Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu has assured of his administration’s support and commitment towards the growth and success of the British Nigerian University. This is coming as he announced scholarships to the first 20 students of the institution with 5 of the students from Ukwa West where the school is located.
The governor made the assurance and announcement during the official opening of the university, with a charge to parents to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the institution to curb education migration to other parts of the world.
The Governor while noting that part of his administration’s commitment is to make Abia state an enclave for education from the Primary through Secondary and Tertiary levels, as well also said his government created platforms and opportunities for young emerging intellectuals to learn, express themselves and aspire to become whatever they desire.
He further noted that the addition of the institution within the Abia space is not only a blessing to the state but a step away from the usual and expressed hope that the University would top the league of universities in Nigeria and across Africa.
Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Ruth Oxford, and Director, Academic Planning, Dr. Medley Mayfield in their separate speeches said the Nigerian British University, the first of it’s kind East of the Niger will among other things offer proactive and distinctive research, ensure practical academic experiences, and designed to give first hand academic and industrial mentorship programmes with first class facilities built with the learners in mind to graduates that will compete globally in any sphere of life.
They both assured students of an exciting academic journey with world class educational experience and a flagship programme that will help advance academic careers and excellence in human capital development as it prides itself of being the first to have a golf course in Nigeria.
They further revealed that the institution will not tolerate abuse of any kind and has a goal to be excellent in everything it does now and forever because they are committed and dedicated to making Nigerian British University a citadel of intellectual minds with state of the arts educational facilities and urged everyone to be part of the journey of making education the envy of all.
They however, commended the Abia State Governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu for his enthusiasm and collaboration towards achieving the landmark university while describing him as an educational friendly governor.
Pro Chancellor of the University, Dr. Chukwuemeka Umeoji described the day as significant for the institution and a dream come true while thanking governor for his support towards the actualization of the world class institution.
He said it became imperative to stem the trend and change the education narrative in Nigeria hence the establishment of a British model of education in Nigeria as it remains the most acceptable model across the world. Dr. Umeoji assured that the institution of higher learning would become an honour for the host community, Abia and Nigeria at large.
He further revealed that the academic session will allow staff and students have an international collaboration for the overall development of both staff and students of the institution.
The Pro Chancellor said the institution has developed a robust strategy to get campus and off campus learning, run a 247 system where students are treated as diplomats and seen as one whle leaving a legacy that will outlive them.
According to him “I understand the value of education and it’s impact on the society. It can transform human character and henderson. This was what propelled my resolve to embark on this project to promote educational development.
“We are coming with a unique system because education is a global subject. The advent of covid-19 opened our eyes to a different dimension of acquiring education so we are trying to run an off- and on+campus programme”.
“We want to implement a 24 hour service programme even if you are in a different time zone you can be a student of this university. We have a strong IT infrastructure that has a database that can give students lectures delivered even as far back as two years ago”.
“The issue of students spending longer than necessary in school is ruled out. Considering the economic hardship, we cannot afford to allow a student spend more than four years studying a course of four years.”
The event had in attendance, educational stakeholders from across Nigeria, the member representing Aguata Federal Constituency, Hon. Chukwuma Umeoji, traditional rulers from Anambra and Abia State, Hon. Godwin Adiele representing Ukwa west State Constituency in the Abia State House of Assembly and his Ukwa East Counterpart, Hon. Mezie Nwubani, Secretary to the State Government, Barr. Chris Ezem, Abia State Executive Council among others.
