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…Varsity has churned out 15, 000 graduates- VC
From Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
Former Nigeria military head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd) and former President Goodluck Ebelle Jonathan, are expected to grace the forthcoming 25th anniversary of the Nigeria premier university, Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO).
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Lawrence Ezemonye, disclosed this while briefing Journalists on the activities lined up for the anniversary at Okada, Edo State.
He said since the institution came into being 25 years ago it has churned out 15,000 graduates and made tremendous impacts in all ramifications and based on that, there is enough reasons to celebrate.
“In 1999, history was made in Nigeria with the licensing of the first private university. That university is Igbinedion University, Okada, with registration No. 01.
“By May this year, it will be exactly 25 years since that epochal event. Since inception, the university has achieved remarkable successes in teaching, research, capacity building, innovative studies and perhaps most significantly, the production of exceptional graduates in diverse fields of human endeavour who are contributing their quota to national and global development.
“The attainment of 25 years of corporate existence is a notable landmark worthy of celebration. Thus, the university intends to organize a grand celebration to commemorate the event”, Prof. Ezemonye said.
Reeling out the activities to mark the the event, Ezemonye said the Silver Jubilee will feature a colloquium titled: Re-Imagining Tertiary Education for Africa’s Present and Future Realities.
He said as implied from the title, the colloquium will focus on tertiary education in Africa within the context of today’s dynamic globalized knowledge economy and tech-driven world.
Other activities according to him are, commissioning of legacy projects, special exhibition (science, technology, innovation – STI), anniversary launcheon, and an evening of grand performance by a collection of musical artistes.
He also disclosed that a broad spectrum of local and foreign dignitaries would be invited in the anniversary celebration.
Professor Ezemonye noted that the landscape of higher education is changing rapidly and disruptively, just as the entire education sector in Africa, thus compelling the need to adapt to the global demands.
He submitted that it is obvious that future ready universities must be equipped with continually increasing potency for technological disruption and collective digital paradigm shift.
The Igbinedion University Vice-Chancellor showered encomium on the founder of the institution, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin, for his supportive role through constant funding of the institution.
Responding to the question whether private universities should also be included in the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Prof. Ezemonye said yes, because both the government-owned and privately-owned universities are all contributing their quota to the development of the society and by extension, the country at large.
