By Our correspondent
It was a day of mixed emotions as former Vice-Chancellor, University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba marks his 70 years birthday as well as his official retirement from Service of the University.
The event attracted Dignitaries from different walks of life to celebrate a man, who gave his best to God and Mankind.
The topic of this special day is an interesting and topical one, considering that the issue of university autonomy is one of the most interesting, misunderstood and controversial policy as far as education is concerned in the country.
The Current Vice-Chancellor of the Institution, Prof. Igwe said Prof. Ozumba, a former Provost College of Medicine UNN and Vice-Chancellor of the university, recorded many achievements as the 14th Vice-chancellor of the UNN as the university would forever remain grateful to him.
In his remarks, Dr Tony Nwoye representing Anambra North Senatorial District described Prof. Ozumba as a Father and role model to many people including himself.
Nwoye said,“That I am a Medical Doctor now is as a result of his fatherly advice to me.
Nwoye congratulated Ozumba on his illustrious service to the university and contributions to the body of knowledge. I wish you well, and prayed that you would enjoy the fruits of your labour in good health.
Senator Dr Tony Nwoye said that UNN as the first university in the country needed N20b intervention from the Federal Government to upgrade infrastructures, boost teaching and learning.
As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, “I will make this request on the floor of the Senate, I ask my friend, the JAMB registrar to help tell the presidency for this intervention,” he said.
Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, in delivering a lecture titled; “Institutional Autonomy, Accountability and the Quest for Efficient Governance of Nigerian Universities,” said that discourse on University autonomy and accountability had become complicated in recent years given that diverse opinions of segments of society had developed different notions of what these would be to universities.
“It is in the interest of every nation to protect both academic freedom and institutional autonomy in the universities for improved productivity in research and innovation.
“Critical questions must be asked on how universities have been able to utilise the money given to them in the interest of the country’s education and economic development.
“Universities must know that they have the responsibility of quality teaching, research and community service as well as proffering solutions to critical national issues and being accountable to the government,”.
The highlight of the occasion was cutting of Ozumba’s retirement and 70th birthday cake.
Also, the Students of University of Nigeria Nsukka led by their Student Union President, were on Ground to receive Dr Tony Nwoye into the School. Also on ground to welcome him to the school is Post Graduate Students of the school who were from Anambra State.
Senator Dr Tony Nwoye is a product of UNN, He was the first Medical Student to become The Speaker of the Student Union Parliament of the School. He later became National President of National Association of Nigerian Students, The first Igbo student and Undergraduate to do so.
