AWGU, which is the local government headquarters of Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State, on Monday, went agog as children, market women, youths and elders in the area marched to the streets in jubilation for having a university they could call their own. The new institution is National Open University (NOUN), Awgu Study Centre.
To the people of Awgu, it was no mean achievement. Little wonder, if not for the timely intervention of security operatives who controlled the crowd, the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu, who brought the institution, would have been in “trouble” as every indigene of the area wanted to touch him as a mark of joy for what he has done for them. Many of them see him as their Messiah of sort.
MAKA ND’IGBO observed that Awgu has added another feather to its nest. Apart from being the designated orientation camp for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), it is now a university town with the formal commissioning of NOUN Study Centre in the area.
The Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Vincent Ado Tenebe, in his remark, said he was overwhelmed by the interest shown by Ike Ekweremadu in establishing the university in the area.
Professor Tenebe, who was accompanied by his top management team including Professor Patrick Eyah, said the mission of the university was to bring quality education to the door steps of every Nigerian, adding that it was anchored by social justice, equity and national cohesion.
“President Goodluck Jonathan, in his wisdom, promised to transform our educational system for good. This is one of the transformations. We have no age limit in National Open University and all our courses are approved and accredited by the Nigeria University Commission (NUC). Former President of this country, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, is a product of NOUN. We have a student who is 102 years. You have to grab the opportunity now,” he added.
If there is any dignitary at the occasion, who felt very happy, it was the Deputy Senate President, Ekweremadu. Going down memory lane, the lawmaker recalled how he begged God to give him the opportunity to go into politics and make a positive change in the lives of the people.
“Today is just like the day I went to Oduma/Nenwe Road for commissioning. One of my dreams in entering politics is fulfilled today with commissioning of the National Open University here at Awgu. Today, by the grace of God, we have a federal university. I want to predict that before this time next year, we will have a federal polytechnic in this zone”.
“If by God’s grace and by your mandate, I return to the Senate in 2015, we shall focus on job creation. We shall reduce unemployment level in Enugu-West and indeed Enugu State by 70 per cent”
The traditional ruler of the host community, His Royal Highness, Igwe Godwin Nwobi, the Ugwundu 11 of Ugwulesi, also showered encomiums on Senator Ekweremadu, describing him as God-sent.
In their separate speeches, Honourable Udeh Okechukwu Nathan and Venerable Innocent Aka, who led the opening prayer, commended Senator Ekweremadu for his contributions to the people of the area and indeed Nigeria, stressing that he had continued to remain as a role model to many people in the area.
The high points of the occasion were the cutting of tape and unveiling of commemorative plaque by Senator Ekweremadu. The visitors were led in a guided tour after vote of thanks by the Registrar of the institution, Mrs Josephine Akinyem.
PDP: People's Deceiving Party of Nigeria
ReplyDelete