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Tag: Prof Benjamin Ozumba

  • Breakthrough as UNN produces electric car

    University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) has recorded a rare feat by producing the first electric car in Nigeria.

    The car named Lion Ozumba 551 after the immediate past vice chancellor, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba was produced by the Faculty of Engineering of the university.

    Explaining the techniques of the car, the coordinator of UNN mechatronic group who led the team that produced the car Mr Ozoemena Ani, said the vehicle was produced with 80 per cent local content materials.

    Ani said the car could be charged in any electric socket and when fully charged would go a distance of 30 kilometres.

    “We used 80 per cent local material content in building this electric car.

    “It cost us N800,000 to produce the car. When the car is fully charged it will go up to thirty kilometers before it can be recharged,” he said at the unveiling ceremony of the car.

    The electric car was driven round UNN campus which attracted the admiration of many staff and students

    The Director-General of National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Mr Jelani Aliyu who was at the unveiling ceremony commended the University of Nigeria Nsukka for being the first to produce electric car in the country.

    He urged other universities in the country to emulate UNN desire in giving serious attention to issues concerning innovations and technology in order to move the country to the next level.

    “NADDC on February 6, 2019 invited UNN, University of Lagos, Usuman Danfodo University and Matrological Institute and urged them to prepare a paper design on how to produce electric car in the country.

    “The council is happy that UNN is the first to prepare a paper design and produced electrical car that has been unveiled and test-run today in the university.

    “We urge other universities and higher institutions in the country to emulate innovation and technology spirit of UNN,”  he said.

    The DG who was represented by Mr David Oyetunji who is Director Finance and Account in NDDC said, improving on automobile industry in the country would help create more employments as well as reduced huge amount of money used in importing cars into the country.

    “Improvement in automobile industry will create more employments as well as reduce huge amount of money used in importing cars into the country.

    NDDC commend UNN who recently produced the first gasification plant that used organic waste to generate electricity and today the same university is unveiling first electric build car in the country,” he said.

    In a remark, Prof Charles Igwe, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, who was filled with joy, said his administration would continue to give innovation and technology the highest attention in order to move the university to the next level.

    Igwe expressed appreciation to the immediate past VC of UNN Prof Benjamin Ozumba whom he said laid the foundation of innovation, technology as well as through his hard work made UNN the number one university in the country.

    “I feel happy that, I inherited strong institution from Ozumba and I promised I will consolidate on his numerous achievements.

    “I commend the engineering faculty for making the university proud as well as naming the car after Ozumba who ignited the fire of innovation and technology in the university.

    “I also commend NDDC for its encouragement as well as giving UNN a chance to show its potential,” he said.

    Speaking, Ozumba said he was overwhelmed when he received invitation to came and witness unveiling of the electric car which was initiated by his administration,

    “When I came on board I said we need innovation and technology to be at par with China, US, Sweden and other developed countries of the world.

    “That was why I provided the resources and encouragement for innovations and technology because I believe that is one of the ways we can improve our country’s economy.

    “It is my desire to improve the economy of UNN, the economy of Nigeria as well as increase the country’s foreign exchange,” he said.

  • UNN alumni to construct ‘Legacy Building’

    The Alumni Association of the Department of Mass Communication Department University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has begun  plans to construct  the School of Communication and Media Studies. They are popularly referred to as  Jacksonites.

    The alumni unveiled the architectural design of the project to the university management on Tuesday.

    Presenting the design at the vice chancellor’s office, the alumni president, Prof Benjamin Ozumba, said the terrible state of the department inspired the association to erect a befitting structure that would make the department as the first School of Journalism in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prof Ozumba was accompanied by another alumnus Prof Pat Utomi who was represented by Mr. Simeon Idaewor.

    Said Ozumba: “I visited this department three years ago and was shocked to discover its terrible shape. I then  raised alarm amongst Jacksonites. We all agreed to build a more befitting structure that will survive generations. That is what we have started. The architectural drawing has been completed.

    “It’s going to be a mega project for generation yet unborn; something that will stand the test of time, a signature tomb and when you come to University of Nigeria, you will like to see the place”.

    According to Idaewor, the project will gulp no less than three billion naira billion naira. Edeawor, who is also the Managing Director of Fortune and Temperance Publishing Company,urged other alumni to join the association’s drive to leave an enduring legacy for the department.

    The CEO, Attah Associates Limited, Emeka Attah, who is the architect for the project, when completed, the building would house over 1500-capacity amphitheatre, another 500-capacity lecture theatre, and 200-capacity classroom to be used by both undergraduate and post graduate students, as well as assorted offices among others.

    “What we are doing now is to present to the VC the whole idea of the project and if we can secure a land for it. Currently, the site that they showed me is too small and I told them that small piece of land will not bring out the project they wanted” Architect Attah told CAMPUSLIFE.

    Speaking earlier, Head of Department of Mass Communication P. N. Nwokolo described the alumni body’s gesture as a way of giving back to the department.

    Responding, the vice-chancellor who was represented by his deputy (Administration), Prof. Charles Igwe, said:  “First of all, I want to congratulate the alumni association for this project which you are conceptualising. This is what an alumni body should look like. So, what you are doing now is what is expected. Now, if this kind of thing should find its way on the terrain of this university, the outlook of our institution will change. If other alumni associations begin to think in this direction, UNN will be a better place.”

  • UNN has achieved its goals under my watch, says VC

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, has said the university, under his watch, achieved some of the objectives for which it was established by its founding fathers.

    One of those objectives, Ozumba said, was to become a globally recognised tertiary institution where liberal education would be offered to restore man’s dignity. He said the school had achieved this goal.

    The VC spoke at the just-concluded 58th Founders’ Day where a special convocation was held to confer honorary doctoral degree on Mr Austin Avuru, an alumnus of the university from the Department of Geology. He was conferred with the honorary degree in Business Administration after bringing Platform Petroleum to donate a building to the department in his honour.

    According to a statement by the school’s Public Relations Officer (PRO), Dr Okwun Omeaku, the complex, which is named after Austin Avuru, is valued at over N1 billion.

    Ozumba said the special convocation was organised for the conferment of the award on Avuru, who was shortlisted for the award in 2014 by the school Senate.

    “Avuru accepted the degree after he had completed a signature project in the university,” Ozumba said, pointing out that the school only conferred its honorary degrees on people of integrity, who have distinguished themselves in services to humanity, and not those who lobby to acquire the degree with money.

    Ozumba said his administration had created an atmosphere of peace in the university by restoring the confidence of the alumni, who, he said, showed willingness to enhance the image of the university.

    The VC, who used the occasion to give account of his administration, said the school vigorously pursued linkage programmes and collaborations with renowned universities in the world.

    The result, according to the VC, led to an enhanced global perception of the university, including the improved Webometric rankings and the latest recognition by the Times Higher Education global ranking of universities.

    Ozumba, who recently played host to a team of academics from Michigan State University, who were in the school to revive an age-long relationship with the UNN, said his leadership had made the university a toast for international collaborators.

    He said: “I recall we made it clear that our overall agenda was to provide the University of Nigeria the leadership needed to become an academic giant and a pacesetter in quality scientific research. The level of UNN innovative teaching and the robustness of its community service among communities in the developing countries.”

    Ozumba reiterated his promise of improved welfare made to members of staff and students of the university at the inception of his administration in 2014.

    He attributed the progress the university has made under him to hard work, commitment and the culture of excellence which, he said, his administration injected in all spheres of the university’s system.

    In his response after being conferred with the degree, Avuru said he was humbled by the honour from his alma mater, stating that what he benefited from the university could not be quantified.

    Avuru announced N10 million travel grant for workers of the Faculty of Physical Sciences of the university, adding that the money will be used to sponsor anyone who wishes to attend conferences abroad from the Department of Geology and other departments in the Faculty of Physical Sciences.

  • UNN set to export ginger to America

    Barring unforeseen disruption, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) will export the first batch of its ginger to McCormic Company, a major producer of spices, flavouring and herbs in the United States (U.S.) by December, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, has said.

    The VC made the disclosure while inspecting the school’s ginger farm sited on over five hectares of land. The crops were planted in April on the Nsukka campus.

    “We have signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with McCormic Company to off-take any quantity of ginger we produce,” Prof Ozumba said, adding that the farm was a pilot study for large scale ginger production by the university.

    The MoU, according to the VC, was facilitated by alumni of the university based in the U.S. with the intention to providing good teaching point for students and generating revenue to the institution.

    He said the farm was established for research, teaching and agro-business purposes  in line with the land grant mandate by the institution.

    “As a land grant university, agriculture is one of our strong points,” Ozumba said.

    Besides, the VC said his administration had invested in other areas of agriculture, including pepper production, cattle fattening and ranching, snail farming and poultry farming.

    He said the university was making arrangement to bring in 300 dairy cows with robotic milking from Michigan State University before the end of 2018 to commence milk production in the university.

    “We want our students to know that there is money in agriculture,” Prof Ozumba said.

    Under Ozumba’s administration, the school’s moribund farms have been revived, including the establishment of feed mills, cassava flour processing plants and the building of green houses.

     

  • UNN to emerge among 10 best global varsities–VC

    UNN to emerge among 10 best global varsities–VC

    Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, the Vice-Chancellor of  University of  Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), says the institution is on the threshold of being among the best 10 universities in the world.

    Ozumba, who assumed office in 2014 as the vice chancellor of the university, said this  in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka, Enugu State, on Saturday.

    The vice chancellor said he was happy that the institution was working according to the dream  and vision of its founding father, late Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe.

    “His dream was for UNN to have the best professors, best library and best academic environment for teaching and learning so as to restore the dignity of man.

    “I am happy that the institution is realising the dream  and vision of its founding father through academic excellence and quality research work.

    “I have no doubt in my mind that in no distant time,  UNN will be among the best 10 universities in the world,” he said

    He said that under his administration,  the university had received global recognition as number one institution  in research among Nigerian  universities.

    ” I am happy that UNN under my watch has received global recognition as the best research university in Nigeria for two consecutive years .

    “ This was according to World Webometric that assesses  universities in the world based on  quality research work,’’ he said.

    Ozumba attributed his achievements in the institution to God’s wisdom and hard work .

    He had also won the award of excellent leadership of the university’s Institute of African Studies.

    “I see any award given to me as a challenge to do more  so that I will not disappoint those who have confidence in me by giving  me the award.

    “My achievements are because of God’s favour  and hard work,

    “Like William Shakespeare says, the achievements of great men were not recorded in sudden flight but they work while others are sleeping ,” he said.

    The vice chancellor said his administration in 2016 hosted the West African Universities Games which participants described it as  one of  the best.

    “I commend my management, staff and students of  UNN because without their cooperation and support,  all these achievements will not have been possible,” he said.

  • ‘Save Nigerians from prion disease’

    As there a disease that can make a young girl to reach menopause before age?

    Yes, says Prof Henry Onwubiko. He  said prion disease can cause the condition.

    If a young girl contracts the infectious disease, he said, she would immediately reach her menopause.

    Onwubiko, a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Biochemistry of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), stated this when he delivered the university’s 96th inaugural lecture last Thursday.

    He said the disease, which has no cure, could lead the sufferer to  infertility and infect both humans and animals.

    Some of the symptoms of the disease, he said, include loss of weight, lack of brain co-ordination, convulsion and inability to sleep at night. He said: “The prion infection has been detected in some parts of Europe and Africa, where about four million infected cattle have been destroyed.”

    He urged the government to ensure that cows and other animals that could infect human beings with the virus are properly screened by veterinary doctors before they were killed for consumption.

    He added: “Prion infection can be contracted by eating meat of infected animals or coming in contact with infected human beings. Every human being and animal has prion in the body, but when it is infected or corrupted, it becomes abnormal and deadly to the body. Abnormal prion causes mad cow disease in cattle, scrapie in sheep and Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) in human.”

    The lecturer said prion disease was yet to be detected in birds, dogs, rabbits and horses. He urged the government to build and equip ultra-sensitive technique laboratory for detection of pathological prions and recruit experts to avert the looming vulnerability.

    “My advice is that, the government should bring experts in this field together to start work on how to protect the country from impending danger of prion deadly infection. Prion is 100 per cent deadly and fatal than Ebola and HIV,” he said.

    According to the inaugural lecturer, his research on prion decease was cited in Nature Methods, a prestigious journal, because of the interest the global science community has in research on the disease.

    In his remark, the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, represented by his deputy for Administration, Prof Edwin Igbokwe, described Onwubiko as erudite scholar whose works have been cited in global journals.

  • Achebe donates books to UNN

    Achebe donates books to UNN

    The Obi of Onitsha, Prof Alfred Achebe, has donated some of his books to the University of Nigeria (UNN).

    Presenting the books to the Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, at the varsity’s Conference Room, the traditional ruler said they centred on the history of Onitsha, and the town’s contribution to the country’s socio-economic and education development. The monarch said readers would also learn how the ancient city combined modernity with culture to achieve economic growth.

    His visit, the monarch said, marks the beginning of his journey to all  universities in the Southeast. He said the books would help boost research and historical findings about Onitsha, its culture and justice system.

    The traditional ruler said proceeds from the launch of the books were donated to Onitsha Advancement Foundation, which was established to drive the strategic transformation of the city into a 21st century metropolis.

    Igwe Achebe hailed the management for the ongoing development of the institution, noting that the university was better compared to the last time he visited.

    Ozumba thanked the monarch for his interest in the institution and his association with his administration.

    He said: “For us at UNN, Obi of Onitsha is not just a royal father in Igbo land, but a leading figure in Igbo traditional institution who has verifiable records.”

    He noted that the monarch’s reign had advanced synergy between tradition and modernity as instituted by his forebears for the development of the commercial city of Onitsha.

    The VC said the monarch’s contributions at the meetings of leading traditional rulers were giving psychological satisfaction to the Igbo.

    He promised to keep close link with the monarch and his kingdom, and urged the king to sustain his tie with the university.