The need for public private sector involvement in funding of Universities across the country to achieve quality education formed highpoint of speeches made by stakeholders during the home coming and award night of the Alumni Association, Faculty of Management Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.
The maiden edition of the annual event was held in Awka, from where Correspondent Ngozi Obileri reports that the home coming and award night of members of Alumni Association of the Faculty of Management Sciences of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, was the first of its kind in this part of the world, where those who graduated from the Faculty came together, to make donations and brainstorm on how to sustain the Faculty and at the same time produce quality graduates who will be Ambassadors of the Faculty and the institution at large.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister of State for Mines and Steel, Mr. Uche Ogah , commended the Alumni for coming together for a common goal and said that it is the duty of Alumni to develop their Alma mater through social responsibility.
In a key note speech, the Chairman of Air Peace Airline, Mr. Allen Onyema, called for autonomy of Universities and sponsorship from public and private individuals so as to take education in the country to its pride of place, regretting that education has been relegated to the background in the affairs of the country.
The Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka, Professor Charles Esimone, while declaring the event open, described the move by the Faculty as a right step in the right direction, as he noted that it was in line with his vision of making the institution among the best two hundred Universities in the world, charging other Faculties in the school to emulate them.
Earlier in an opening speech, the Chairman on the occasion, Senator Annie Okonkwo, applauded the Dean of the Faculty for achieving the feat three months after taking over leadership of the Faculty, adding that the state of Nigerian Universities should be a concern to everyone.
In a welcome address, the Dean of the Faculty, Professor Lillian Orogbu, said she was moved by the infrastructural decay in the Faculty, which according to her, affects quality teaching and learning, adding that the event, which will come up annually, is targeted at providing offices , bus and other amenities for the Faculty.
The Chairman, Local Organising Committee of the program, Associate Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe, noted that the event was apt because government alone cannot handle development of all the Universities in the country if quality education would be achieved.
The event, which featured presentation of awards to notable individuals who have contributed to community and social development, was attended by many Traditional rulers, including the Traditional ruler of Mbaukwu, Igwe Peter Anugwu and his Umunya counterpart, Igwe Kris Onyekwuluje, a renowned scholar, Professor Pat Utomi , politicians, the business class, former Vice Chancellor of UNIZIK, Professor Egboka, among others.
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