IAUE: VC Calls on Home Economics Department to Ensure Sustainable Future

The Acting Vice Chancellor of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education (IAUE) Professor Okechuku Onuchuku has called on the Department of Home Economics, Hospitality and Tourism to help develop a sustainable future for all through sustainable food production. 

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He made the call during the World Home Economics Day celebration on Monday March 25 ,2024 at the Department.

Represented by the Associate Dean Postgraduate School Professor Chibuzor Nwobueze, the Vice Chancellor acknowledged the role played by the Department towards peace and problem solving initiatives especially for the vulnerable ones in the society who are constantly being exploited.

The Acting Vice Chancellor added that sustainable food production remains a major building block and ingredient for achieving a sustainable future.

He also stressed the need to make the Department gender friendly to accommodate menfolk who are interested in the programme, constantly impart and develop entrepreneurial skills in students in addition to moulding their character for societal growth.

Professor Onuchuku who observed that the level of poverty is increasing at an alarming rate encouraged the Department to continue to contribute to education for sustainable development through solution based, research and community outreach.

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He further urged them to stop at nothing to ensure fairness and equitable participation in the market place, safeguard their rights and prevent exploitation.

Also speaking, the Head of Ndele Campus and Dean Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education Professor Isaac Ogundu lauded the Department for promoting the significance of the day, the Department and Profession with the celebration.

He informed that because the Department enhances skills of students, creates job, graduate employers of labour and not job seekers, that the University Management ensures that they are comfortable for them to carry out their duties.

Professor Ogundu thanked Sister Universities who came to identify with their own adding that the University holds the Department in high esteem as they provide enough food for the institution in addition to teaching students how to responsibly manage resources at home.

In her address, the Head Department of Home Economics, Hospitality and Tourism Dr (Mrs) Reginah Azunwena noted that the World Home Economics Day is an annual event celebrated by Home Economics Department in all Tertiary institutions worldwide to showcase the Department and inspire others to appreciate the value and relevance of Home Economics. According to her, the event is an opportunity to bring to light the transformative potential of their discipline and to motivate individuals who may not have previously considered it as a path to realize its profound importance.

 While urging all to reflect on the critical role that Home Economics plays in shaping the society and empowering individuals to thrive in an ever changing world, Dr Azunwena expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and his Management team for unwavering, unflinching support towards the growth of the Department and the actualization of the celebration.

She described as timely and relevant the theme for 2024 "Home Economics 3.0: A Critical Update: Digital Technology Climate Change and Global Markets Place Pressure on Vulnerable Consumers" which has multi-disciplinary dimensions stating that Home Economics is well prepared discipline to help families cope with the challenges of home.

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The services of Home Economics she maintained is primarily concerned with strengthening the family life through educating the individual for family living, improving the services and goods used by families and society. The rootedness of Home Economics in the family lives she emphasised lifts it above other disciplines maintaining that if the foundation or base of the family is properly taken care of, then the Nation will be secured.

The Head of Department enumerated her humble achievement and requested for the construction of new Home Management Residential flat, building of Food Science Analysis Laboratory domiciled in the Department to serve as an internally generated revenue to the Department and University and building of Relish Kitchen which is one of the major requirements demanded from Officials of the National Universities commission (NUC) during their last visit.

There were goodwill speeches from Professor Mercy Ifeanachor, Head of Department of Food, Nutrition and Home Science, University of Port-Harcourt and Professor Juliet Emelike, Head of Department of Home Science and Management Rivers State University.

In a vote of thanks, the Chairperson Local Organising Committee Miss Linda Obile expressed gratitude to the Vice Chancellor, his Management team, Head of Ndele Campus and friends of the Department from Sister Universities, staff and students who found time to grace the occasion with their presence.

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The event featured dance performance, cutting of cake, fashion parade, exhibition of products produced by the Department. A one hundred level student Miss Gift Chinyere Nwaiwu who baked a cake to mark the day's celebration was commended and encouraged by the Representative of the Vice Chancellor and the Dean Faculty of Vocational and Technical Education and Head of Ndele Campus.