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  • NOUN, VC get award

    NOUN, VC get award

    The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and its Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, have been honoured as the most Innovative and Transformative  vice chancellor and university in the country.

    Presenting the award, the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Universities’ Students (NANUS), Comrade Peter Bassey, said the association researched into the programmes and activities of universities in the country and their administrative heads over the years and came up with the choice of NOUN and its VC.

    His words: “Having done a thorough assessment of the private universities, public universities, conventional and non-conventional universities, a fact, which stood out remained the innovative and product-driven learning approach adopted by the National Open University of Nigeria under the leadership of Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe. For a university with less than 15,000 students enrolled prior to the Tenebe administration, the students’ population has risen to over 300, 000, thereby bringing mass literacy to the hitherto un-reached and making NOUN the largest university in Africa and one of the world’s largest open universities.

    “The e-learning facilities acquired by NOUN meet and surpass the basic standards. This in itself is a step at radically transforming the educational sector in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Indeed, today, millions of Nigerians can now boast of a university degree, thanks to the dexterity, innovative, and transformative leadership being pioneered by Prof. Tenebe at NOUN.”

  • NOUN, VC get award

    NOUN, VC get award

    The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) and its Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, have been honoured as the most Innovative and Transformative Vice Chancellor and University in the country.

    Presenting the award, the National President of the National Association of Nigerian Universities Students (NANUS), Comrade Peter Bassey, said the association researched into the programmes and activities of universities in the country and their administrative heads over the years and came up with the choice of NOUN and its VC.

    His words: “Having done a thorough assessment of the private universities, public universities, conventional and non-conventional universities, a fact, which stood out remained the innovative and product-driven learning approach adopted by the National Open University of Nigeria under the leadership of Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe as the Vice Chancellor. For a university that had less than 15,000 students enrolled prior to the Tenebe administration, the students’ population has risen to over 300, 000, thereby bringing mass literacy to the hitherto un-reached and making NOUN the largest university in Africa and one of the world’s largest open universities.

    “The e-learning facilities recently acquired by NOUN meet and surpass the basic standards. This in itself is a step at radically transforming the educational sector in line with the Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan.

    “Indeed, today, millions of Nigerians can now boast of a university degree, thanks to the dexterity, innovative, and transformative leadership being pioneered by Prof. Tenebe at NOUN. For successfully helping to reposition the educational sector, the National Association of Nigerian Universities Students has resolved at its valedictory congress to confer on Prof. Tenebe and NOUN an award as the Most Innovative and Transformative Vice Chancellor.”

  • Akeusola for NOUN’s lecture

    Akeusola for NOUN’s lecture

    A professor of Yoruba-French Comparative Linguistics, Olu Akeusola will tomorrow speak at the fifth inaugural lecture series at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).

    Akeusola, the Provost of Michael Otedola College of Primary Education (MOCPED), Epe, Lagos, will speak on: ‘Preserving Yoruba language through linguistic vaccination of comparative grammar’, at the NOUN’s national headquarters, Victoria Island Lagos. Time is 2pm.

    Before his current position, Akeusola was the Dean of Arts and Social Science of NOUN.

  • NOUN VC, others for award

    The Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof Vincent Ado Tenebe, is to be presented with the ‘Most valuable vice chancellor of the year’ award by Accolades International, a publishing company.

    Tenebe will be joining 20 others for the awards at the Nicon Luxury, Abuja for the Ninth African Icon of our Generation.

    The award is organised in collaboration with the International Centre for Comparative Leadership for Africans & Blacks in the Diaspora (a Pan African Development Organisation).

    Chairman of the awards Committee, Dr Luke Okojie, said the honour is for the beacons and agents of hope, whose zest and zeal for excellence, passion and commitment is for the progress of Nigeria and Africa.

    “Prof Tenebe will be awarded for prestigious ‘Most valuable vice chancellor of the year’. He has proven his mettle everywhere he has served and still serving, which has brought him a lot of accolades nationally and internationally. His purposeful leadership has brought monumental development to NOUN,” he said.

    Others to be awarded are Assistant Director, Project Monitoring and Supervision of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Edo State office Dr Frederick Ogbeide (Most valuable project manager of the year); as well as the Nigerian Institute of Welding (Most valuable professional institute of year).

  • Ini Edo, Desmond Elliot admitted for Law at NOUN

    Ini Edo, Desmond Elliot admitted for Law at NOUN

    Nollywood stars Ini Edo and Desmond Elliot were among scores of students matriculated, at the weekend, for various degree programmes at the National Open University, NOUN.

    According to reports, the two actors were offered admission to study Law on scholarship by the university.

    The excited actress immediately shared the good news with her fans on her Twitter page: “I feel like some 12 years ago. @desmondelliot, we are doing this for real #openuniversi-ty#lawstudent#educationist-hekeytosuccess# if we can do it, you can do it; it is never too late.”

    Ini Edo, who first obtained a diploma in Theatre Arts from the University of Uyo, also bagged a degree in English from the University of Calabar.

    Since she joined the nation’s movie industry, otherwise called Nollywood, in 2000, she has appeared in a number of award-winning flicks.

    Ini Edo, who is also a producer, is recognised for her charity, as she has reportedly donated sundry items to orphanages at different times in the past years.

    It was the same feeling of joy for Desmond Elliot, also a notable movie director, on the occasion. For some time, the rumour making the rounds is that the handsome actor is eyeing politics.  Although he has not denied the reports, he doesn’t seem to be interested in calling it quits with acting.

    However, since the news of their admission into NOUN broke, not a few have expressed doubt about the likelihood of the two Nollywood stars completing their programme, given the engaging nature of their calling: acting.

    A group of commentators also faulted the authorities of the institution for offering the actors admission on scholarship, adding that “it amounts to cheapening the admission process at the expense of others  who are genuinely seeking higher education”.

  • Humour at NOUN convocation

    Humour at NOUN convocation

    •4, 308 graduate

    For the three hours that the convocation lasted, the audience had something to laugh, whistle, cheer, clap, and wave about, most of which were caused by the National Open University (NOUN) Vice Chancellor, Prof Vincent Tenebe.

    It was the third convocation of NOUN, held at the Main Exhibition Hall 1 and 2, National Theatre, Iganmu where 4, 308 students from the Schools of Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Law, Management Sciences, and Science and Technology graduated last Saturday.

    The VC had been called to deliver his speech, but while urging the government to give opportunities to NOUN graduates, he told a story that left the audience reeling with laughter.

    He said a graduate found himself in the United Kingdom (UK), where he saw a placement for a job interview in an organisation that sells bibles. The organisation needed eloquent speakers to help market their products.

    The young man went to the organisation, stammered while telling them that he was there for the interview.

    The VC said that the interviewers said: “’No this man cannot work here,’ but the chairman of the interview panel, who is just like our Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) Executive Secretary, Prof Julius Okojie, who has given NOUN a chance, told them to give the young man a chance.

    “All those who were present for the interview spoke eloquently, just like the Joint Special Representative African Union-United Nations Mission in Dafur (UNAMID), Prof Ibrahim Gambari (NOUN convocation lecturer), except the NOUN graduate.”

    “They were all given 50 copies of the bible each to sell but the NOUN graduate came back after 10 minutes with all books sold while others were still outside, preaching to convince people to buy.”

    He said surprised, they gave him another 50 copies and again he came back with the money.

    “He sold 250 copies of the books within one hour while others had not sold any. So, Okojie told someone to follow him and see if he hid the books somewhere and presented them with his own cash.

    “The person that followed him found out that he would walk up to someone that is in a hurry and say, ‘would you pay for the copy of a bible or should I read it to you?’ as he stammers, and the person would say, ‘please just give me a copy’ and pay the $10.

    “The person went back to report that the young man had prospects. He was not just given the job; but was made head of the sales department.”

    Almost immediately the audience recovered from the amusement, the VC announced that the university had added two new centres to the institution – one for members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), and the other for the Nigeria Police – which made everyone resume the laughter, referring to the study centre for NURTW as school for agberos (touts).

    He called on the Federal Government to support the university by allowing its products to participate in the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) scheme.

    “The present practice of issuing letters of exemption to our graduands, even though appreciated, is not good enough. The National Open University of Nigeria is a full-fledged federal university, offering degree programmes as approved and accredited by the NUC, just like all other universities in Nigeria. It is therefore fair justice to allow all young Nigerians of NYSC specified age to participate in the scheme, while those above 30 years old should be given exemption letters as it is practised for all graduates from other universities in Nigeria and abroad,” he said.

    Tenebe said among the graduands were the university’s first sets of Law and Mass Communication students. He added that the institution recently established the School of Agricultural Science and School of Health Sciences.

    The VC also sought improved funding from the government as well as help for infrastructural development in the various study centres to ensure conducive learning environment for students.

    Three Nigerians, Prof Grace Alele Williams, Alhaji Muhammed Ali Kwara, and the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar were conferred with honorary degrees. However, the IG’’s award was deferred until next year because he is still in service.

    Mrs Williams, a former Vice Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN), thanked Nigerians for recognising that the young are doing good things and not forgetting the old. She was excited to see many young people and as well as older women graduating.

    The Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike said if everyone in Nigeria is educated, the fight against corruption will be easier.

    “Open and Distance Learning is a veritable tool to achieve this. We believe that with this, we can strive to be like other countries,” he said.

     

  • Tension as NOUN student found dead inside his room

    There is tension in Nnobi and environs following the sudden death of an Okada operator Uchenna Omeh reportedly found dead in his room in Ifite village Nnobi community Anambra State three days after he was released from police detention.
    But the Police Pubic Relations Officer (PPRO)  Emeka Chukwuemeka said unofficial reports had it that the man committed suicide but assured that he was yet to get the official report on the matter.
    “I have not been briefed officially on the matter but an unofficial report had it that the man committed suicide. When I am briefed I will tell you’’.
    At the scene of the incident, Omeh’s body has been removed, and the door to his room shut with all members of the compound on the run for fear of being arrested by the police to explain what they know on the incident.
    Late Omeh was also a palm fruit cutter and a student of National Open University, according to neighbours died three days after he was released from police cell under mysterious circumstances
    Omeh was a native of Abakaliki in Ebonyi State. He was said to be having a running battle with the brother of his landlord identified as Ifeanyi Nsofor before his sudden death yesterday.
    His legs were said to have been burnt severely and his body bruised even as his hands were resting as if he was battling to free himself from unseen assailants.
    His dead body was found dangling from a rope tied to the ceiling in his room at Nsofor’s Compound in Ifite Nnobi where he lives even as it was said that prior to his death Omeh and Ifeanyi had a bitter quarrel over the burning of refuse close to his window by Ifeanyi ‘s wife which allegedly made Ifeanyi to invite the police to arrest him.
    After the alleged arrest and detention, late Omeh was released Wednesday and was last seen Friday evening after taking his bath and going into his room but never woke until yesterday the alarm was raised about his lifeless body.
    But the late Omeh’s landlord brother Ifeanyi Nsofor admitted having problem with the late Omeh which led him to invite the police to arrest Omeh, explaining that he involved the police because of threat from the deceased to kill him with a cutlass.
    His words, “Yes we had a quarrel over burning of refuse. He went and carried a cutlass and threatened to kill me. I took his photograph and went to invite the police .He was arrested on Wednesday and released on Friday. I was not at home when it happened. I heard he hanged himself”, Nsofor said

  • NOUN is frustrating us

    SIR: Why is National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) deceiving us and putting our future in gloom?

    As graduates of NOUN, we have wasted a year sitting at home all in the guise of waiting for NYSC. NYSC Batch ‘B’ 2013 eluded us now batch ‘C’ is passing us by with no information from NOUN management. We can’t apply for higher degrees or job opportunity simply because we don’t possess NYSC discharge certificate or letter of exclusion from service. NOUN management should know that we are tired, aggrieved and frustrated as this is demoralizing. They should tell us the way forward and not put our future in jeopardy.

    • Abiodun M.A

    Lagos.

  • NOUN chief decries North/South education disparity

    The Vice Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof Vincent Ado Tenebe, yesterday decried the growing education disparity between the North and South.

    He said northerners have not embraced the advantage offered by NOUN to tackle their educational challenges.

    Prof. Tenebe, who addressed reporters in Kaduna, recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo enrolled in the university as a good example to Nigerians.

    He said NOUN has a lot to offer Nigerians.

    According to him, while the Lagos study centre of the institution boasts a student population of about 36,000, the Kano centre has only about 5,000 students.

    Prof Tenebe said: “There has always been this argument between Kano and Lagos regarding which state is the most populated in the country. We ask: where is this population? We also complain about the educational backwardness of the North, but we have failed to use the opportunity provided by the NOUN.”

    On former President Obasanjo, who studied a Post Graduate Diploma in Christian Theology, the NOUN Vice Chancellor said the former President was a troublesome but brilliant student.

    According to him, Obasanjo did not study as a student of the institution when he was still in office.

     

  • NOUN VC urges students to embrace distance learning

    NOUN VC urges students to embrace distance learning

    Vice-Chancellor, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe, has challenged Nigerians to embrace the Open Distance Learning (ODL) programme being offered by the university, describing it as the most convenient way of acquiring knowledge worldwide.

    Addressing fresh students at the ninth matriculation ceremony of the 2012/2013 session at the Nigerian Air Force Base’s Special Study Centre in Kaduna, Tenebe said the government decided to invest huge sums of money on the institution to provide conducive learning atmosphere for the people.

    He said: “The fact that the concept of Open and Distance Learning (ODL) is relatively new in Nigeria does not leave room for anyone to deceive or discourage you.”

    He added that courses offered by the institution have been accredited by the National Universities Commission (NUC).

    Tenebe also assured the students that NOUN has been mandated to provide functional, cost effective, flexible learning which add life-long value to quality education for all who seek knowledge.

    He said: “The second convocation of the University that took place on January, 2018 is a testimony to the standard and quality of our programmes. You are therefore counted as special and very fortunate to be part of a university that is adjudged as one of the most internationally connected in Nigeria.

    “It is interesting to let you know that your admission into this university did not come by chance but by merit. It is, therefore, very important that you utilise this great opportunity to actualise your dreams and your ambition to attain higher academic and professional qualifications.

    “Let me use this special occasion to reiterate that NOUN is a Federal university established by an Act of the National Assembly (NOUN Act of 1983).

    The university is a legal entity in Nigeria operating programmes that are duly approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) which is the only recognised agency for the approval and accreditation of programmes.