BY EJIIKE UCHELLA
Tomorrow, February 5th 2011, all road leads to The Michael Okpara University, Umudike, Abia State as it holds its 4th convocation. Activities marking the ceremony began on Monday, January 5th 2011 with a news conference hosted by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ikenna Onyido, FAS. The event was followed by a convocation Thanksgiving service, yesterday, where the University, also known as God’s Own University, was rededicated to God. Today, Friday 4, 2011 at the ETF Hall, one of Nigeria’s finest captains of Industry, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Neimeth International Pharmaceuticals PLC, Mazi Sam Ohuabunwa will deliver the University’s Convocation Lecture titled: University-Industry Relationship: Understanding the Missing Link and Re-negotiating the Symbiosis. During the 4th convocation ceremony, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, the youngest of Nigeria’s Universities of Agriculture, shall formally admit its grandaunts at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels into the convocation. These include graduands for the 2008/2009 and 2009/2010 sessions.
The University shall also confer honorary doctorate degrees on some eminent Nigerians who have distinguished themselves in their various fields of endeavour and have contributed immensely to the development of the country. They include a distinguished scientist and power generation expert, Professor Bath Nnaji, Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mrs Farida Waziri, and the First Vice-Chancellor of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Placid C. Njoku. The significance of the convocation is the fact that it is the 4th since the University took off in 1994 and the last under the leadership of Professor Onyido, whose tenure ends on February 28, 2011. The University shall during the ceremony re-launch her endowment fund to support its well-articulated strategic plan which is being hampered by very lean resources. In this regard, public and corporate organisations, spirited individuals as well as Governments of States in the South-East agro-ecological zone are being invited to support the University in its quest for academic excellence and infrastructural development. It is important to remark that in the past five years, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, under the visionary leadership of Professor Onyido, FAS, has been repositioned to make the much needed impact on society. The University has made significant progress in building an institution which is not only a frontline university but one which now contributes visibly and substantially to the improvement of Nigeria’s agricultural sector. In terms of mandate focus, the University has undoubtedly excelled in teaching and training of manpower in agriculture and related disciplines. It now has an institutional research policy and plan which defines and characterises her research focus and operational modalities.
It has also established an Extension Centre to manage her Millennium Development Goal-patterned extension and outreach activities. Communities around the University are now benefiting from these efforts. As Michael Okpara University of Agriculture holds her 4th and solemn convocation, the efforts of the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ikenna Onyido in providing excellent leadership and laying a formidable foundation for the total transformation of the university, is highly commendable as he successfully completes his five-year tenure which commenced March 1, 2006. The graduands also deserve to be congratulated for being found worthy in learning and character for the degrees of the University just as they are enjoin to continue to represent the ideals of the University as they integrate into the larger society. Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike commends the Federal Government for its continued support which has enabled it to record outstanding achievements in line with its mandate. However, the University is still face with the challenge of inadequate funding. The 4th convocation ceremony taking place tomorrow will therefore serve as a platform to appeal to well-meaning Nigerians, corporate organisations and governments to partner with the University and contribute to its endowment fund and by so doing write their names in gold in the University’s Hall of Fame.
Source: recorded live from FRCN daily comentary
Sunday, March 6, 2011
LESSONS FROM THE POLITICAL PARTY PRIMARIES
BY ELIAGWU ABUTU
In compliance with the INEC timetable for the 2011 general elections, political parties have conducted their primaries and elected flag bearers for the April polls. After the hectic exercise, Nigerians now know the candidates of the parties to be voted for during the general elections. The party primaries were expected to be a litmus test ahead of the April polls in terms of the conduct, the attitude of aspirants, delegates, politicians, party supporters and other stakeholders.
Now that the primaries have come and gone, many are of the opinion that there have been a change for the better ,despite various complaints and protests by some aspirants and their supporters in most of the political parties. As the political parties and their flag bearers prepare for the battle ahead, there are some interesting lessons to draw. It must be appreciated that there was high enthusiasm among party men and women as demonstrated by their high turn out for the exercise. This time around the delegates showed that they were willing to be truly involved in the selection process, rather than staying away and allowing the entrenchment of undemocratic practices and choices. This is a reflection of the high spirit and interest of most Nigerians to now actively participate in the electoral processes to be able to elect credible leaders.
Although there was display of undemocratic conduct by some party members at some of the primaries, most delegates, however, having learnt their lessons, avoided provocations as a sacrifice for peace and security that relatively prevailed across the country.
Added to this was the high level of patriotism and commitment displayed by the security agencies in maintaining peace particularly during the various national party conventions in Abuja. Delegates who left their places with fear, in the wake of the spate of bombings to attend the primaries and conventions returned home full of commendations for the effective security arrangement at the various venues. It is expected that the police and other security agencies will improve on the success. Another interesting lesson from the party primaries was the defeat of many incumbents by relatively unknown new aspirants across the parties.
According to media reports, many incumbent senators and members of the House of Representatives may not return following their defeat at the primaries.
The case is the same at the State Houses of Assembly where many incumbents including some speakers lost their bid for re-election.
Other political bigwigs who resigned from public offices were not left out as they could not secure the tickets of their parties at the primaries.
Some analysts have attributed the defeat of such aspirants to lack of constant interaction and consultations with their constituencies. The clear message from this is that it is no longer business as usual. It is therefore expected that this will serve as a lesson to politicians when they are elected to serve the people. Perhaps, the bitter lesson to draw from the party primaries was the spate of defections. While some aspirants may have genuine reasons for cross-carpeting, many may have taken the decision borne out of desperation. For democracy to develop , politicians must imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting defeat and congratulating the winner.
That is why the reconciliatory moves by some political parties is a welcome development that would reduce tension and prevent violence in the build up to the April polls.
And now that the primaries are over, the political parties are encouraged to re-strategize to ensure that the country records a credible election that will stand the test of time
In compliance with the INEC timetable for the 2011 general elections, political parties have conducted their primaries and elected flag bearers for the April polls. After the hectic exercise, Nigerians now know the candidates of the parties to be voted for during the general elections. The party primaries were expected to be a litmus test ahead of the April polls in terms of the conduct, the attitude of aspirants, delegates, politicians, party supporters and other stakeholders.
Now that the primaries have come and gone, many are of the opinion that there have been a change for the better ,despite various complaints and protests by some aspirants and their supporters in most of the political parties. As the political parties and their flag bearers prepare for the battle ahead, there are some interesting lessons to draw. It must be appreciated that there was high enthusiasm among party men and women as demonstrated by their high turn out for the exercise. This time around the delegates showed that they were willing to be truly involved in the selection process, rather than staying away and allowing the entrenchment of undemocratic practices and choices. This is a reflection of the high spirit and interest of most Nigerians to now actively participate in the electoral processes to be able to elect credible leaders.
Although there was display of undemocratic conduct by some party members at some of the primaries, most delegates, however, having learnt their lessons, avoided provocations as a sacrifice for peace and security that relatively prevailed across the country.
Added to this was the high level of patriotism and commitment displayed by the security agencies in maintaining peace particularly during the various national party conventions in Abuja. Delegates who left their places with fear, in the wake of the spate of bombings to attend the primaries and conventions returned home full of commendations for the effective security arrangement at the various venues. It is expected that the police and other security agencies will improve on the success. Another interesting lesson from the party primaries was the defeat of many incumbents by relatively unknown new aspirants across the parties.
According to media reports, many incumbent senators and members of the House of Representatives may not return following their defeat at the primaries.
The case is the same at the State Houses of Assembly where many incumbents including some speakers lost their bid for re-election.
Other political bigwigs who resigned from public offices were not left out as they could not secure the tickets of their parties at the primaries.
Some analysts have attributed the defeat of such aspirants to lack of constant interaction and consultations with their constituencies. The clear message from this is that it is no longer business as usual. It is therefore expected that this will serve as a lesson to politicians when they are elected to serve the people. Perhaps, the bitter lesson to draw from the party primaries was the spate of defections. While some aspirants may have genuine reasons for cross-carpeting, many may have taken the decision borne out of desperation. For democracy to develop , politicians must imbibe the spirit of sportsmanship by accepting defeat and congratulating the winner.
That is why the reconciliatory moves by some political parties is a welcome development that would reduce tension and prevent violence in the build up to the April polls.
And now that the primaries are over, the political parties are encouraged to re-strategize to ensure that the country records a credible election that will stand the test of time
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