The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Vice-Chancellor.

  • ESUT inducts 29 doctors

    ESUT inducts 29 doctors

    Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Luke Anike, has charged their newly graduated medical doctors not to cut corners but to stick to the ethics of the medical profession in the discharge of their duties.

    Anike, who cautioned the young doctors on greed for quick money, noted that the sky would be the limit of any professional who chose the path of hard work and excellence.

    He was speaking yesterday in Enugu at the induction ceremony of 29 Young Medical Doctors of the college of medicine, ESUT.

    The Vice Chancellor stated that due to the critical role of doctors in health care delivery, the institution would continue to invest in research, capacity building and modern medical education to ensure that only the best come out from the medical school.

    He disclosed that out of 49 students that went through the final assessment exercise supervised and approved by external examiners from other universities in the country, only 29 of them were found worthy to practice medicine.

    In his remarks, the provost, college of medicine, ESUT, Prof. Anthony Ugochukwu, said that their academic programmes had been extensively revised and streamlined such that a student coming into the college knows exactly when he or she would graduate, all things being equal.

    Ugochukwu, disclosed that the new academic regulations designed in line with the National Universities Commission, NUC and Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, MDCN, now awaiting ratification of the university senate, had been designed to plug all loop holes in the

    previous regulations which allowed medical students to beat the system and overstay.

    While congratulating the medical doctors, the provost quickly told them that the journey had just begun in their pursuit of attaining greater heights in their medical career, adding that “the journey of climbing to higher levels in the medical profession is tough, demanding and tortuous, it requires absolute dedication and persistent handwork after a first degree, you must strive to train and specialize in any branch of medicine”.

    Presenting the 29 medical graduands to the registrar, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, (MDCN), Dr. Tajudeen Sanusi, for induction into the medical profession, the dean, faculty of clinical medicine, Prof. Frank Ezugwu, expressed satisfaction with the academic performance of the graduands throughout the duration of their studies and assessed them as worthy in character and learning.

    Ezugwu, enjoined the medical graduands to work hard and show high level discipline in their medical practice, even as he challenged them to always ensure that the health of their patients was paramount in their medical practice. He, however, cautioned that any act of negligence of their patients’ care could cause the withdrawal of their professional license, stressing that one way of appreciating their alma mater was to show excellence and commitment to their duty as good ambassadors.

    The chairman of the occasion and former provost, college of Medicine, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra state, Emeritus Prof. Frank Akpuaka, urged the medical and dental council of Nigeria, MDCN, to increase the number of students allocated to the college for admission, adding that his call had become necessary in view of the

    rapid progress recorded by the institution in staff, facilities and improved infrastructure.

    Akpuaka, who is the Nzenabo of Ndigbo, maintained that ESUT College of medicine had better facilities than those in some African countries that enjoy higher quota of students intake and described ESUT medical School as unique, following the location of all class rooms, hostels

    and hospital in one compound for the convenience of lecturers and students, He also prayed God to grant the young medical graduates their heart desires even as he urged them to remain focused.

    Apart from Dr, Chinasa Peace Ngene, who won the Best Graduating Doctor Award, of the 2017 6th Batch, the university , also announced prizes for 7 Best Graduating Doctors.

    Enugu State governor, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, was represented on the occasion by his health commissioner, Dr. Fintan Ekochin. The event attracted the cream of the medical profession and the academia, including the pioneer provost, college of medicine, ESUT, Prof. Simon

    Asogwa, the dean faculty of Basic Medical sciences, Prof. Chike Anibeze, Chief Medical Director , ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane, Dr. Gabriel Njeze, medical director, National Orthopaedic Hospital, Dr. Cajetan Nwadinigwe  and the head of department of community medicine, Dr. Eddy Ndibuagu, as well as the provost, college of Medicine,

    Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Anambra State, Prof. Walter Nwafia

     

     

  • BIU VC urges workers to be committed

    The Vice Chancellor, Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, has urged the university’s members of staff to renew their commitment to their duties as they resume for the 2017/2018 academic session.

    He gave the advice during the 2017 orientation programme organised as a call to commitment for workers ahead of the new academic session.

    Izevbigie, in his address, praised the workers for their unflinching loyalty and unswerving allegiance but counseled them to emulate the cooperation of principal officers.

    Highlighting the achievements of the 2016/2017 academic session, he said: “Recently we came back from JAMB stakeholders meeting where Benson Idahosa University ranked the 10th most preferred private university in the country.  Our products are doing well. The 2015 best graduating student, Ibude Ben Ikem, just got a scholarship from University of Greenwich, Southeast London to study forensics.”

    He reassured the public and the university’s stakeholders that the institution would continue to strive towards the vision of its founding father to rank among the best universities in the world.

    In the new session, the Vice Chancellor said the entire academic programmes of the university would be reviewed, saying new programmes had been introduced to enhance the global competitiveness.

    Speaking on the “Vision and Mission of Benson Idahosa University”, the Director, Campus Life Division, Rev. Laurie Idahosa praised the Management for the giant developmental strides recorded, saying that leadership is discovering the University’s destiny and having the courage to follow it.

    “If you don’t have a direction or vision, nothing will work. When you have a clear definition, it is easier to succeed,” she added.

    In his remarks, the Registrar, Rev. Mike Okagbare, urged all members of staff to be result-driven. He mentioned the university has adopted the e-Staff system of administration for easy assessment.

    He also enjoined all workers to set attainable goals in the forthcoming academic session.

    Speaking on the “Church of God Mission Intl Tenets of Faith”, Rev Eghosa Igunbor, said the institution should not deviate from the church’s beliefs.

    “Tenets of Faith ensure that there is no deviation from what the church believes. Our church is successful because its tenets of faith are in God’s word,” he said.

    He urged the workers to make sure the word of God remained the driving force of the University.

    Special prayers were offered for the University to kick start the new academic session.

     

  • Tears as Bayelsa varsity VC buries younger sister 

    This is not the best of times for the family of the acting Vice-Chancellor, Niger Delta University (NDU), Prof. Samuel Edoumiekumo. The professor wept recently. He has not come to terms with the loss of his younger sister, Mrs. Peace Edoumiekumo Joshua.

    Who would not cry for such an incalculable loss. Peace, a young beautiful and intelligent Ijaw woman died at a tender age of 29. She died on August 29, 2017 leaving behind her husband and a baby girl.

    Her demise drew tears from everyone, who heard about it. Peace also studied at NDU and graduated from Accounting Education Department. She was full of dreams. She wasted no time to tie the nuptial knot with Mr. Berekumo Joshua, when she was in her 200level. She was described by her peers as a woman of faith.

    But her world came crumbling when she became sick before her graduation. She managed the condition till she graduated and got a call-up letter to serve her fatherland.  The sickness would not just go away. The family rushed her to the Federal Medical Centre to be treated of the undisclosed ailment.

    Peace was later referred to the Eko Hospital in Lagos for further treatment, where she later gave up the ghost. Her family members recalled that she warned them never to seek any fetish solution to her situation. “Never take me to an herbalist place. Instead, let me die on the altar of God”, she had said.

    She eventually breathed her last and left the VC and her husband broken-hearted. Her funeral in Yenagoa was attended by most of the people who crossed her path and other sympathisers especially from the NDU.

    In his tribute, her husband, Joshua, he could not understand her early exit. “I just cannot bring myself to realise that you are no more. I still wait every second for you to call me those names that make me laugh, ‘Blue Band’, ‘Jonjon Boy’ and ‘husband of my youth’”.

    He daughter Grace, said she would never forget her love. “Yo were always there for me. I don’t understand what Daddy is saying happened, but I miss you and hope to see you someday”, the little Grace said.

    All her family members described her as a precious and wonderful lady. They said she was caring even in her sickbed.

     

  • Applause for TETFund’s impact on AAUA

    The Vice Chancellor (VC), Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko (AAUA), Ondo State, Prof. Igbekele Ajibefun, has described as profound the impact of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund’s (TetFund) intervention efforts on the tertiary education sector.

    The VC said this during an interactive session with top officials of the agency held at the university.

    He listed the landmark projects sponsored by TetFund in AAUA, adding that such interventions have changed the face of infrastructural development in the institution.

    Ajibefun was elated at the maiden visit of the Executive Secretary of TetFund to the institution, describing it as historic

    He said:  “Your visit today is a historic one. This is the first time the number one person in TETFund would be paying an official visit. It is our strong belief that this historic visit by TETFund will bring unprecedented development to our university.”

    Earlier, the TetFund Executive Secretary, represented by Mallam Aliyu Na’iya, the Director, Research and Development, said the visit was part of projects proposal defence, verification of physical projects, and reconciliation of financial records of beneficiaries of the Fund to determine their compliance with laid-down procedures for retiring released funds.

    This, he said, would ensure transparency and openness in dealing with financial transactions bythe agency.

    The ES addressed several issues, including sponsorship of conferences and workshops, training for academic and non-staff, problems associated with inbreeding, and other related matters during interactive sessions with staff members.

    He regretted that money worth millions of Naira earmarked for research and development in tertiary institutions had been  unutilised.

  • ‘Student unionism not a tool for violence’

    ‘Student unionism not a tool for violence’

    Adekunle Ajasin University  Akungba-Akoko (AAUA),  Ondo State Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof Igbekele Ajibefun has said students’ unionism should not cause hostility and destruction in the university, but be seen as a call to serve, in concert with the school management to promote students’ welfare and provide a conducive atmosphere for learning and research.

    Prof Ajibefun gave the advice penultimate Monday at a three-day Leadership Training and Seminar, organised for members of the institution’s Student Union Government (SUG) in Igbara-Oke, Ifedore Local Government Area of the state.

    The event with the theme: Promoting a peaceful university environment, was at the instance of the Students’ Affairs Unit of the school.

    The VC condemned the notion that unionism should be destructive, violent, quarrelsome and confrontational, pointing out that the SUG is a platform for students to acquire progressive leadership values.

    He said: “It is a regrettable error that some student unionists believe that the effectiveness of their stewardship would be measured by the number of battles and wars they fight with the school authorities. They tend to believe that their members would hail them as ‘action man’ if they are constantly at war with the management or how effective they are pushing for destructive Aluta.

    “You must understand that these are wrong notions about student unionism.  SUG members stand to gain more and achieve their target of improving the lots of their members through mutual cooperation, and constant dialogue with management on whatever demands they make.

    “Therefore, as student leaders, you must be firm and resolute. You must also be transparent and carry your members along in all decisions. There have been peace and tranquility on our campus for some years; you have responsibility to maintain this tempo during your tenure.”

    Prof Ajibefun promised the students’ leaders that the management would always listen to them and strive to meet their demands, despite the challenge of funding. He assured them that the university would prioritise students’ interests.

    The event featured lectures and interactive sessions with members of the union executive and Students Representative Council (SRC).

    In a lecture titled: The roles of communication ethics in peaceful and progressive unionism, former AAUA Deputy VC (Administration), Prof Francis Oyebade, advised the students’ leaders to create channel of effective communication with their members and the school authorities in presenting their goals logically. He said lack of communication would lead to suspicion, which would in turn fuel crisis that may bring the union into disrepute.

    The Deputy VC, Prof Olugbenga Ige, took the students on the theme: Redefining the roles of 21st Century students’ unionism: A pragmatic approach to leadership, while the Bursar, Mrs Olubunmi Ologun, spoke on how the students’ leaders could be accountable in her lecture with the theme: Roles of financial record keeping and transparency in students’ union leadership as panacea for peace in the university.

    Dean of Students’ Affairs, Dr Francis Gbore,  urged the students to imbibe the lessons learnt from the seminar, urging them to become pragmatic leaders.

    The training, he said, was necessary to engender a peaceful campus and train the students on the values of leadership.

    The union president, Olawale Ijanusi, thanked the management for the training. He added that the seminar changed their perception of unionism and leadership values.

  • Abdulkareem emerges new VC of Unilorin

    Abdulkareem emerges new VC of Unilorin

    Governing Council of the University of Ilorin (UNILORIN) has announced a a professor of chemical engineering, Sulyman Age Abdulkareem as the new Vice Chancellor of the university.
    The tenure of the current Vice Chancellor Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali ends October 15th, 2017.
    Addressing reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital, Chairman, Governing Council of the university, Dr Abdullahi J. Oyekan  said the “appointment is to take effect from October 16, 2017.”
    Said Dr Oyekan: “At its meeting on Monday  August 28, 2017, council, in accordance with the university Act and the provisions of the universities (miscellaneous Provisions) (amendment) Act 2003,
    considered the recommendation of the selection board and I am happy to announce that the council approved the appointment of Professor Sulyman Age Abdulkareem as the 10th VC of the university of Ilorin.
    “The council noted  that the tenure of the VC,  Prof Abdulganiyu Ambali, OON, will come to an end on October 15,2017, council commenced the process for appointments of a new VC by announcing the vacancy in two national Newspaper on Friday, April 14,2017. The advertisement was also placed on the university website and the University weekly bulletin.
    “Interested applicants were given six weeks to submit their applications with a closing date of May 26,2017. Immediately thereafter, council met and constituted the joint council /Senate selection board as well as the search team for the appointment of VC.
    “The search team visited universities in various geographical zones of the country and contacted senior academic staff in these institutions who might not have applied for the position. Subsequently, the
    selection board considered based all the applications  received and shortlisted candidates based on the various parameters indicated in the advertisement.
    “The selection board later interacted with the shortlisted candidates over a period of three days from Wednesday August 23 to August 25,2017. At the end of the exercise,  the selection board forwarded
    its recommendation to council for further consideration.”
    Prof Abdulkareem, who hails from Oro, Irepodun local government area of Kwara state was the immediate past Vice Chancellor of Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin.
    Born in 1954, Prof Abdulkareem attended the Government Secondary School, Ilorin for both his secondary education and higher school certificate (HSC) from 1968 to 1974 which he undertook with the Kwara state government scholarship.
    He later got the the Federal Government Scholarship for his university education at the University of Detriot, Detroit, Michigan, USA between 1975 and 1780.
    At the end of the course he was awarded the Mche, Bche (Chemical Engineering) specialising in heterogeneous Catalysis/reaction engineering.
    From 1985 to 1988, he was awarded the United States of America National Science Foundation Fellowship for his doctoral programme in chemical engineering at the University of Louisville, USA.
    He obtained the engineering-in-training certificate of the state of Minnesota, USA in 1991 and became a registered engineer of the Nigerian Society of Engiineers in 2002 as well as COREN regustered
    engineer in 2004.
    Prof Abdulkareem was engaged as a lecturer by by the Detroit Board of Education, Detroit, Michigan, USA from August 1984 to August 1985; and a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Louisville,
    Kentucky from September 1985 to August 1988.
    He joined the services of the University of Ilorin as a senior lecturer in 1996 and rose to become a professor in September 2005.
  • Abia varsity on national grid, 36 years after

    Abia varsity on national grid, 36 years after

    Abia State University, Uturu community headed by vice-chancellor Prof. Uche Ikonne was happy that Abia State Governor Okezie Ikpeazu graced its 25th convocation ceremony.

    It was a day that Ikpeazu commissioned an electrification project that ended 36 years of darkness in the institution.

    For over 30 years the institution was powered by generating sets at a huge cost, it was said.

    The university community also expressed the hope that the connection of the school to the national grid will help to save the school the cost of powering their equipments and offices using generating sets.

    Speaking while commissioning the project, Governor Ikpeazu who was flanked by the former senate president and pro-chancellor of the school, Senator Adolphus Wabara and Vice Chancellor of the school, Prof. Ikonne commended the management of the institution on its growth.

    “Nobody would believe that this institution has existed for this number of years running on generators. I must commend the management for this wonderful project. I am happy this has happened in our time; we will continue to ensure that our institutions of higher learning, not just ABSU alone, get the needed attention of the state government to run their programme.”

    Pro-Chancellor of the University, Senator Adolphus Wabara thanked the governor on behalf of the senate for assembling great leaders who have the interest of the university at heart.

    He stressed the efforts of the Vice Chancellor of the Institution Prof. Ikonne in growing the institution.

    Prof. Ikonne assured that the project will be put to proper use to the well-being of students and the university community.

  • VC hails Math dept’s feat in quiz, sport contests

    VC hails Math dept’s feat in quiz, sport contests

    The Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, Prof Joseph Ahaneku, has praised the Department of Mathematics for its students’ “good performance” at the just-concluded conference of the National Association of Mathematical Sciences Students of Nigeria (NAMSSN) in Abuja.

    The conference featured a quiz, beauty pageant and sport competitions, in which the UNIZIK students was one of the top winners.

    The VC received the students and the department’s staff, led by the Acting Head of Department, Dr. Donald Okoli, in his office. Congratulating the students, Prof Ahaneku said the university had become a centre of academic excellence, given the strides of its students and lecturers in various endeavours.

    By distinguishing themselves in the competition, the VC said the students had projected the good image of the school. He praised the staff of the department for mentoring the students to achieve excellence. He surprised the students with cash prizes.

    Dr. Okoli said the students did not just emerge top in the quiz contest, but also excelled in other competitions. He listed the prizes won by the students to include first position in soccer contest, Best Player Prize and Best Defender Prize in football.

    Others include highest goal scorer, best goalkeeper, first position in the Miss NAMSSN beauty pageant and first runner-up in chess contest.

    The students, who represented the school, were Charlesdan Arazu, Blessing Nwonu, Chukwuma Onu, Joshua Iloka and Clement Okoli. Others are Ukamaka Nnebue, Amarachi Ifechukwu, Solomon Uchendu, Judith Amobi and Stanley Ejiofor.

  • ‘Why Nigerian varsities should adopt Korean system’

    ‘Why Nigerian varsities should adopt Korean system’

    In this interview with ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA, Vice Chancellor, Caleb University, Imota, Lagos, Prof Daniel Ayandeji Aina, explains why Nigeria should adopt the Korean ‘mind education’ system.

    Why do you recommend the Korean education system for Nigeria?

    You will recall that South Korea emerged from the Korean War without natural resources, but people. They therefore embarked on mind education that we call value-based education here. In Korea, they teach dignity of labour. As a professor of Engineering, you are only recognised by what you are professing and not by merely wearing suit and tie. Your office is more in the laboratory with your overall on rather than wearing suit and teaching your students using smart boards which we often do here. That is why our education in Nigeria is not functional. You only wear suit during meetings; once that meeting is over you are back into the laboratory.

    But as you said, Nigeria also has value-based education system which is almost the same

    The Korean system is deeper and more practicable! And the idea is how what you had learned in class can be turned to practical use so you don’t start looking for jobs upon graduation. This is the more reason why Caleb University is collaborating with the Institute of Mind Education in Korea so as to adapt their methodology to our colleagues here that had value-based education. The Korean Educational International Youth Forum has linkages in about 90 countries that subscribe to it and Caleb University is now happy to be one.

    But what format does this education take?

    Their (Korean) undergraduates are integrated into service education whereby you used what you acquired in class as a form of community service. What we do in our NYSC here is that people are just posted to say Zamfara State, and the person can then arrange with their local NYSC to wander away for months only to return and collect their certificates. But in the United State or South Korea, graduands are allowed to move to anywhere in the world to render service.  That is why those societies are a lot better because they produce selfless individuals who are determined to help societal cause.

    There are series of cases bordering on insecurity in Ikorodu which is your next door neighbor, what security checks have you to ward off intruders?

    It’s pretty sad the insecurity situation in Ikorodu and environs. But generally, let me say in a security situation what you need do is go a step ahead of your potential attacker. Once that psychology is created, that scares potential predators away.

    Second, we have excellent relationship with government, police, and other nongovernmental security agencies. We have a rapid response team here. They had been here before I became VC. We have our own security network. We also have spirituality because we are a faith-based university. The Lord says if the He doesn’t build the house, the watchers labour in vain.

    With their tuition, there have been arguments that private universities have come to supplant public institutions and dim the hope of the poor.

    Some of those in the labour union carry all sorts of rumour that private universities are exorbitant because they felt that government allowing private universities to thrive will have a negative impact on their negotiation with government.

    For instance, our tuition here is N350,000, but when you look at our facilities, you will know it is not the N350,000 that we use in running the university. A cumulative salary of a professor before tax is between N380,000 and N500,000. So, if you have N350,000 tuition here that means a student fee cannot pay a professor in a month.

  • Ekiti elders applaud FUOYE management

    A group of patriarchs in Ekiti –Ekiti Council of Elders, has passed a vote of confidence on the vice chancellor of the Federal University Oye Ekiti Prof Kayode Soremekun.

    In a statement made available to The Nation, the group made the declaration when it met with the management of FUOYE at Ekiti State University.

    The group led by Chief Bisi Ogbeyemi, noted that members are impressed by FUOYE’s management style, and pledged to continuously support Soremekun toward achieving more greatness.

    The meeting was part of measures to resolve the faceoff between FUOYE;s striking workers and management.

    The elders said they are pleased with moves so far made by the university management to adrres the issues in contention, adding that they would also extend invitation to the leadership of Non Academic Staff Uion (NASU), and the Senior Staff Academic of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), to ensure outstanding issues are resolved.

    Soremekun appreciated the inputs of the elders and assured that management would stop at nothing to ending the industrial action once and for all.