in our custody.”

    Akinrimade said the institution would convince the world that certificates are now ready on time in LASU.

    “The painful part of all this is what we hear especially from the news of our graduates complaining of not getting their certificates, so we are, by this exercise, trying to confirm that LASU as at today is able to make available the certificates of our graduates as when due,” he said.

    He added that the N15,000 penalty coming into force after January 1, 2019 was not to make money for the institution but to encourage graduates to come up for their certificates.  He said perhaps more graduates would be motivated to apply for their certificates if the institution stops the issuance of notification of results, which he said has a lifespan of two years.

    “A penalty fee of #15,000 seems punitive in the sense that yes they will pay N5,000 if they come on time and N15,000 later. So the N15,000 is actually to get them to come forward and pick this thing and not because the university management intends to make money. But the idea is to ensure that they should come forward and on time to take their certificate from the university

    “We are considering a situation where we would stop issuing notification of result. Notification of result has a life span of two years and after two years or before the expiration of that two years, we expect  a graduate to have approached the university to pick his certificate but our experience is that once they obtain their notification of results, and probably get jobs or are engaged in one form of endeavour or the other, they do not come back for the certificate and that is what has led to the this. So I believe if we stop the issuance of the notification of result, it would prompt graduates to come forward to pick their certificates as and when due,” he said.

    But Notification of Results has not served many of the graduates who collected their certificates when The Nation visited the university at various times last week well. They lamented loss of jobs, demotion, and loss of further education opportunities all because they did not have their certificates.

    Asagba Omorigbo Mary, who graduated in 2009 said she could not pursue further studies abroad because of an error on her notification of results and transcript and lack of certificate.

    She said: “I had issues with transcript because there was a mistake in the notification of my result.  My name were not correct, so I wrote a letter to the Exam Director, they made the correction and gave me my notification of result in my correct name. Later I did a transcript for revaluation in United Kingdom [UK] and by the time they sent my notification of result to UK, the names were not correct which means they did not correct the mistake in my profile, so it could not be used because it did not match my passport and they rejected it and my application for visa was suspended.

    “I almost wrote a letter to the Vice Councellor because some people working in the Exam Director Unit are very rude, impatient, they talk to you anyhow, they shout at you they bully you until I found a friendly one that helped me,” she said.

    Are Fausat Omoniyi, graduated in 2011 and since then could not get a job because she did not have a certificate.

    “I graduated in 2011.  I studied Business Administration.  I am doing nothing for now due to lack of certificate.  I tried collecting it before now but they did not attend to us. Anywhere I went to look for work they will ask for my certificate and since I did not have anything to showcase, I was not employed,” she said.

    One graduate of Banking and Finance who did not want to be named, said he lost his job because he had no certificate.

    “Where I worked before I was sacked. My certificate really affected me. It affected my job and it also delayed my promotion before I was laid off,” he said.

    Olukanni Kehinde Samuel, a Computer Science graduate since 2012, said the certificate would prove to his employers that he indeed studied Computer Science.

    “Of course I was pressurised at my work place. I have been pressing for this certificate since last year because of the company has been asking me to show my certificate.

    “There was even a time that a lawyer came to the company and that was when I had to push seriously for the certificate. We had one litigation issue then so the lawyer was now asking me the course I studied and my certificate. It was like they didn’t believe that I went to school or have a certificate. But now that  I have it, it is enough evidence to prove to them,” he said.

    Olawoye Abiola, a graduate of Economics Education (2014) said she has not had issues in the job market because she was self-employed.  She expressed joy getting her certificate.

    “I am self-employed and I am happy to have my certificate because it is unlike before that you will have to wait for like four or five years before you will get it. I applied for certificate April this year and I got it this year,” she said.

  • Ondo Varsity graduates 5,252

    The Vice Chancellor, Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba-Akoko (AAUA) Prof Igbekele Ajibefun, has said 5,252 students would graduate for the 2016/2017 academic session today and tomorrow.

    He said this during a press conference ahead of the eighth convocation of the university.

    Of the lot, Ajibefun said at the 8th convocation press conference that 5,101 would graduate with first degrees; 39, with master’s degree; 108, postgraduate diplomas, and four Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D).

    Ajibefun added that 31 earned First Class; 1,132 Second Class (Upper Division); 3,143 got Second Class Lower Division, 773 graduated with Third Class while 22 had pass degree.

    Speaking on the institution’s ICT growth, Ajibefun said: “The university has fully embraced and adopted ICT-driven administration in all areas, including e-students’ registration, e-payment, e-transcript requests, e-clearance as well as e-voting for students’ union election.”

    This he said had improved efficiency in the university.

    Ajibefun, who noted that the institution forged ahead despite all challenges, said donations, relationship with staff, alumni support, infrastructural development, award and recognition sustained the excellence of the university.

    Others are the integrity of academic programmes – with 100 per cent accreditation by the National Universities Commission (NUC), staff training and development, academic and research development, and partnership and networking.

  • NUC tasks VC’s on female sexual harassment

    The Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission ( NUC ), Prof. Rasheed Adamu Abubakar, has tasked Vice Chancellors on sexual harassment of female students in the nation’s tertiary institutions.

    He said lecturers accused and found to sexually students must be made to face the music.

    The NUC boss spoke at the 33rd Conference of the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities with the theme “Revitalization of University Education in Nigeria” held at the Redeemer’s University in Ede, Osun State.

    According to him: “We must ensure that the image of our universities being dented by some few unscrupulous perpetrators of sexual harassment is protected. If this trend is allowed to continue unchecked, the future of education is bleak in Nigeria. The nation’s universities should be seen as producing graduates that can not compete favourably with their colleagues anywhere in the world.”

    Speaking further at the 4-day conference, Abubakar advised the Vice Chancellors not to restrict their research and academic collaborations to international universities but to collaborate internally with their co-universities in Nigeria and ensure that their products can complete internationally.

    Abubakar, who expressed optimism that Nigerian graduates can compete anywhere in the world, however, lamented that some international institutions find it hard to employ Nigerian doctors, engineers and other professionals.

    Read Also: Why private universities have low students enrollment – NUC

    Welcoming participants, the host and Vice-Chancellor of the Redeemer University Ede, Prof. Debo Adeyewa, who is also the current Chairman of the association, reminded his colleagues that the onus is on them to produce graduates that can compete with their contemporaries anywhere in the world.

    He said: “We therefore need to encourage ourselves by stating the fact that, the Nigerian education system is not beyond redemption. We only need a purposeful leadership, absolute commitment from all key stakeholders and a sense of urgency to turn around the education sector.

    “We are glad that the current leadership of the NUC is resolutely committed to this. His style of leadership and ongoing restructuring through the NUC is heartwarming and points to a better future for the country.

    “While the society is quick to point areas of weaknesses in our tertiary education system, we need to salute the courage, tenacity and doggedness of our able Vice Chancellors in moving the system forward in spite of the myriads of challenges confronting the ivory towers.”

  • NUC approves 20 academic Progs. Of Fed. Varsity Dutsin-Ma

    The National Universities Commission, NUC, has granted its full accreditation for 20 out of the 23 academic Programmes run by the Federal University Dutsin-Ma, in Katsina state.

    A press release which was signed by the varsity’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Habibu Garba Matazu, said the NUC’s approval notice was contained in a Technical Report and summary  obtained during the visit of the accreditation  team from the regulatory agency to the University  in December 2017.

    The release further gave full breakdown of the accredited academic programs to include: Business Management, Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture, Forestry, Food Science., English and History. Others are Education Biology, Education Chemistry, Education Mathematics and Education English.

    Also on the list of the accredited courses are Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Computer Science, Microbiology, Physics, Physics with Electronic and Sociology.

    The NUC accreditation report further showed that the remaining three academic programs namely Mathematics, Accounting and Physics Education were approved for Interim Accreditation.

    Meanwhile, with the expiration of the 6 months tern for the Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Armaya’u Bichi, expected to elapse April 1, anxiety is mounting on the next action the governing council may likely take on the matter

    The varsity’s Chief Public Relations Officer, Habibu Garba Matazu told the Nation during an exclusive interview that the best the conical could do under the circumstance is tto renew  Bich’s tern for another 6 months

    Recall that the university has been engulfed in VC’s succession crisis since the governing council announced the termination of the appointment of Professor Abdu Kaita as the Acting Vice Chancellor early February 2017 and replacing him with Professor Armaya’u Bichi also in an acting capacity

    The decision by the council however did not go down well with Professor Kaita who dragged it to the federal industrial court in Kano and obtained an injunction restraining it from appointing a substantive Vice Chancellor.

    Investigation by the Nation revealed that the varsity is presently at crossroads over a new Vice  Chancellor as the process leading to  a new appointment have been stalled by the court order with  Bichi ‘s term due to expire this April

     

  • AAU records 100% NUC accreditation

     

    Authorities of the Edo State owned university, the Ambrose Alli University (AAU), Ekpoma, said it recorded 100 per cent accreditation of its courses in the latest accreditation exercise carried out by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    It said out of the 20 programmes assessed by the NUC accreditation team, 18 were accorded full accreditation while two got interim accreditation.

    Spokesman for the university, Mr. Edward Aihevba, in a press statement said listed the programmes with full accreditation to include English, French, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Industrial and Production Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Educational Management.

    Others are Guidance and Counselling, Education Economics, Physical Education, Technical Education, Chemistry, Computer Science, Industrial Chemistry, Industrial Mathematics and Mathematics.

    Aihevba said Agricultural Education and Statistics were programmes accorded  interim accreditation.

    He said the NUC accreditation team visited the university between November and December last year to assess its programmes.

    Aihevba noted that the feat was an indication that the university had attained the highest academic standard prescribed by the NUC in the programmmes visited.

    “By this 100 per cent performance, Ambrose Alli University has attained the highest academic standard prescribed by the NUC in the programmes visited.

    “Full accreditation denotes that the university is qualified to run the programmes for the next five years, while interim accreditation means the programme can be run for the next two years before another visit will be due.”

     

  • UNIBEN… X-raying a 48-year-old

    The University of Benin (UNIBEN) is one of Nigeria’s first generation federal universities. It was founded in 1970. It started as an Institute of Technology and was accorded the status of a full-fledged university by the National Universities Commission (NUC) on 1 July 1971.

    In his budget speech in April 1972, the then Military Governor of Mid-Western State, Col. S. O. Ogbemudia (also Visitor to the University) announced the change of the name of the Institute of Technology to the University of Benin. On 1 April, 1975, the university at the request of the state government was taken over by the Federal Government and became a Federal University. Since the inception of the institution, it has produced eight substantive Vice chancellors.

    Prof Faraday Osasere Orumwense on November 30, 2014 assumed office as the 9th substantive Vice-Chancellor of the University of Benin. Prior to his appointment as Vice-Chancellor of the University, he had over two decades of experience in university administration in various capacities, including his appointment by the Edo State government as pioneer Rector of the Institute of Management and Technology, Usen.

    Since his stewardship as Vice-Chancellor in the last three and a half years, there has been rapid development across various strata of the university. The primacy of peace in any given environment cannot be overemphasised, as it remains an important ingredient in the realisation of an organisation’s goals and objectives.

    Orumwense was very clear on employees’ and students’ welfare in his first appearance as the university gaffer, saying it was a major factor to improve on.

    The former Dean of Students, Prof Francis Osagiede harps on Prof Orumwense’s visionary leadership thus: “Orumwense has matched words with action as the administration placed huge premium on the welfare of staff and students. To this end, the administration remains committed to regular promotion of staff as at when due with their entitlement paid.

    “Our pensioners are not left out as we remain committed to their welfare. The administration is also leaving no stone unturned to create a befitting environment for learning. In pursuance of this, the administration has put in place an up to-date routine maintenance of existing public utilities on campus.”

    The administration in its effort to strengthen the committee system of university administration successfully conducted the 2015 congregation election, where members of staff were elected into various committees for the smooth running of the university.

    Cultism and other associated vices have been reduced to the barest minimum with the increase level of security surveillance made possible through the procurement of six patrol vehicles by this administration.

    The VC said: “I am happy to inform you that students now sleep with their two eyes closed and are also not afraid to go about their lawful academic and extra-curricular activities without fear of molestation.”

    The state of ICT Platforms in University of Benin has improved tremendously following series of upgrades to international standard.

    “It is with a sense of fulfilment that we announce to you that the University of Benin is the first University in Nigeria to develop software independently for the Computer Based Test (CBT) for PUME/PUDE and other internal and external examinations,” he stated.

    He further explained that the Network operation Centre (N.O.C. Room) of the University has been upgraded with the support of the NCC and NUC administration to an international standard that can accommodate the 155mbps. The ICT/CRPU of the University of Benin now boasts of e-learning multimedia platform, e-Senate meetings/result presentation and hostels with fiber optics.

    Similarly, the Ekehuan campus has been linked with Network operation Centre room to improve internet services in the environment. Also, the campus now boasts of improved information technology facility, massive renovation of lecture theatres and a 24-hour library. Face-lifting and beautification of the institution, provision of new industrial borehole facility for male halls of residence situated at both Ugbowo and Ekehuan campuses, renovation of Anao Toilet facility at Hall IV male hostel at the Ugbowo Campus.

    Orumwense also saw to the provision of Methylated Spirit and Hydrogen Peroxide production unit, which is awaiting final approval to commence production but has successfully undergone a mandatory pre-assessment by the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).

    An astroturf football pitch was provided, just as the university embarked on the construction of 500-capacity female hostel, construction of golf course building, construction of safety& environmental education building, construction of an ultramodern library in college of medicine, construction of Botanical gardens research building, re-grassing of main bowl football pitch, among others.

    That the National Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) licensed the University of Benin (UNIBEN) to generate and operate a 7.5 megawatt Independent Power Plant (IPP) within its campus is also a testimony to the dynamism  of the astute academician. He also initiated different awards to reward outstanding lecturers like the Distinguished Research and Innovative Achievement Award (DRIAA) to reward researchers in the school who have carved a niche for themselves.

    The administration has attracted scholarships/research grants to staff and students of the University. As part of efforts of his administration in building capacity on ICT proficiency for both teaching, non-teaching as well as students, the CRP/ICT Unit of the University of Benin successfully held its 2017 edition of ICT Day, the second in successive years, with the theme ‘Unlimited Access to Learning for Everyone Everywhere: ICT the Rostrum’.  The lecture with the topic’ Continuous Learning, the Role of ICT: Free Online Course’ from Abuja by Dr. Joshua Attah, Director NgREN, National Universities Commission Abuja via the use of video conferencing.

    The successful launching of the Centre for Global Eco-Innovation which was done in collaboration with Lancaster University, United Kingdom attracted participants as well as goodwill messages from African Union Scientific Technical Research Commission, Nigerian Airforce, Manufacturer Association of Nigeria, Raw Material Research and Development Council, National Biosafety Management Agency, Small and Medium Enterprise Development Association of Nigeria, National Environmental Standards and Regulatory Enforcement Agency, Nigeria Meteorological Agency, Standard Organisation of Nigeria, Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board and several others.

    Under Prof Orumwense, the University of Benin has in partnership with Lancaster University (UK) and Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (Ghana) won a Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF) grant. The grant which is part of a new 225 million pounds rate of investment, aims to grow research capability to meet the challenges faced by the developing world.

    The Great Britain 6.8 million projects will be led by Lancaster University (UK), with the University of Benin and CSIR Ghana as core partners. The varsity makes history as first African University to advance to final stage of Petrobowl Championship in USA. The flag of the University of Benin was again flown very high in far-away San Antonio, Texas, USA. This is the first time in the history of the competition that an African University will advance to the final stage.

    Two of University of Benin professors have brought honour to the University by their recent appointments as Rectors of Ogwashi Uku and Oghara Polytechnics in Delta State by the Delta State government. They are Professor Stella Chiemeke of the Department of Computer Science and Professor Emmanuel Ogujor of the Department of Electrical/Electronic Engineering.

    Interestingly, Shell Petroleum Development Company is working with the University of Benin for greater development. Shell Petroleum Development Company is one partner that has expressed keen interest in the University of Benin. The current Managing Director, Mr Okunbor is a worthy alumnus of the University of Benin. The company has expressed interest in constructing an ICT Building for the University. Lately, the company has been involved in the renovation of and upgrading of facilities in the Sport Complex.

    With these feats and many more to come, the university is indeed way ahead in administrative proficiency.

     

    • Ogievba, a journalist, writes from Benin City, Edo State.

     

  • FG issues provisional licences to six new private universities

    FG issues provisional licences to six new private universities

    The Federal Ministry of Education on Tuesday issued provisional licences to the six newly established private universities.

    The Minister of Education, Malam Adamu Adamu, gave the provisional licences to the institutions in Abuja.

    The institutions are Admiralty University Ibusa in Delta, Spiritan University Neochi, Abia, Precious Cornerstone University in Ibadan, Oyo State, and Pamo University of Medica Sciences, Port Harcourt.

    Others are Atiba University in Oyo, Oyo State and Eko University of Medical and Health Sciences, Ijaniki, Lagos State.

    Adamu, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Mr Sonny Echono said the Federal Executive Council approved the take-off of the universities on December 6.

    He said that the approvals were given to the universities to provide quality education in Nigeria.

    He said the approval had increased the number of private universities in the country to 74.

    “The problems of access to quality education in Nigeria has poised serious challenges and therefore required serious efforts to address them.

    “The approval of the universities tends to address the issue of access to university education.

    Read also: FEC approves six private universities

    “Private universities in Nigeria have contributed and will continue to contribute to the development of education in the country.

    “The competition of private universities has contributed to healthy delivery within the system.

    He called on the institutions’ administrators to ensure highest standard of best practices to achieve academic excellence in their programmes.

    Earlier, the Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission ( NUC ), Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, said quality control must be strictly adhered to.

    “ With about two million candidates applying for admission into universities annually, the university system is only able to accommodate about 500,000 students yearly.

    “ And so, there is need to licence more universities to help deal with the challenge of access to education.’’

    Also, Former head of state, Gen. Abdusalami Abubakar called on Nigerians to maintain peace in the country to ensure educational development.

    Abubakar also urged universities to maintain and ensure quality education for the betterment of all Nigerians.

    He said with a total of 160 universities in Nigeria out of which 74 are private universities, 46 states and 40 federal universities, there was need to ensure peace to achieve educational development.

    He called for the engagement of the youths educationally, adding that the universities should be adequately equipped for meaningful development.

    NAN