NOUN Vice-Chancellor Commends Ossah Community for Ceding School Property for New Study Centre

The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Prof. Olufemi Peters, has praised the Eziama/Mgbaja Autonomous Community in Ossah Ibeku, Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State, for ceding part of the Ossah Community Secondary School (OCSS) to the university for use as a study centre.

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Admin), Prof. Isaac Butswat, Prof. Peters expressed his gratitude during the formal inspection and handover of the facility to NOUN on Tuesday, August 13, 2024. The decision to establish the study centre followed NOUN’s disengagement from a memorandum of understanding with the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI) in Umudike.

Prof. Peters highlighted that the new study centre would bring education closer to the people of the community, enhancing their capacity and providing greater access to learning opportunities. He thanked the Executive Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, the Ministry of Education, and the Eze and people of Ossah Community for their roles in facilitating the ceding of the property.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged the community to take full advantage of the study centre, urging them to enroll and support the centre's growth. He also emphasized the importance of protecting the centre's property and cooperating with the centre's director and staff. Furthermore, he underscored the need to hand over the title deed and site plan to NOUN, acknowledging that the facility is a temporary site until a permanent location is established.

Prof. Peters called on community stakeholders and philanthropists to fund and sponsor indigent students interested in furthering their education, while also advocating for increased enrollment at the centre.

HRM Eze Chiabuotu Emelike, the Ezimba 1 and Traditional Ruler of Eziama/Mgbaja Autonomous Community, expressed enthusiasm for the development. He noted the significance of bringing education to the community and pledged to encourage his subjects to utilize the new centre. The royal father also emphasized the importance of collaboration between the community and the university to ensure the centre's success. He even shared his personal intention to enroll for a PhD at the centre, marking 30 years since he earned his Master's degree from the University of Lagos.

Former Commissioner for Digital Communication in Abia State, Hon. Ugochukwu Emezue, commended the Abia State government for its approval to cede part of OCSS to NOUN and praised the unity of purpose among the three traditional rulers and the committee that worked to complete the project.

Dignitaries at the event included the university’s Registrar, Mr. Oladipo Ajayi; Director of Learner Support Services, Dr. Sefinat Omuya; Deputy Director of Physical Planning and Works Services, Arc. Suleiman Haruna; and other prominent members of the community and university representatives.