Emodi, Mbadiwe, Olanipekun, Yuguda, others inaugurated as varsities’ council chair
From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
An educationist, Senator Joy Emodi; a lawyer and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, Greg Ozumba Mbadiwe; A legal luminary, Chief Wole Olanipekun; former Bauchi Governor, Isa Yuguda; among several others, have been inaugurated as Pro-Chancellors and Chairman of Governing Councils of some federal universities.
While Senator Emodi was assigned to Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, as Chairman of Governing Council, Ambassador Mbadiwe was assigned to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka; Chief Olanipekun, assigned to the University of Lagos; while Yuguda was assigned to the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) as the Chairman of Governing Council.
Addressing the Chairmen and Members of the Council Governing Councils at the inauguration ceremony which took place in Abuja, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, congratulated the new council members for being found worthy of the responsibility of the Governing Councils of the federal tertiary institutions.
He said: “I congratulate all of you who have been appointed as Chairmen and Members of the Governing Councils. Your appointment is a testament to your track records, proven integrity, and experience. Also, the appointments reflect the diversity of our nation, professions, expertise and experience of the men and women chosen as Members.
“I thank you for accepting our invitation to join in the task of re-engineering our tertiary Institutions so as to enable them fulfil their commitment to quality teaching, learning, research and service to our communities, and our dear nation.
“I, therefore, implore you all to reciprocate the trust and confidence which Government has reposed in you by deploying your wealth of knowledge, skills and experience in moving our tertiary institutions to greater heights.
“Your role as Governing Councils is tasking and sensitive, especially at this period when the Federal Ministry of Education is determined to transform the education sector. As Chairmen and members of Governing Councils, you are responsible for setting the strategic direction, overseeing transparent and responsible financial management of the institutions, and ensuring the overall performance of these Institutions to achieve the national goals and expectation of tertiary institutions.
“The tertiary institutions have, over the years, produced graduates with skills and competencies to compete favorably across the globe, but our education sector is still grappling with many challenges, hence the Government has huge expectations from each of you in addressing the challenges facing the tertiary Institutions.”
In her remarks, Senator Emodi commended President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, and Ministers of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman and Dr. Tanko Sununu, for finding her and other members worthy to serve and contribute their wealth of knowledge in education sector to the management of the prestigious Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education.
She assured the Federal Government and the school management of cordial relationship that would, expectedly, herald unprecedented growth and development of the school, academically, infrastructurally and otherwise.
On his side, Ambassador Mbadiwe, also appreciated the President and the Ministers for considering him worthy of the responsibility, thus promising to work with all stakeholders in the school to bring growth and development, and also maintain industrial people and harmony.
Chief Olanipekun who spoke on behalf of other council members, expressed confidence in the capacity and commitment of all the council members to champion the cause of development of their respective universities.
He, however, frowned at the lack of nexus between the quality of graduates being produced by the universities in recent times, and the needs of the industries, resulting in misplacement of priorities, promising to champion a change campaign in that regard.
