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Tag: University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN)

  • NASRDA, UNN mark ‘World Asteroid Day’

    To educate the public on space activities, the National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA)-Centre for Basic Space Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), has joined its counterparts across the world to observe the World Asteroid Day.

    With the theme: Asteroid: Its potential danger and benefits to the earth, the lecture, the third edition of the annual event at the centre, was in collaboration with the International Astronomical Union.  The event was designed to analyse the implications and the benefits of asteroid to the universe, while also helping researchers to be well informed of its implications.

    At CBSS Observatory Complex, venue of the event, Head of Planetary Dvision of the Centre Dr Emeka Onyeumaoma, noted that the lecture which was not limited to a particular group, was not meant to create fear in people’s mind, but alert the public about the natural phenomenon.

    Director of the centre Dr Bonaventure… declared the lecture open. He said: “Asteroid is a crucial researched work that is important for the Nigeria Space Agency to create adequate awareness for the public based on its dangers and potential to the universe.

    Similarly, Okere explained how scientists in the centre stressed to get the sample of asteroid that fell in some parts of the country like Sokoto, Benue and Taraba states between 2010 and 2013 of which the researchers paid the villagers huge amount in naira before they could release them, because of their ignorance about it.

    “Some of them have started worshiping these ‘meteorite” claiming that it was their gods,” he added.

    Okere continued: “In the past researched work, not much value was given to asteroid, currently many countries are extracting gold from it base on their understanding about it. Nigeria, as a country with its population growth can as well do better through its Space Research Agency.”

    Delivering the 2019 Asteroid lecture, by Mr Emeka Eze of the planetary division of the Centre, canvassed more attention to indigenous scientific and manpower development which he described as tools that would enhance national growth and technology improvement.

    Emeka, noted that without adequate research, problem plaguing the Nigerian society would not be sufficiently addressed. He nonetheless, urged participants to utilise the knowledge gathered during the lecture in solving various challenges facing their organisations.

    The annual, celebrated every June 30 , focuses mainly on science of asteroids and the possible threat they pose to the earth.

  • ‘We’ll take varsity to the next level’

    The Vice Chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Prof. Charles Igwe, has promised to consolidate on achievements of his predecessor, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, to take the university to the next level.

    Igwe spoke in Nsukka on Wednesday when Ozumba inaugurated some projects as part of activities to end his tenure. His tenure ends on June 14.

    The don noted that Ozumba’s administration recorded many achievements and promised to consolidate on them by finishing all ongoing projects and adding more to them.

    He said: “My mission as the new VC of UNN is to consolidate and improve on Ozumba’s achievements to move the university to the next level. My administration will sustain academic excellence and completion of these projects as they are very important to the university.”

    Ozumba said the projects would boost academic excellence and innovations in the university.

    Read Also: Buhari declines assent to Maritime Varsity bill

    “We all know now that knowledge-based economy rule the world, time of commodity economy has gone. These projects – UNN Lion Science Park, UNN Lion Tractor and UNN ultra modern Science Laboratory, re-modelling and reconstruction of Zik flat hostel – will help produce students that will solve technology problems in Nigeria and in the world.

    “UNN is the only university in the country that has a Science Park which serves as a hub for technological development and innovations,” he said.

    According to him, the varsity had struck a partnership with Innoson motors to manufacture local tractors that would be of international standard because of the science park.

     

  • 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.”

  • 2019: Don tasks INEC, political parties on credible elections

    A dons, Dr Ifeanyichukwu Abada, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to remain neutral as political parties play the game of politics according to the rules and to ensure free and fair elections in 2019.

    Abada, the Head of Department of Political Science, University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), made the call in an interview with News Agency of Nigeria on Tuesday in Nsukka.

    He said INEC as the electoral umpire should be neutral and should provide level playing field for all political parties before, during and after the 2019 general elections.

    He added that “INEC should conduct transparency test for its workers to know those who are qualified to work for the commission that will not compromise their positions.”

    He advised political parties should not give tickets to members who see election as do or die affair but those who see it as selfless service to fatherland.

    Read Also: 2019: Tambuwal wants INEC to live above board

    He also urged INEC to ensure that the alleged vote-buying that characterized recent elections in
    Ekiti State and Osun State governorship elections did not happen during next year’s general elections.

    Abada said “vote-buying would put a question mark on the integrity of the commission.

    “INEC should disqualify the candidate of any political party caught in vote buying in any election
    to serve as deterrent to others.

    “Civil rights groups should collaborate with INEC to sensitize electorate on the danger of selling their votes, which is their electoral power to elect good candidates that will bring development to their area.

    “The electorate should be made to understand that any politician who buys votes will not help them or bring democracy dividends to the people because he or she will believe that he has paid the people by buying their votes.”

    The don advised Nigerians to be patriotic and to put national interest above other personal interests to move the country to the next level.

    “`For Nigeria to be among leading democracies in the world, we should think more of what we will do for our country and not what the country will do for us,’’ Abada said.

  • IMT, Enugu to begin award of degree in 2019 academic year

    The Institute of Management and Technology ( IMT ), Enugu says it will begin award of degrees in affiliation with the University of Nigeria, Nsukka ( UNN ) from 2018/2019 academic session.

    The Rector of IMT, Prof. Augustine Nweze made the disclosure in Enugu on Friday at the 36th Matriculation of the institution.

    Nweze said that the award of degrees in some disciplines was sequel to an agreement with the UNN.

    He explained that the senate and council of UNN had given approval for the affiliation, while the institution awaited final visitation of the National Universities Commission ( NUC ) in July, for final approval.

    “It is the desire of our Visitor and Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi to give IMT a University status in the shortest possible time.

    “To give life to that dream, we have, on our own, gone into affiliation with one of Nigeria’s foremost universities, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka to award degrees in many disciplines.

    “I sincerely hope that the new students will be some of the earliest beneficiaries of this partnership when it fully materializes by the beginning of next academic year,” he added.

    The Rector said that IMT established in 1973 and modeled after the famous Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Boston Massachusetts, USA, had nine academic schools and 40 academic departments presently.

    He said that the matriculation marks the end of secondary school education of the new students and beginning of their tertiary education, a major watershed in their development as young adults.

    “This predisposes you to academic and moral training as well as skill acquisition that will eventually make you worthy in character and learning,” he said.

    He advised the fresh students to shun cultism, examination malpractices and other vices adding that the institute was deeply committed to scholarship.

    “Management is working assiduously to improve lecture halls, laboratories and studios to make them fit for learning.

    “We are immensely thankful to the Governor of State, Chief Ugwuanyi for giving us the opportunity to serve our people in our different capacities in IMT” he said.

    In a message to the event, the governor pledged to do everything possible to ensure upgrade of IMT to a degree awarding institution.

    Ugwuanyi said that the plan had been long overdue as the school had churned out professionals and prominent citizens in the country.

    He commended the management, staff and students for their efforts in taking the school to greater height.

    3103 National and Higher National Diploma students took part in the matriculation.

    NAN

  • UNN hosts experts on Science Park

    UNN hosts experts on Science Park

    To help Nigeria migrate from commodity–based market to knowledge-based economy, the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) has held a workshop in collaboration with Ideon Science Park of Sweden and LundaVision AB to drive sensitisation of stakeholders on the viability of Science Park and Innovation Ecosystem.

    The workshop, held from February 20 to 23, was attended by Science Park experts from Sweden, South Africa and Kenya.

    Also in attendance were representatives of the Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Ministry for Trade and Investment, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Customs and parastatals handling technology and innovation projects.

    The UNN, in 2016, launched the pilot version of Science Park named “Roar Nigeria Hub”, which was said to be the first university-embedded Science and Technology Incubator Hub in the country.

    The school allotted 45.9 hectares of land for the construction of a full-fledged Science Park, which is expected to attract over 400 companies scouting for research and innovations from the university.

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC), Prof Benjamin Ozumba, said the workshop was a move by the school to “restore the dignity of man”. He said the university was championing efforts towards building a knowledge-based economy.

    The VC said the workshop was aimed at sensitising members of the academia, researchers, entrepreneurs, ministries and agencies on the need to acquire skills and required training to build a competitive 21st century economy.

    Prof Ozumba said the seminar was a follow-up to his trips to Sweden to understudy the operations of science parks in the Scandinavian country.

    He said: “This international workshop is our modest effort to domesticate what we learnt in Sweden and to help in creating the needed culture of innovation in our country.”

    Explaining the benefits of a Science Park in the university, founder of Ideon Science Park and Chief Executive Officer of LundaVision AB, Dr Sven Thore Holm, said the workshop would help in the industrial training of students and enhance linkage between researchers and industry professionals.

    Holm added that the science park project would help in the diversification of Nigerian economy, saying several companies would fall in the value chain when the park kicks off.

    The project, according to Holm, will also help drive employment that will lead to the growth of entrepreneurial activities among the youth.

    Prof Per Erikson of Lund University in Sweden, in his keynote address, urged university administrators to channel their energy to lead innovation revolution.

    He stated that the task of universities was not only to educate students and carry out research, but also to lead innovation and provide leadership to the private sector.

    “Universities should begin to think of what to do to help the government grow the economy,” Prof Erikson said, pointing out that universities must play lead role in the transition to knowledge-based economy.

  • Ugwuanyi inaugurates 1.6-kms road

    Ugwuanyi inaugurates 1.6-kms road

    Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State on Friday inaugurated a 1.6km road constructed by Mr Samuel Onyishi, the Chief Executive officer, Peace Mass Transit ( PMT ), in his village Amaukwa, Nsukka.

    Ugwuanyi commended Onyishi for keying into the state government’s agenda of ensuring that every village in the state had access roads all-year-round.

    “I am happy with Onyishi for keying into my administration’s initiative to ensure that every community in the state has access roads both during rainy and dry seasons.

    “This 1.6-kms road that started in Amaukwa and terminated at the University of Nigeria Nsukka ( UNN ) Odim gate, this will strengthen the cordial relationship between Amaukwa and the university community.

    “My administration will continue to put premium on the development of the state as well as ensure adequate security of lives and property in the state.

    “Enugu State will continue to grow from strength to strength.

    “I thank Enugu State residents for their maximum support and cooperation and urge them to keep it up,” Ugwuanyi said.

    In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, said the road would ease movement of university staff and students living in the area.

    “On behalf of staff and students of UNN, I commend Onyishi for the kind gesture.

    “I also commend Gov. Ugwuanyi in a special way because it was his good administration that touched the PMT boss to construct this road.

    “When a good person is on the throne, people will be happy and will like to emulate his good work,’’ Ozumba said.

    Earlier in his remarks, Onyishi said he constructed the road to ensure that people, the university staff and students, had access road to his village as well as a smooth road into the university from Odim gate.

    “I love my people and I will continue to do anything within my capacity to make them happy.

    “I am also happy with the administration of Gov. Ugwuanyi for his commitment in moving the state to the next level,’’ he said.

    NAN

  • Emefiele tasks graduates on job creation

    Emefiele tasks graduates on job creation

    Mr Godwin Emefiele, the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria ( CBN ), has tasked  graduating students of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka ( UNN ) to create jobs in order to overcome the current economic challenges.

    In a statement by Mr Isaac Okoroafor, the Acting Director, CBN Corporate Communications, Emefiele gave the charge while delivering the institution’s 47th Convocation Lecture entitled: “A mindset for Succeeding in Today’s Nigeria”.

    He said that the rising unemployment was the greatest challenge facing the country, warning that failure to empower the youth could boomerang against the Nigerian society.

    He emphasised the need for young Nigerian graduates to change their mindset about the labour market, stressing that in spite of the challenges, Nigeria remained a land of limitless opportunities.

    Emefiele, an alumnus of the university, charged the graduating students to strive to be job creators and entrepreneurs rather than being mere job-seekers.

    He said the CBN, as part of its efforts to address unemployment and promote entrepreneurship, the bank had designed and formulated policies and programmes aimed at direct real sector intervention.

    The CBN chief encouraged the graduating students and youths with not more than five years post-service experience to take advantage of the CBN Youth Entrepreneurship Development Programme ( YEDP ).

    According to him, the programme is run in collaboration with other banks and the National Youth Service Corps ( NYSC ).

    He tasked the graduating students to take cognisance of the opportunities in their respective environments to motivate themselves by creating innovative ideas as well as turn the ideas into profitable ventures.

    Earlier in is his address, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Benjamin Ozumba, said the convocation lecture was one of the prestigious public lectures hosted by the university.

    He said the privilege of delivering the lecture was usually reserved for men and women, whose achievements would motivate and inspire graduating students and the entire university community for greater achievements.

    Ozumba used the occasion to call for adequate funding of some ongoing projects embarked upon by the institution.

    He said that the projects would not only boost entrepreneurship and innovation, but also help to curb youth restiveness in the country.

    NAN

  • No corps member was killed in Owerri building collapse – NYSC

    No corps member was killed in Owerri building collapse – NYSC

    The Management of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) said no member of the corps was killed in the building collapse in Owerri on Aug. 13.

    Mrs Bose Aderibigbe, the NYSC Director of Press made the clarification in a statement issued in Abuja on Friday.

    She said that there was a need to correct a misinformation in news reports by some national dailies regarding the identities of two of the deceased persons in the incident.

    “Chinedu Isiogugu and Ngozi Oformezie were not serving corps members as stated in the news reports.

    “To put the record straight, Chinedu Isiogugu, a graduate of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka indeed served on the platform of the NYSC during the 2016 Batch ‘A’ service year with state code number IM/16A/3803.

    “However, the deceased completed the service and was officially discharged on May 4, 2017. Ngozi Oformezie as at date is also not identified as a serving corps member.

    “We commend our media friends and stakeholders for their efforts at informing the citizenry.

    “We equally want to appeal for cross-checking of facts with the scheme on matters of this nature, especially to ascertain identities of serving corps members,” she said.

    She said that the corps condoled with the government and people of Imo over the loss of lives in the building collapse.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that some persons were reportedly killed when a building collapsed at the Fire Service Junction, Owerri on Sunday Aug. 13.

  • Parents urge ASUU to suspend strike

    Parents urge ASUU to suspend strike

    Parents in the university town of Nsukka have appealed to the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to suspend its ongoing strike, considering the setback and suffering it would cause students and their parents.

    Some parents, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Nsukka on Friday, said that if the strike was allowed to continue, it would alter the university academic calendar and make it difficult for students to graduate when they ought to.

    Mrs Njideka Ozioko, a secondary school Principal, decried the incessant strikes in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector, describing them as unhealthy development.

    “It is unfortunate that some students have spent over five years for a course that is supposed to last four years as result of frequent strikes.

    “When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers; ASUU should consider students and suspend the strike, while it continues negotiation with government.”

    She said that the union should explore other avenues of ventilating its grievances, saying that strikes adversely affect the academic life of students.

    Similarly, Mr Jude Urama, while appealing to the lecturers to suspend the strike, said the government should make education a priority in its programme by treating issues relating to the sector honestly and transparently.

    “It is unbelievable that government cannot implement agreement it reached with ASUU since 2009.

    “If government knew it didn’t have the financial muscle to fulfil that agreement, why did it sign the agreement?” Urama asked rhetorically.

    He also appealed to the lecturers to consider the interest of students and parents who are on the receiving end, and suspend the strike, so that final year students could finish up with their examinations.

    Also commenting, Mrs Joy Ezeugwu, a Civil Servant, urged the ASUU leadership to give Federal Government more time to meet its demands, in view of the present economic recession in the country.

    “It is unfortunate that government has been unable to fulfil its own part of the agreement reached with ASUU since 2009.

    “Education is the engine room that drives economic and technological development of any nation.

    “Our leaders should learn how to give education its pride of place in order to move this country to the next level,” she said.