From Felix Ikem, Nsukka
The Acting Vice-chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) Prof Oguejiofo Ujam has commended the Human Race Foundation (HRF) for donating 6kva of solar electricity to the institution’s Faculty of Social Sciences to boost energy.
Ujam gave the commendation in Nsukka on Friday during the inauguration of the project and noted that the donation came at the right time when the university was having challenges with the public electricity supply.
The VC who was represented by Prof Kamoru Usman, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academics urged the faculty to ensure its necessary maintenance so that the system would last ten years as projected by the foundation.
“UNN commends HRF, a foundation comprising alumni of UNN for giving back to their alma mater who made them what they are now.
“This donation is coming at the right time when the institution has challenges of electricity from public power supply.
“The university will ensure appropriate maintenance of the solar power so that the project will last for many years,” he said.
The VC applauded Prof Chidi Nzeadibe, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, whom he said had attracted many projects to the faculty since he assumed office as dean and urged him to continue to reach out and do more.
In a remark during the inauguration, Dr Chima Oti, the President of the foundation who led other members to the event said it gives the foundation joy to give back to their alma mater who nurtured and made them what they are now.
He noted that no university anywhere in the world would survive without the contributions of its alumni.
“We know power is a challenging factor in UNN as well as in the country, that is why we decided to make the solar light donation to enhance teaching and learning at the faculty.
“The solar is expected to cover twelve rooms in the faculty involving classrooms and offices and will run day and night.
“We did a similar project in the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus last year and today we are doing this one in Nsukka and hopefully we will come back to do another project,” he said.
Responding on behalf of the faculty, the Dean (Nzeadibe) said the installation of solar light is expected not only to reduce carbon footprint but also contribute significantly to the ongoing efforts to promote environmental sustainability within UNN.
“This gesture by the foundation aligns with the mission and vision of the present leadership of the university to lead in academic excellence while fostering a sustainable environment,” he said.
The Dean said that the faculty is happy that the donation came at the right time when the university is facing huge monthly energy bills and frequent power cuts and outages which make learning, teaching and research very difficult.
“We value and gratefully acknowledge this collaboration with HRF and the positive impact it will have on both students and staff of the faculty.
“The faculty immensely thank the foundation for the successful implementation of the project at no cost to the faculty and pledged to ensure its maintenance,” Nzeadibe said.