ASUU, AE -FUNAI Holds Maiden Public Lecture

The Academic Staff Union of Universities, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike chapter, recently held its Maiden Public Lecture titled: "REINVENTING NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT: THE ASUU PERSPECTIVE".

Myschoolnews reports the lecture was geared towards promoting the cause of University education in Nigeria through the improvement of ethics, ethos and ideals of our universities.

Declaring the lecture open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sunday Elom who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic, Professor Romanus Ejiaga, noted that the lecture serves the best interests of not only members of the academia but also public policy makers, higher educational planning officials and professionals in Nigeria and around the region.

He emphasised that the theme of the lecture, ‘’Reinventing Nigerian Universities for Research and Development: The ASUU Perspective’’ was relevant, adding that the downward trend in the Nigerian University System has been a source of worry for parents, educational administrators as well as policy makers and Nigerians in general.

Professor Elom asserted that in any society, education remains the major means of equipping  citizens with the necessary attitudes, knowledge and skills that will enable them contribute meaningfully to national and human development, stressing that the socio-economic, technological and cultural advancement of any nation depends on the level of education of its citizens. He however, added that there is need for a total overhaul and re-invention of Universities to stimulate greater productivity and meaningful development of both the individual and the Nigerian nation.

The Vice-Chanfcellor affirmed that there is no doubt, the lecture was a topical and contemporary discourse coming at a time the country is wrestling with huge and multifaceted challenges in the Nigerian University system. He therefore, called on the academia to lead the change and play major roles as they have the deepest understanding of the goals of  higher education, the cultures and distinctions of their operations.

He equally assured the university management’s continued support in maintaining industrial peace and harmony on campus.

Earlier in his welcome address, the ASUU AE-FUNAI Branch Chairman, Comrade Ogugua Egwu, expressed satisfaction for  the support of  the Vice-Chancellor and his management team in making the event a reality, adding that ASUU, AE-FUNAI Branch has done well in the aspects of teaching, learning and research  in the university. He assured his contemporaries that he will continue to support them even as his tenure comes to an end, while appreciating his superiors, the immediate past President and the current President for finding time to come for the ground-breaking ceremony of their Secretariat.

The ASUU National President, Professor Emmanuel Osodeke while making his speech, commended the management of AE-FUNAI for not compromising any of the union’s struggles, adding that the last struggle was a difficult one but it was carefully handled.

He congratulated the branch Chairman, Comrade Egwu and his team for the massive secretariat building  being constructed  for their branch as well as maintaining peace and harmony in the University. He enjoined all the academic staff to be focused in the discharge of their duties while assuring them that their struggle for improvement in education will not be in vain.

While speaking on the topic of the lecture, the guest lecturer and the immediate past ASUU President, Professor Biodun Ogunyemi, stated  that all modern nation-states prioritise research and innovation to  bring about qualitative and quantitative improvement in the life of their people, adding that research involves diligent investigations in response to life challenges.

He also noted that  consistent research efforts produce improved ways of meeting human needs as well as responding to existential threats of survival at the levels of individuals and the society, adding that cumulative research efforts lead to innovations which in turn, transform people’s lives and climax into development.

Professor Ogunyemi explained that development occurs when there are positive and sustainable changes that improve the way people live and make a living, and the ultimate goal of applied or experimental research is to incrementally foster development.

He reiterated that university education proved the broadest framework for impactful research in the contemporary world, adding that no nation can aspire to greatness in the 21st century without prioritising research and development.

Concluding, he maintained that the struggles of ASUU were informed by patriotic ideas and ideals and over the years, the union has been fortunate to have been led in branches and at the national levels mostly by patriots who are committed to the ethos, principles and values of the union. He stated that for ASUU to remain relevant within the ambit of its objectives, its membership must not let off their guard; and must continually leverage their intellectual capital and remain united to overcome whatever temporary setbacks that come their way.

Highlight of the event was performance by the Theatre Arts Department tagged ‘ASUU Struggle’, Unveiling of the  AE-FUNAI ASUU Secretariat and tree planting by the President, Prof. Osadeke in support of the  Campus-Green Initiative of the University.