Educational development on reverse gear in African continent – UNN VC
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN, Prof. Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, yesterday, bemoaned the poor state of educational development on African continent.
The VC said various political, economic and socio-religious crises has been witnessed in most African countries today had robbed off negatively on educational development as attention is given to crises management instead of educational development.
The Vice-Chancellor made the statement at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, PAA, UNN, during the 1st Faculty of Arts Alumni Homecoming and Reunion, where he was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Pat Uche Okpoko.
“Indeed, it is an unfortunate reality that educational development, in the real sense of it, is on the reverse gear on the African Continent. African countries, especially our own dear Nigeria, are bedevilled by political, economic, social, religious and educational under-development,” Okpoko said.
“The ugly spectacle is before us, but we are filled with confidence and hope that the various associations of the alumni will surely lead the country out of the woods.”
The VC also lauded the Faculty of Arts, UNN, for its milestone achievements in the positive transformation of humans, said that the faculty is in the front pew in the process of developing manpower beyond the borders of Nigeria, adding that the feats are in accordance with the vision of the founding fathers of the university in her struggle to restore the dignity of man.
He said the Faculty has become a model, not only in the periodic organisation of conferences and public lectures but also in terms of the organisational structure and current ICT-driven academic programmes, stating that it is poised to emancipate the black race from the shackles of cultural, intellectual, economic and socio-political
bondages.
In his address, the Dean of the Faculty, Prof. Nnanyelugo Okoro said, the alumni lecture has given the faculty alumni a platform to mull measures towards repositioning the university to be globally competitive.
“Globally, universities are driven by highly skilled human resources that are a function of creativity in arts and humanities,” Okoro said.
Okoro said he has no doubt that the faculty has made giant strides in producing high-flying individuals worthy of emulation and celebration.
He also noted that it is part of our social responsibility to feed the geese that lay the golden eggs.
Okoro said in the past few years, the number of students and staff members has increased overwhelmingly.
He said the result is that basic infrastructures are overtasked.
“In fact, the faculty lecture theatre can no longer take all our 100 level students taking faculty-wide courses. To this end, we urgently need a faculty lecture theatre with office accommodation to cater for our teeming new members of staff who now use cars as offices,” Okoro said.
“Rainy season has become nightmarish for both staff and students of the faculty.”
Okoro further stated that the roofs of the faculty leak profusely such that after each bout of rain, the floors of the complex become waterlogged.
He said there is need for urgent interventions in the re-roofing of the complex to forestall further depreciation of the edifice to the point of possible collapse.
Culled from guardian.ng
