₦airaland Forum

SSANU ZEC PAY COURTESY VISIT TO AE-FUNAI VC
Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities, Zonal Executive Council, yesterday, 10th July, 2019, held their conference in Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State at the university’s main auditorium.
Receiving the Executives of SSANU at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room, Prof. Philip Omoke, representing the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba noted that SSANU-AE-FUNAI branch has been very active, cooperative and has consistently shown interest in the activities and affairs of the university.

Comrade (Dr.) Leku L.Ador,National Vice- President, SSANU Eastern Zone, noted that Prof. Nwajiuba has endeared himself to the union and maintained that he is humble and remained an achiever per excellence. He emphasized that SSANU is a peace making and dialogue-oriented union. He affirmed that AE-FUNAI Vice-Chancellor has done all, received all and gotten all in prompt promotion of staff, salary payment, staff capacity building and unequalled vigorous infrastructural development. He however prayed he should not allow ‘a drop of kerosene to filter waters of his track record’
Comrade Emmanuel Chigbata, AE-FUNAI Branch Chairman, thanked the labour-friendly Vice-Chancellor for his full support to the union through prompt payment of allowances, upgrade, proper placement and industrial harmony, existing in the university among others. He further called on the management to be mindful of introducing any policy that will encourage selective promotion and witch-hunting.

National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Abuja on Wednesday 10th July, 2019, paid courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba. The visit was to brief the VC on the planned workshop for Ebonyi state youths and students of AE-FUNAI and to solicit for support and active participation of students in the media literacy and capacity building forum, which the board is organizing for students across country.
Prof. Philip Omoke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Administration, who received the visitors on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, thanked them and iterates that the university needs such opportunities to impart new ideas to the young minds. He posited that the university has good breeds that are ready to utilize such avenue and promised to support the team throughout their stay in the campus.

Alhaji Adedayo Thomas, Executive Director, NFVCB and leader of the team, stated that the board has successfully organized similar workshops in many universities such as ABU, Igbinedion, Nassrawa state university, Benue State University, Lagos State University, and now AE-FUNAI. He maintained that institutions that are tipped for the project have the requisite qualities and knowledge that form basis for the selection.
The University Director, Center for Research and Development, Prof. Dennis Akor, who actually facilitated the choice of AE- FUNAI and the visit, noted that the workshop is organized by the centre in collaboration with NFVCB to train Ebonyi Youths and AE-FUNAI students on film classification technique at 50-50 percent ratio selection among the two groups.

• New president vows to stamp out social vices
Students of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, yesterday, decided at the polling booths, chose their 2019/2020 President and other officers . The election was peaceful, free and fair as students came out en masse to vote their choice candidate without rancor.
Speaking after the declaration and announcement of the result, the Dean, Student Affairs, Dr. Otu Akanu Otu explained that the success recorded before, during and after the students election was as the result of the enduring peace the students have been enjoying under the administration of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba.
Chima Solomon Chijioke, President-elect, AE-FUNAI Students Union Government, during an interview with a Public Relations/Information Officer, said that he was overwhelmed with joy as his fears of rigging and violence were allayed by the high level preparedness of the electoral committee who were on hand to deliver their rightful candidates

AE-FUNAI showcase igbo culture, marks igbo day in grand sytle…
Staff and students of department of Languages/Linguistics/Literary Studies, Faculty of Humanities, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, (AE-FUNAI) and other members of the university community and their guests, recently celebrated Igbo day in grand style, where guest speakers and participants dressed in Igbo traditional attire and made presentations only in Igbo language. The occasion which took place at the Igbo village along Chief Martin N. Elechi’s road AE-FUNAI, attracted dignitaries including HRH Eze Erimogudu III of Amagu, Ikwo, Eze Domnic Alo, who joined AE-FUNAI community in celebrating Igbo people and promoting the culture.
The Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, who witnessed the ceremony called on many Nigerians especially the Igbo extraction to always express themselves in their mother-tongue and exhibit their traditional leanings in character and dressing, adding that Igbo dialects and culture should be respected and promoted always. His body language suggests deep reflection of the event as his regalia was practically native.

Prof. Romanus C. Ejiaga, Dean, Faculty of Humanities, in his welcome address, thanked the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba to making this event a remarkable one. He added that Igbo language and culture is highly promoted in AE-FUNAI as championed by the management and staff of the university.
Professor Ejiagha averred that Igbo language is under threat and that if we stand by and do nothing, we will lose the fight. He said that Igbo culture is not just about Igbo language but showcases the food we eat and what we wear. “Our children have deviated from that which we are known for by trying to be what they are not. Embrace our values and traditions and be proud of our language and culture”, he said. He encouraged parents abroad to imbibe in their children a home culture by bringing them regularly on holidays so as to acquaint them with Igbo traditional culture.
Dr. Queen E. Agwu, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Ebonyi state, and the chairperson of the occasion, maintained that the quality of our lives to a great extent depends on the ability to benefit from our culture and expressed her appreciation at the establishment of AE-FUNAI in Ebonyi state, adding that higher institutions bring development to the society and attracts government attention to infrastructural developments and rural expansion which in turn, promotes peoples culture. She lamented that parents have neglected their roles in imparting Igbo language as the first language a child should learn and appealed to parents, staff and students to always remember the Igbo culture even as they travel abroad for further education.
Dr.Ngozi Onuora, Coordinator, Igbo Centre pointed out that the theme for this year’s Igbo cultural Day focused on Igbo Language and protection of the Igbo People; Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow. She maintained that it is only in Igbo land that parents beat their children simply because they speak Igbo language and that children of nowadays (Igbo children) no longer have respect for their elders at home and outside in the name of copying other peoples’ culture. Why have we neglected the culture which our forefathers left for us?, she rhetorically queried. Dr. Onuora urged parents and staff to wake up from slumber, join hands together to bring back our lost tradition by helping our children to learn and speak Igbo language.
Prof. Nkechinyere Nwokoye, a lecturer in the department of Linguistics/Igbo, opined that Igbos have a unique way of life, the way they greet, the way they dress and live like brothers and sisters with great love for each other makes them unique. She maintained that Igbo names are significant and indicates the background of a person, adding that attention has to be paid to the kind of names we give our children.
Highlight of the event were Chieftaincy awards to Mr.Eze Christopher as ‘Ozo Igbo Ndu-Nke-Mbu Na AE-FUNAI’, Mr.Ifeanyi N. Nwudele ‘Mmiri- Na-Ezoro-Ora-Nke-Mbu Na AE-FUNAI’ and Mr Chuwuebuka Ezennaka as ‘Ugochi Mere Eze-Gburugburu-Nke-Mbu Na AE-FUNAI’ .
Students Debate, Drama presentation and Dance competitions by various groups were not left out in the celebration package.

In the verge to acknowledging and supporting the good works of Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, especially in academic excellence and infrastructural development, Prof. Agha U. Agha, Professor of Religion and Cultural Studies, and formerly of the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), today, 10th July, 2019, paid courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor and made donation of books to the university. While presenting his donation, he expressed his profound commitment to supporting the Vice-Chancellor and the new university to steadily drive towards achieving its vision.
Receiving the visitor in his office, Prof. Philip Omoke, DVC Administration, who represented the Vice- Chancellor, thanked him for his generosity and affirmed that students and staff will judiciously utilize the rare gift.

In the spirit of ‘Be your brother’s keeper- rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn, ‘’which has of course become a tenet in the melting pot of the university, Vice-Chancellor Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba on Friday 5th July, 2019 led principal officers, good number of senior and junior staff of AE-FUNAI to the burial of the father-in-law of the university Registrar, Odisa Okeke(Mrs).

Reverend Geoffrey Chukwuemeka Okeke, a retired Assistant Chief Agriculture Superintendant and Minister of God, departed this world at age of 93 and survived by wife, children, grand and great- grandchildren and relations including our own Odisa C. Okeke (Mrs).

The burial service at St. Christopher Anglican Church, Ndam Ngo,Nnobi, Anambra state, was attended by many Bishops, Reverends and members of the Anglican Communion within and outside Anambra state, including Bishop Ifemene of Ikwo Diocese, Ebonyi State.

Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Nwajiuba and university officers who were on grand at the funeral service to join in praying for repose of the soul of Rev. Pa Okeke and commiserate with Registrar and entire Okeke family gave necessary support and encouragement to our beloved Registrar.

Odisa Okeke (Mrs) who was overwhelmed and highly elated at the gesture, especially the large turn out to the burial, expressed utmost gratitude to our dear VC and his entourage for standing strong by her and family at a time like this.
The body of Rev. Geoffrey was laid to rest in the Church premises.

• MTN offers automatic employment to students
Centre for Entrepreneurship and Employability (CEE), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, in the drive to prepare students to face challenge of searching for greener pastures and white collar jobs, organised Extra Value Trade Fair to engaged students in a small and medium enterprise. The fair basically aimed at engaging students in showcasing and selling of shoes, bags, woven and sown cloths, toiletries including perfumes, beverages, snacks air freshener, soap, creams, disinfectants produced by the students themselves.
While declaring the exhibition open, the Vice- Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, who was represented by the Deputy Vice- Chancellor, Academic, Professor Sunday Elom, expressed delight and commended the landmark achievements, foresight and fruitful venture of the Acting Director of the Centre, Dr Makuochukwu Ojide. He pledged that AE-FUNAI as an institution will encourage this kind of programme, especially any student that has good business idea.


Dr Ojide disclosed that students were grouped into 86 different units to produce any product they picked at a random sample and that the Centre attached a staff to each group to ensure every student participated in the production process and also monitor to prevent them against bringing in same products from the market in pretence that they produced them.
The fair was also intended to raise funds to augment whatever provisions the university make for the development of the Centre.

Acting Director, Dr. Ojide earlier organised a top free employability workshop for final year students of the university tagged: Final Year Roundtable on Employability which aimed at ensuring that AE-FUNAI students stand out in the labour market as employable and employers of labour. Resource persons from Fidelity Bank were present to share with students what the private sector expect from fresh graduates during interviews, using two thousand (2,000) graduates who applied for a particular job in an organisation that needed only fifty (50) candidates for the job, as case study.

The Centre also recently organised another workshop where students were trained on major relevant skills; Presentation, Exploring Employability Skill (Group Discussion and presentations), Techniques on interview (Handling Personal Fears in career), Techniques on how to prepare good Curriculum Vitae, Excelling in labour market. Real life story and general work ethics were used to drive the training home.

Interactive session at the employability workshop.
In the course of the training, the students were screened thoroughly on Comportment, Communication skill, knowledge skill and Current Affairs, as though they were in job interview. Following the outcome of the result of the exercise, two students emerged top most winners, consequently, MTN representatives who were on ground to witness the performance of the students picked unusual interest and offered instant employment to the two winners on graduation, if they would like to work in MTN .

National Universities Commission (NUC) Parastatal Servicom Committee (PSC) (Servicom Focal Officers in Nigerian Universities), yesterday, held their meeting at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State.
Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, on their arrival, offered the officers warm welcome in his conference room and expressed his gratitude to NUC PSC for agreeing to host this year’s 2nd quarter meeting in our university”. He asked them to continue their good works so as to sanitize the system and enthrone right attitude and discipline in the comity of Nigerian university. Prof. Nwajiuba expressed his regret for Nigerians who have disposition to poor attitude to work. According to him, “there are too many problems in Nigeria and these problems start with attitude towards jobs. People are not working. Our generation ruined the system and must sit up to correct”.
In his speech at the University Main Auditorium, venue of the opening ceremony, Prof. Nwajiuba noted that since its establishment by the Presidency in 2004 following lackluster attitude of public servants towards their job, SERVICOM has principally entrenched a mechanism for the timely and effective provision of basic services to which citizens are entitled and deserve. He mentioned that huge challenges are facing Nigeria’s workforce and concluded that, “there is a general culture of lack of seriousness among public servants”.
Mrs. Adebukola Olatunji, NODAL Officer SERVICOM and Chairperson, NUC/PSC who spoke for the team, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for being instrumental to the hosting of their 26th meeting of the second Quarter in AE-FUNAI. She maintained that SERVICOM is all about quality service delivery and extended the regards of Prof. Abubakar Rasheed, Executive Secretary of NUC to the Vice-Chancellor adding that part of their mission is “to ensure we connect citizens”.

Mrs. Nnenna Akeyemeli, National Coordinator, SERVICOM, Office of the Presidency, adding her voice, said that she had often heard about AE-FUNAI and the exploits the active Vice-Chancellor is doing and today (yesterday), was opportune to come in contact with him.
Mr. F.U. Onwumere, Focal Officer, SERVICOM, AE-FUNAI, expressed joy with the Vice-Chancellor who graciously approved the hosting of the meeting and pledged his unalloyed support to his administration to lift the standard of work ethics and quality service delivery in the institution.
Highlights of the event were awards and decoration of Vice-Chancellor as Grand Patron of AE- FUNAI SERVICOM along with principal officers of the university and launching of SERVICE CHARTER and Complaints Policy.

• Certifies level of preparedness for the commissioning
Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, yesterday, received delegation from Rural Electrification Agency (REA), Abuja, whose mission was to ascertain level of preparedness for the commissioning of the 1 mega watt hybrid plant installed by the Federal Government of Nigeria in the institution.
Receiving the delegation at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference room, Prof. Nwajiuba expressed deep satisfaction for the Presidency’s gesture to AE-FUNAI towards forestalling poor electricity supply in the university. “We are very very grateful. I wish the Presidency will continue to provide support to us. We have to modernize our facilities”, he said.

Prof. Nwajiuba called on the Presidency to intervene in the high level of infrastructural decay in the new university and restructure the old buildings as solution to the situation pointing out emphatically that “there are abandoned, poorly built, collapsed and collapsing buildings that need urgent intervention”.
The Vice-Chancellor said that our country should emulate advanced countries in the area of infrastructural development, character and manner, adding that many Nigerians lack these qualities resulting in shoddy deals and poor attitude that have become the order of our time.
Abubakar Ahmed, Deputy Director and leader of the delegation, noted that they were here for supervision of the work done and to have first-hand knowledge of realities on ground, to ensure the visit of Mr. President to commission the plant would be successful. To achieve effective collaboration in proper planning and execution of the commissioning, the leader of delegation requested the Vice- Chancellor to nominate few staff of the university to be part of the event planning. VC selected 3 of the key officers including Director and Deputy Director, Physical Planning, Works and Services, and Coordinator, Vice-Chancellor’s Office for this purpose.

As one of the three distinct features of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, a mighty sculpt of the soaring eagle at the entrance gate of the university campus was earlier today commissioned by the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba.

While addressing the students and staff who came out in their numbers to witness the commissioning, Prof. Nwajiuba recalled that on assumption of office in 2016 as Vice-Chancellor, he had to modify the elements of the university logo to include “true” soaring eagle, pointing out that the choice of the eagle in the university logo was very significant. He said the eagle symbolizes excellence, strength and integrity, which of course form basis for the university anthem. He made bold to tell the listening audience that he personally authored the anthem which attracted a rousing applaud.

Professor Nwajiuba further made all at the gathering to note that “AE-FUNAI is the home of soaring eagles.” Today will go down in the history of AE-FUNAI, a day the first mighty soaring eagle symbolized in the statue was commissioned to soar on even higher by the second Vice-Chancellor of AE-FUNAI, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba.

VICE-CHANCELLORS OF SOUTH EAST UNIVERSITIES MEET AGAIN AT AE-FUNAI, SEEK COLLABORATION AMONGST VARSITIES.

The Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu- Alike, Ebonyi State, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, yesterday hosted Association of Vice-Chancellor’s of South East Zone Universities (AVCSEU) for a second time this year.

Recall that on April 1- 2, 2019, Vice-Chancellor’s of South East Universities gathered at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu- Alike, to commence what has today become Association of Vice-Chancellor’s of South East Zone Universities (AVCSEU). Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba, initiator and convener stated at that first meeting that ‘’our idea is to create synergy amongst universities and offer each other assistance where required. Our relationship is complementary not competitive’’,
While welcoming members at the second meeting of the association held at the University Senate Chamber on July 2, 2019, the chairman, Prof. Nwajiuba stated that in April 2nd this year, the VCs met and agreed on the need for collaboration among the universities and as well support our private Universities. To him, the National Universities Commission (NUC) encourages such relationships and mentorship from the older universities, especially those classified as first generation.


Professor Nwajiuba appealed to the Federal and state universities to see this as an aspect of community service, adding that they are not in any competition with each other. ‘’Look around the Southeast, and reach out to any of the private universities, support them with staff and students’ exchanges and interactions, in lectures and supervision, grant access to facilities, send excess application for admission to them. Collaborate in research; invite them to seminars, workshops and others”. He urged any private university interested in the aforementioned to indicate for further discussions and possibly agree on Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and memorandum of Association (MoA).

Ms Chizoba Mojekwu, former Director, Human Capacity Development at CBN, who was invited to deliver key note speech, focused on innovation and new trends in human capacity development and management. She encouraged Vice-Chancellors to provide leadership that is dynamic and strong enough to drive the human and material resources available in the university community to achieve success.She maintained that in the last five years there is mismatch between the technical skills and what we think having strength in technical skills require.
Ms Mojekwu affirmed that new technology and new trend has enhanced rapid productivity in the world. She asked: ‘’How can we learn to innovate and disrupt? She maintained that innovation has to start from the universities and that the world will get to a time when they will no longer require degrees for someone to be hired, means they have disrupted our business. Even as our business is being disrupted, it is either we have two options, pretend we are not being disrupted and continue with business as usual, or do something about having some skills to build our working capacity, she said.
In his closing remarks, Professor Nwajiuba encouraged other Vice-chancellor’s to borrow a leaf from AE-FUNAI which according to him has become the most serious university around here in view of its consistence in following the school calendar and maintaining discipline among staff and students, reiterating that here, lecturers score 99% lecture attendance while students are put on check for regular and timely class attendance.
Presently, the secretariat of the association is situated at AE-FUNAI as the VC and Registrar of the university are pioneer chairman and secretary, respectively.

ANA HOLDS 2ND NIGERIAN LITERATURE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND CREATIVE WORKSHOP AT AE-FUNAI…
The Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), yesterday, 2nd July, 2019, had their second annual Nigerian Literature International Conference at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) to brainstorm on Nigeria’s Literary Criticism in an Expanding Space of Creative Writing and Digital Production in the 21st Century.
President of the Association, said this year’s international conference is organized in memory of Prof. Pius Adesanmi, a member and victim of plane crash. Earlier in their courtesy call to the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba in VC conference room, Mallam Abdullahi thanked the Vice-Chancellor for his pragmatic, cooperative, encouraging, open-hands and supportive qualities he extends to the association. “I will have to say that what the Vice-Chancellor has done and is doing to us is total service delivery”.

The Vice-Chancellor, in his response noted that literature as a discipline makes people to be cultured, refined and civilized; adding that whoever fails to embrace literature in a cultural form has a missing link. He thanked ANA for honouring him with the courtesy call and pledged the university’s support and encouragement to the association as a way of cementing the already existing cordial relationship.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor at the university’s Auditorium, venue of the conference, Prof. S.I. Osakwe, Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, noted that African Literature has created much impacts from ages by transforming the society through visualized and critical thinking and writings starting from Chinua Achebe, who wrote extensively about African traditional and socio-cultural background. He encouraged participants to listen attentively to thought-provoking presentations so as to grab necessary ingredients of life. He further charged participants to attend conferences, especially International and more importantly, those ones held in AE-FUNAI. He finally declared the conference open.

In his keynote address, Prof. Olufemi Obafemi who was represented by Prof. Abubakar Abdullahi said that Nigeria’s literary criticism in an expanding space of creative writing and digital production in the 21st century have not been fair in their critiques. He maintained that critics should be positive knowing the background or the original source of the story to enliven and educate the audience.

“Consequently, criticism as another arm of creative writing focuses on educating the universe about Nigeria, her wealth of culture and comparable indices to the civilized nations without recourse to building the nation. This loss of focus displaced literary criticism as a pungent public socio-political instrument among ordinary Nigerians, because the language and target are foreign.
“In spite of the warning by Booth, critical perspectives on Nigerian written literature were substantially preoccupied with the derogation of indigenous elements, through the use of foreign literary concepts. Criticism of cultural aesthetics in the literatures were glossed over or portrayed as banal and uncivilized. The mode of dressing, language, education and general orientation were also compromised. Most importantly was the effects of this critical approach to the traditional setting, which formed the premise for indigenous performances and criticisms”.
Prof. Abdullahi noted that there is a disparity in the critical tools and medium of modern literature. According to him,“the keynote address attempts to establish screaming gap between creative and critical outputs in modern Nigerian literature in comparison with the situation in the precolonial era. It discovered that the disparity in the critical tools and medium of modern literature are inappropriately adopted to mediate the textual contents. As a result, the expected nexus between a creative work and its criticism is lost…”
Prof. Ernest Emenyonu, Patriarch of African Literature, successor of Chinua Achebe and a Professor of African Literary Studies, who was present at the conference thanked ANA for coming up with such a vision and prayed the conference will be taken across the globe. He stressed that the ANA conferences were long overdue in Nigeria and chided scholars of African Literature for their deficiencies and ineptitude to emerge winners of African Literary Awards having failed to submit articles for appraisal in 3 years backdate.

Responding to submission of Prof. Emenyonu during writers/Critics Forum, Dr. Obari Gomba of the Department of English Studies, University of Port Harcourt, observed that Nigerian academia depend on their ‘deified’ personalities to succeed during appraisal in ranking and journal publications. He also noted that Nigerian issues are not tackled in the publication but referred to western society for publications who do not know the problems of our society.

Extension of Deadline for PUTME Registration


Following the Vice Chancellor's approval the PUTME Registration Deadline has been extended from 3rd July to 8th July 2019.

It is expected registered candidates will start printing their updated Exam Slip from 10th - 15th July while the examination (CBT) will still commence on 16th July as earlier planned.

Please be guided by this change in arrangement.



Prof. Dr. Johnny O. Ogunji

Director Academic Planning

The Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba recently received delegation of Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN).

Welcoming the delegation to the fastest growing university in Nigeria, Vice-Chancellor Prof. Nwajiuba thanked ANAN team for the honour accorded the university by the visit. He said the association was a large- hearted, unique and very practical and has shown AE-FUNAI a lot of love. He thanked them for the gifts they have been sending to the institution for the past three years and commended them for their professionalism. Nwajiuba added that they are co-partners in training the next generation of accountants. “I really wish other associations can have the same kind of approach you have. We have benefited so much from you, for your kindness and donations…” Prof Nwajiuba pointed out that as the university Bursar, Head of accountancy department and some other staff are members of the association, the school is better positioned to continue to work together and partner in the training opportunities you make available to accountants. He promised to always grant staff members permission to attend conferences as well as other necessary support as “our contribution to learning, skills development, capacity building”.

The Vice-Chancellor reiterated that the university is young and growing and that the association is welcome to build a place in the school for training of accountants. He said such permission will be granted any time request is made. He wished the association well during their conference for which they are in the state.

The first Vice-President of the association, Prof. Benjamin Osisioma, who represented the National President, thanked the university management for their warm reception and further commended the Vice-Chancellor and his management team for all their efforts in transforming the university into a vibrant world class centre of learning and research and the land mark achievements in such a short while, making the institution reputable nationally and internationally.

Prof. Osisioma added that ANAN has existing good relationship with the university as the organization had in the past donated books and accounting lab equipment to the institution. He noted that they had earlier detected a thin dividing line between a trade union and a professional organization. “Our duty is not just to protect the interest of our members, we take it as our duty to advance the science of accountancy in Nigeria, that’s why we go round the country not taking from you but trying to give to you. We have had the privilege of citing research centres in different universities”, he said.

He said looking through ANAN in Ebonyi State with the Perm sec, the directors and people who move the state forward from Ebonyi State, the association is excited to partner with AE-FUNAI and we want to congratulate you on your success so far. “Mr. Vice-Chancellor, permit us to celebrate you. It’s not often people are told what they have done right, we are better at identifying things they do wrongly. We commend your excellent leadership.

The President recalled that in 1996 the association introduced in this country a continuous development for professionals as a mandatory continuous professional development programme and since then, it has become a norm in Nigeria. So today we are here in Ebonyi for the third session of 2019 MCPD with the theme “Accountability and Good Governance in Public and Private Sectors” he enthused.

The Student Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES) Ebonyi State chapter gathered yesterday, 26th June 2019, at Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), to mark their annual zonal meeting.
While receiving the officers, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiubawho was ably represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic, Prof. Sunday Elom expressed his profound gratitude to the organisation for its pragmatic approach in executing the mandatory industrial training experience for students, making sure that theoretical learning by students who are studying technical related courses in tertiary institutions are augmented with practical experiences.
Professor Elom affirmed that in its drive to attain world class university status, AE-FUNAI has introduced a must pass GST course to see that every student of the institution develop occupational competence that would facilitate their fitting into the world of work, acquire skills to be employable and employers of labour after graduation. This he said will enhance sustainable development in Nigeria using human capacity building thereby making job of SIWES easier. He therefore charged director SIWES AE-FUNAI chapter Dr.A.I Adeolu to liaise with the visiting SIWES leaders and relate back the outcome of their meetings to the university management to ensure compliance of AE-FUNAI students.
The head of industrial training (ITF) Abakaliki Area Office, Mrs Chioma Egube expressed delight for meeting with meet the Vice-Chancellor for the very first time as one her plans is to meet with all heads of higher institutions in Ebonyi state, to create synergy.
She also said that ITF scheme has recorded tremendous success since its inception in Ebonyi state. According to her, ITF has trained over 300 youths of the state in the various areas such as tiling, Wig Making, POP Work, tailoring and so on. She also promised that such training will take place again in September 2019 and that AE-FUNAI has been given opportunity to organise training for unemployed youths of the state in 5 different skills including tailoring, plumbing, carpentry etc. while ITF will provide sponsorship.

RENOWNED EXPERTS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE BRAINSTORM ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN NIGERIA AS AE-FUNAI FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES HOLD INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE
The Faculty of Management and Social Sciences (FMSS), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, recently, held her first International Conference with the theme: Accelerating Sustainable Development in Nigeria; Prospects and Challenges. The Conference which took place at the University main auditorium (Zone A) after courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, was graced by scholars of international repute as guest speakers, including His Excellency, Prof Charles Soludo, former CBN Governor, Prof. Sonny Nwankwo, Academic Provost of Nigerian Defence Academy, Africa’s Premier University, Prof. Paul Omojo Omaji, an accomplished international consultant in criminology and security studies. The guest speakers were specially introduced to the Vice- Chancellor by Prof Afam Icha- Ituma, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Coordinator of the conference.
While welcoming the guests, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba stated that hosting and participating in relevant conferences and workshops in and outside the university have become part of the system here as they provide opportunities for growth and march to world class, and most importantly bring heroes to showcase to the younger generation. He expressed his gladness and gratitude to the guest scholars who have found it worthwhile to honour the invitation. Nwajiuba did not hesitate to point out to the revered guests that AE-FUNAI seem to be the most serious university in Nigeria today, given the quality and quantity of teaching and discipline resulting in 99% lecture attendance, keeping to academic calendar and above all, graduating our students properly. VC thanked Prof Afam Ituma for bringing such caliber of persons to the young university.
Responding on behalf of other guests, Prof Paul Omojo Omaji thanked the University for inviting them to the maiden conference of Faculty of Management and Social Sciences. He expressed excitement over the rapid positive change in the university and for collaborating with the institution. He promised to do more towards ensuring that the university reaps great benefits from the relationship
While declaring the conference open in the capacity filled auditorium, Professor Nwajiuba harped on the importance of the university anthem which according to him has message that must be reflected on to guide students on the goals and aspirations of our citadel of learning , urging the staff and students to reflect on the meaning of the school anthem to ensure they are properly guided and ready to realize their dreams and aspirations.
The first Key note speaker, Prof. Charles Soludo, who lectured on New Economy, Geo-demographics and the Challenge of Sustainable Development, maintained that human capital is the silver bullet for achieving sustainable goals. The greatest resource of Nigeria is not oil rather her citizens because the importance of oil is declining. He iterated that Government should invest more in the capacity building if it really wants to achieve the sustainable development goals which can be done through investing in education, health and other regenerative areas.
Prof. Soludo further stated that to predict the future of this society, you consider the state of education pointing out that power of language and identity can go a long way to ensuring human capital development. He urged the citizenry to stop the Bleaching Syndrome and focus more on education adding that human capital is the next oil in sustainable development goals.
Speaking on Interrogating the Praxis of Sustainable Development and Entrepreneurship, Prof. Azubuike Nwankwo posited that the approach to this issue is a multilateral actions that approximate the quest for the ‘final theory’ which comes from ‘end of geography’ to revisionism. He further maintained that the argument can be extended to pose question on whether there was such a thing as national competitive advantage (NCA)? He concludes that NCA depends on three variables that include strength of competitive advantage of individual/firms, access to scarce resources and support network (e.g. constriction of tacit knowledge which may be context-specific).
Professor Paul O. Omaji, focusing on Leadership Question, stated that “In all matters pertaining to national security and sustainable development, leadership pre-exists and is pre-eminent”. He averred strongly that in order to accelerate national security and sustainable development, the right people should be in the position of leadership which in overall creates jobs for other people.
He also added that leadership is to make right things happen the right way, at the right time and that only leadership by persuasion or sacrifice can make this happen. He emphasized that there is need for security of the citizenry across the globe.
Highlight of the occasion was planting of trees in support of the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba’s vision to transform the University to Campus in a Garden. Awards were presented to the key note speaker and Christian Asaga Nwali, MD/CEO C- sagas Projects Limited for his support to the university.

In the tradition of the Vice-Chancellor, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba to carry out routine inspection of infrastructural development projects driven by his administration within and outside the campus, he recently toured the project sites to have first-hand-information of the ongoing projects. The routine inspections have helped in producing speedy positive results as projects are completed and delivered in good time and quality.
Prof. Nwajiuba, in company of some officers of the university, early in the week visited the proposed site for Centre for Educational Services situated opposite Nkwagu military cantonment, Abakaliki, during which he directed that design be drawn for the immediate commencement of work and more lands acquired for the development of the Centre.
Thereafter, the Vice-Chancellor and his team proceeded to inspect several other projects which included perimeter fencing of the university, completed Faculty of Humanities administrative and classroom blocks and Faculty of Agriculture farm. Nwajiuba expressed satisfaction with the level of work done and commended the Directorate of Physical Planning, Works and Services for being on their toes and ensuring execution of quality jobs. He directed that faculty of Humanities move into the building next month while assuring increase in capacity development for the faculty and provision of vital farm equipment including tractor for Agriculture farm, to enhance productivity.
As the Vice-Chancellor went round inspecting the projects, students and staff of the university sang praises, applauding him for the good job he is doing.

ADVERTISEMENT FOR ADMISSION INTO THE ALEX EKWUEME FEDERAL UNIVERSITY NDUFU-ALIKE, CENTRE FOR EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
(JUPEB AND PRE-DEGREE) PROGRAMMES
2019/2020 SESSION
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for admission into non-resident JUPEB and Pre-degree programmes of Centre for Educational Services (AE-FUNAI CES) of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI) for 2019/2020 academic session.

The JUPEB programme is a 10-month intensive coaching designed to prepare candidates for direct entry admission into the 200-level of departments of candidates’ choices in AE-FUNAI and the over 60 universities in Nigeria and abroad, that are affiliated to Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB).

Successful JUPEB students who had applied to study Medicine and Surgery in AE-FUNAI will be admitted into 100-level through the keenly competitive admission process.

AE-FUNAI has successfully run these programmes since 2014 and has gained national acclamation for this feat.

ELIGIBILITY
Candidates for the programmes must possess a minimum of five (5) credits in five (5) relevant subjects (including English Language and Mathematics) at a maximum of two sittings. Candidates wishing to study Medicine and Surgery are expected to have earned the relevant credits ONLY in ONE sitting.

DURATION
The JUPEB programme normally runs for two (2) semesters within a period of ten (10) calendar months. The Pre-degree programme also runs for two semesters.

The AE-FUNAI Centre for Educational Services (AE-FUNAI CES) will prepare candidates for admission into Bachelors’ degree programmes in the following faculties:


AGRICULTURE 1. Agribusiness Management
2. Agric Economics & Extension
3. Animal Science
4. Crop Science
5. Soil Science
6. Fisheries and Aquaculture
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE 1. Anatomy
2. Physiology
3. Medicine & Surgery

EDUCATION 1. Biology Education
2. Business Education
3. Chemistry Education
4. English and Literary Studies Education
5. Guidance & Counseling
6. Mathematics Education
7. Physical & Health Education
8. Physics Education
9. Vocational &Technical Education
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY 1. Chemical Engineering
2. Civil Engineering
3. Electrical and Electronics Engineering
4. Mechanical Engineering
5. Mechatronics Engineering
HUMANITIES 1. English and Literary Studies
2. French
3. History & Strategic Studies
4. Linguistics/Igbo
5. Music
6. Philosophy
7. Theatre Arts
8. Fine & Applied Arts
MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES 1. Accounting
2. Business Administration
3. Banking and Finance
4. Economics
5. Political Science
6. Psychology
7. Sociology
8. Criminology & Security Studies
9. Mass Communication
SCIENCE 1. Applied Geophysics
2. Biochemistry
3. Biotechnology
4. Biology
5. Chemistry
6. Computer Science
7. Geology
8. Mathematics
9. Microbiology
10. Physics
11. Statistics

More information on subject combinations for the JUPEB and Pre-Degree programmes can be found on our e-Portal (http://www.ces.funai.edu.ng/programmes).

APPLICATION FEE: Ten thousand Naira (N10,000.00) only.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
1. Visit the AE-FUNAI CES e-Portal (www.ces.funai.edu.ng). On the menu bar, click on e-Portal, and select “Start Online Application” from the drop-down menu. You will be required to supply your email address and other required information in order to start your online application.

2. After creating an Account, login with your Application No. and Password and follow the necessary processes to capture your personal information.

3. Generate your Remita Retrieval Number (RRN) for payment. Instructions on generating your RRN will be automatically displayed on the payment page on your browser. Please read carefully and note that your RRN MUST BE ACTIVATED on our e-Portal before payment is made.
4. After payment, a 16-digit PIN will be sent to your Mobile Phone to enable you complete all remaining and necessary sections of your Online Application.

5. Ensure that all sections of your application form are correctly filled, and click on “Complete Application” to submit your application to our online server. Our server shall acknowledge receipt of your form by sending an SMS to your Mobile Phone. Print two coloured copies of your Application Form.

Note: Application can be made at our ICT Unit, AE-FUNAI Centre for Educational Services, 12 Udensi Ugorji Lane, Aguogboriga, Abakaliki.

GENERAL INFORMATION
• Applicants into 2019/2020 JUPEB and Pre-degree programmes are advised to check the AE-FUNAI CES website (www.ces.funai.edu.ng) for other relevant information.

• Applicants must upload a recent coloured passport photograph (taken not earlier than 3 months before time of application) with a white background. Selfies, blurred and webcam photos are strictly prohibited. Applicants who upload wrong bio-data and credentials will be disqualified and forfeit application fee.

• Applicants are to report to the AE-FUNAI CES for Registration and Screening, ONLY when they have received an Invitation (through e-mail) and Admission Letter approved by the Director. Applicants are hereby advised to use valid e-mail addresses and PERSONAL telephone numbers.

• Applicants are advised to follow the application instructions carefully and ensure they follow the stipulated guidelines. Failure to do so may adversely affect the candidate. For application related enquiries, please see detailed Candidate Guide at www.ces.funai.edu.ng/guide-for-candidates or contact the Webmaster via webmaster@ces.funai.edu.ng.

DISCLAIMER

Please note that AE-FUNAI HAS NOT AUTHORIZED any person(s) or agent(s), whether corporate or individual, to sell application forms on its behalf. Application is strictly online and is to be made only on the AE- FUNAI SFS e-Portal (www.ces.funai.edu.ng).

FURTHER ENQUIRIES

All enquiries are to be made to the Director, Centre for Educational Services.

Contacts: 08037219664, 08033065655 and 08067754836. (Please call during office hours only, 8am-5pm). E-mail: info@ces.funai.edu.ng

CLOSING DATE

Submission of online forms will close on Saturday, 31st August, 2019 at 11.59 pm.
Signed:

Odisa C. Okeke (Mrs.)
Registrar

https://www.funai.edu.ng/news/advertisement-for-2019-2020-academic-session-post-utme-direct-entry-screening/

ADVERTISEMENT FOR 2019/2020 ACADEMIC SESSION POST UTME/DIRECT ENTRY SCREENING
This is to inform the general public that registration for the Post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (P-UTME)/Direct Entry Screening Tests of Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, (AE-FUNAI), Ebonyi State, shall commence on Wednesday, 19th June, 2019 and end on Wednesday, 3rd July, 2019.

Interested candidates who must have scored 180 and above in the 2019 UTME and who made Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State their first choice Institution in their application for admission in the 2019 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination are hereby informed that the University’s Post-UTME Screening Test for the under-listed programmes is scheduled to hold from Tuesday, 16th July, 2019 to Friday, 19th July, 2019.

NOTE 1: Candidates who applied to study Medicine and Surgery must have a minimum score of 200 in the UTME to be eligible for the University’s P-UTME.

Furthermore, the screening test for Direct Entry (DE) candidates shall take place between Monday 29th July 2019 and Wednesday 31st July, 2019.



FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE
Agriculture (Agribusiness, Agricultural Economics, Animal Science, Crop Science, Soil Science)
Fisheries and Aquaculture
COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
Anatomy
Physiology
Medicine and Surgery
** However, there shall be no Direct Entry admission into Medicine and Surgery.



FACULTY OF EDUCATION
Education Agricultural Science
Education Biology
Education Business
Education Chemistry
Education English and Literary Studies
Education Guidance & Counseling
Education Management
Education Mathematics
Education Physical and Health
Education Physics
FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY
Chemical Engineering
Civil Engineering
Electrical/Electronic Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Mechatronics Engineering


FACULTY OF HUMANITIES
English & Literary Studies
Fine and Applied Arts
French
History and Strategic Studies
Linguistics/Igbo
Music
Philosophy
Religion
Theatre Arts


FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
Accountancy
Banking and Finance
Business Administration
Criminology and Security Studies
Economics
Mass Communication
Political Science
Psychology
Sociology


FACULTY OF SCIENCE
Biochemistry
Biology
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Computer Science
Geology
Geophysics
Mathematics
Microbiology
Physics
Statistics
Note 2: The underlisted AE-FUNAI programmes are undersubscribed in the 2019 UTME application. Interested candidates who applied for other courses or to other universities are encouraged to apply.

FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE

All programmes in Faculty of Agriculture

COLLEGE OF MEDICINE

(1) Anatomy (2) Physiology

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

All programmes in Faculty of Education

FACULTY OF ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

(1) Chemical Engineering (2) Mechanical Engineering (3) Mechatronics Engineering

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES

All programmes in Faculty of Humanities

FACULTY OF MANAGEMENT AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

(1) Banking and Finance

FACULTY OF SCIENCE

(1) Biology (2) Biotechnology (3) Chemistry (4) Geology

(5) Geophysics (6) Mathematics (7) Physics ( Statistics



NOTE 3: The VENUE for the screening tests is the University’s Computer Based Test (CBT) Centre, which is located at Zone A in the University Campus. The DATE and TIME of test for each registered candidate shall be communicated to him/her through the registration acknowledgement slip, which would be printed from the University Portal.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Prospective candidates who scored a minimum of 200 for Medicine and Surgery and a minimum of 180 and above for other programmes and did not choose AE-FUNAI as their first choice institution, but wish to study in AEFUNAI are eligible to apply for PUTME However, such candidates must effect ‘Change of Institution/Course’ to AE-FUNAI on the JAMB Portal before Wednesday, 3rd July 2019.


This is also applicable to Direct Entry (DE) candidates

Successful candidates who may be offered provisional admission to AE-FUNAI, are advised to accept the offer within two weeks or the offer shall be deemed to have been forfeited.
Prospective candidates who may wish to register for the POST UTME through the AE-FUNAI ICT Centres, should visit the University CBT Centre at Zone A in the University Campus or Centre for Educational Services (Foundation/Pre- degree School), Aguogboriga Estate, Abakaliki.
During registration, candidates are strongly advised to use GSM numbers that are easily accessible to them. This is important for fast and easy communication.
MODE OF PAYMENT AND REGISTRATION PROCEDURE



Eligible candidates are required to pay a processing fee of N2,000 only.



To register, follow the steps outlined below:

Visit the University website: www.funai.edu.ng, go to News, Click on 2019/2020 Admission Screening

Click on “Prospective Students”

Click on “Click to Apply” under 2019/2020 Admission Screening Application

Enter your “JAMB Registration Number”

Select your payment mode (Generate Remita Retrieval Reference Number).

Proceed to any bank for your payment with your Remita number.

Return to the Application page and enter your “JAMB Registration Number” again.

Proceed with the completion of the form

Submit your application.

Print out your acknowledgement slip.

And come with it for the Post-UTME Test.



For support:

E-mail: info@funai.edu.ng

Hotlines: 08139833300



TEST REQUIREMENTS

Candidates are required to come with the following items:



Print-out of Registration Acknowledgement Slip which MUST INDICATE the date and time for the test. The Registration Acknowledge Slip can be downloaded and printed from the University’s website.
2019/2020 Original UTME Result Slip showing candidate’s picture (in colour) and score. Direct Entry (DE) candidates should come with their original Direct Entry Application Slip showing candidate’s picture (in colour).
Pencil


For support: E-mail: info@funai.edu.ng

Hotlines: 08067558863; 07066988253; 08170899288 and 08095813126.





Signed:

Odisa C. Okeke (Mrs.)

Registrar

• Erudite Professor sets Agenda for Nigeria’s Industrial Revolution
Former Honourable Minister of Power and former Vice-Chancellor of University of Ado Ekiti (UNAD), Iworoko, Ekiti, Nigeria, Prof. Chinedu Nebo on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, asserted that Engineering and Technology are the wings upon which Nigeria can move towards attaining sustainable development and that if Nigeria will become an industrial nation, engineering and technology inescapably will have to drive the process.
Prof. Nebo made the assertion while delivering his keynote lecture at the just concluded concluded 1st Alex Ekwueme Biennial Engineering conference organized by Faculty of Engineering and Technology from May 15 – 18, 2019 with the theme Engineering and Technology: A driver for Sustainable Development.
The expert stated that “if Nigeria has not developed, it is because engineering and technology have not taken their due places in our national lives… Nigeria needs to harness the incredible array of knowledge in Engineering and technology to leap-frog from a developing economy to a fully developed one”. He viewed that Nigeria’s Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (ERGP) must be propelled by the implementation of the National Industrial Revolution Plan and Nigeria Intergrated Infrastructure Master Plan both of which are expected to play huge roles in achieving the set targets by 2020.
Nebo gave hope for a greater Nigeria by his expression that “I am confident that using Engineering and technology to power the NIPR and ERGP will industrialize our great country and that will create the much needed jobs, and wealth to make Nigeria achieve the fullness of its potential and reach the heights of its glory”.
For him, technological and scientific revolutions underpin economic advances, improvements in engineering health systems, education and infrastructure. The technological revolutions of the 21st century are emerging from entirely new sectors, based on Micro processors, tele-communications, bio-technology, and nano-technology. According to him, the most remarkable breakthroughs will come from the interaction of insights and applications arising when these technologies converge. Nigerian engineers and technologists need to help the country key into the global science and technology innovations. He strongly recommended that government should increase financial support for applied research and outreach including extension, at technological institutions and in the establishment of machine tools industries throughout the country; for development of local capacity to deliver public health services, including support for the establishment of strong schools and public health in Nigeria; assist important institutions in Nigeria using broadband access internet and other modern technologies to strengthen their information acquisition and processing capabilities in support of Science, Engineering and Technology (SE&T) specialists; and government should sponsor expert assessments of SE&T infrastructures across Nigeria.
In his opening remarks while declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba ably represented by the DVC (Academic), Prof. Sunday Elom, thanked the guest speaker Prof. Chinedu Nebo for honouring the invitation and stated further that the university management is honoured that a person of his status despite his very busy schedules was present at the epoch making engineering conference. He used the opportunity to intimate the visitor on the process so far made by the university in the field of Engineering.
Responding, Prof. Nebo expressed his happiness for being in AE-FUNAI for the event and for the opportunity he is given to contribute to the development of Engineering in the university.
Engr.Prof. O. O. Ugwu, Dean, Faculty of Engineering and Technology who presents the welcome address, said that this is the first in the series of engineering workshops that will become sustained series of Biennial conferences for engineering and technology. He further said that it will be a platform for knowledge sharing on various areas of Engineering and Technology, he added that to confront the problem of mankind and find sustainable solution, Engineering and Technology must be at the forefront to drive for sustainable development.
He stated that Engineering and technology is one of the main lagers in addressing issues of sustainability and sustainable development in professional practice. He said that Engineering and technology is the key people in the society and AE-FUNAI is working hard to make sure that any student passing through Engineering and technology programmes will face anything and also have all it takes to be an Engineer. According to him, he stated that the global Engineering community must address the challenges of sustainable development while the global university system must find requisite solutions as they relate to Engineering practice, research and Development for the benefit of humanity. He urged everyone present to make sure that he or she must go home with something because a lot are to be discussed by the guest speaker.
He stated that it is gratifying to note that the conference sub-themes cover several topics and bodies of knowledge that define sustainable as a concept. These sub-themes include: Structural Engineering Challenges in Engineering – the way forward, Renewable Energy, Engineering Education in Developing and Transition Countries, Engineering Innovation and Wealth Creation, Engineering and Climate Change, Engineering and Food Security.

Monday, 20th May, 2019, will forever be a memorable day in Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike Ebonyi State, as the Honorable Minister for Power, Works and Housing, Babatunde Fashola paid a visit to the University in a grand style, to inspect the on-going Independent one Mega Watt Solar Plant Project under the umbrella of Integrated Power Project (IPP) birthed by the President’s approval of the Rural Electrification Strategy and Implementation Plan (SESIP). AE-FUNAI is one of the only two Universities selected in the South-East for the first phase of this project..
Receiving the honorable minister at the university ‘air field’, where the chopper which conveyed the minister touched the AE-FUNAI ground to the fascination of the university community who turned out en masse to receive the Minister; Vice-Chancellor of the university, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba affirmed his commitment to collaborate with the Engineers and students to ensure a speedy and smooth workflow, adding that it is one of the policies for climate change management.
Honorable Fashola stated that this is one of the policies for intervention approved by President Muhammadu Buhari, for Rural Electrification Strategic Implementation Plan. He made this statement while briefing the press at the solar village in AE-FUNAI, emphasising that government has plans to electrify 37 Universities and AE-FUNAI is one of them to benefit from the first nine, mapped out to be completed this year. This is a one mega solar plant for the university which comes with 8 kilo meters of lighting. He further affirmed that they are in the last phase of implementation and the policies that have been inaugurated since the privatization of the power policy, are beginning to take foothold so important that Nigerians understand them. He assured staff and students that the project is in a few weeks to closure and when this is done, the President will come to commission and as well switch it on.
The minister affirmed that the policy is targeted at education to make sure that all Federal Universities have their own power plants involving students in the process of development to form part of their learning so that they can maintain and do even better things when they leave school. He pronounced that this administration has been re-elected for another four year term for a sense of continuity of policy as one of the things embedded in the programs from the beginning was to involve the students so that maintenance of the plant can be carried out by the university students themselves following teaching and training facility delivered within the university.
The honorable minister opined that there is need to continuously educate the rural community on the need to generate power using waste.
Highlight of the event was tree planting by the honorable minister in support of the campus Green Initiative of Professor Nwajiuba’s vision for ‘campus in a garden’. The minister requested that the tree be nurtured and his name tagged on it.

Many of the staff and students who trooped out to receive the minister expressed their profound excitement for the historical landing of an airplane in the university for the first time

Following the on-going French partnership research on climate change, seven (7) universities including AE-FUNAI have been chosen to incorporate with France embassy in Nigeria to research about climate change, laying emphasis on Energy, Water Resources and Human activity.
This development called for a meeting with AE-FUNAI research team, where five researchers were nominated to represent the university in the Inter-universities research on Climate Change.
Speaking during the meeting, The Vice-Chancellor Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba mentioned that the team would meet with other chosen universities to deliver on a research themed “Energy, Water Resources and Human Activity”. He therefore urged the selected researchers representing the school to be of good conduct and imbibe the habit of humility as it is the best quality of a researcher.
The acting Director, Centre for Climate Change and Development AE-FUNAI Dr Robert Onyeneke added that the five researchers were nominated because they had good researchable topics focusing on the given theme, further advising them to be action oriented, as it is a must in the concept of the said research.

INTERNATIONAL ICON PRESENTS PARADIGM SHIFT IN CONCEPTUAL FRAME WORK AND ORGANIZATION OF AFRICAN UNIVERSITY AT AE FUNAI
Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State on Thursday, May 2, 2019, organized an inspiring and thought provoking seminar on African University of the Future: A knowledge Enterprise for Articulating And Incubating Radical Solutions To The Formidable Challenges on the Continent by Reverend Father Godfrey O. P. Nzamujo, a reputable Professor of Engineering and Director of the Songhai Centre, Porto Novo, Benin Republic.
Prof. C.C.C. Ejike, Dean of the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, who presented the welcome address on behalf of the Chairman ,Committee on Inaugural and Public Lectures, Prof. Joy Igbo urged participants to feel free and embrace the call to develop appropriate and adaptive institutional framework for a continuous generation, sharing and appropriation of ideas, knowledge and skills to harness the rich and diverse cultural heritage in Africa as championed by the guest lecturer, Father Nzamujo, an illustrious son of Africa.
The Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, who attracted the August lecturer, in his opening remarks, acknowledged Father Nzamujo as a world original thinker and practitioner of change for his global vision of sustainable development.
Prof. Nwajiuba reeled his purposes for establishing link and partnership with the guest speaker and the Songhai farm to include, the desire to establish a long-term action oriented relationship with Songhai that supports the university’s core mandate of teaching, research and community service; desire to specifically create relationship that will be institutionalized in a manner that the university can train new generation of graduates who can create jobs and not job seekers; desire to open a bilateral relationship for students’ training; desire that Songhai will provide technical support to implement what he saw in Porto Novo, and what Songhai has across the provinces of Benin Republic, as well as Africa; desire to have a binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) that ensure this relationship is cemented; and most critically, the desire to achieve a positive shift in the pervading attitude to work, life and living which is summed as misinforming Nigerian youths, manifesting in sweet without sweat, benefits without responsibility, wealth without work, and a general mentality of entitlement.
The Vice-Chancellor admitted that our society is on the verge of major changes which by wisdom, human resource should be focused rather than on natural resource since the demographic population of Nigeria and Africa are shooting high at alarming proportion.
The Vice-Chancellor mentioned that AE-FUNAI has begun the right approach towards solving societal problems by eliminating alternatives to practicals in science and technology courses, embarking on vigorous language enhancement programme to brush students on the deficits in writing and communication skills and most importantly, the Centre for Entrepreneurship and Employability has been stimulating students to generate business ideas and to produce tangible goods with high unique selling points.
In his presentation, Father Godfrey Nzamujo, averred that the relevance of African Universities with regard to our present day challenges is becoming very doubtful and has chronicled to unimaginable scope and complexity. He said that universities have failed in their original calling in academic culture that rather than restructure institutional operations to generate new competences and conceptual frameworks to effectively embrace these challenges in real time, perpetuate existing organizational structures and practices and retreat, instead, they resort to relaxing at the comfort zone of abstract knowledge.
He fluted that African universities have three (3) major areas of concern that should be well harnessed, which include knowledge generated from the university; transaction which should serve as tools and new culture which represents new world view and that these three are symbolized by the head, hand and the heart, which go a long way to determining breakthrough or breakdown of African mission. He maintained that African professors are prophets and should be able to see the horizon and see what others are not seeing, understand what is around us and where we are coming from (Basic science) and develop basic tools (technology) and use those tools to produce goods and services. Her re iterated that we either breakthrough or breakout.
He noted that Africa is at crossroads and needs to embark on the project of recasting its university system having leverage knowledge, creativity and innovations. He recalled the Motto of the University of Bologna established in 1088: “The nourishing mother of the studies”, where knowledge remains the undisputed key to emancipation, cultural, spiritual and socio-economic development. He mentioned that Africans are transiting into a period where intellectual capital; brainpower is replacing financial and physical capitals as key to our strength, prosperity and well being.
He charged these citadels of learning in Africa to rejig and retool the knowledge enterprise to become the fulcrum for societal transformation. He posited that we are living in a post-modern-science era where there is a definite paradigm shift resulting from modern sciences and other sources such as quantum physics, micro and molecular biology, cognitive sciences among others that provide us with fundamentally different and refreshing frameworks on our human dynamics and that of our planet.
Prof. Nzamujo opined that a systemic paradigm has emerged with completely new and different technological orientations. And these can be tackled using a combination of synergy, symbiosis, complementarity, collaboration and suplementarity in the university system. He maintained that even though we are deep into the post-modern science era, we are still navigating with an old map since no specie, sub specie blocks can exist and survive on a separate sustainable unit but what survives and remains sustainable is the organism-in-its environment. He added that any organism, a unit, department, state, tribe etc. that works and thinks only in terms of its own survival will invariably destroy its environment and, will thus destroy itself he stated however, that we must remember that nature knows how to takeout predators.
The professorial clergy further posited that from the systems point of view, the unit of development or survival is not the entity (humans, animal, fish or crop) at all, but rather a pattern of organization developed and adopted by any of these entities in its interaction with its environment.
He observed that as the new sciences and technologies are forcing us to abandon the linear and mechanistic world view, a systemic world is emerging and being consolidated at the same time by ever integrated platform of the new technologies they inspired. He said that our efforts in trying to solve systemic problems have remained a piecemeal but rather suggests that systems view of life will be collectively embraced by our scientists, engineers, political and corporate leaders who can imagine radically different kinds of products and services emerging from new integrated platform of technologies, from artificial intelligence (AI), biotech, sustainable Agriculture, health care to space technologies etc. He strongly affirmed that this will be the principal mission of the new African university. “Every university should be a laboratory of this adventure, this project of a new society-a functional extension space to incubate new creams of human resources with the passion, creativity and innovative drive to animate this “new human space-La Montee humaine” project”.
He concluded by suggesting ways of creating new weapons of mass construction by finding answers to questions and use them to develop technologies inspired by nature where programs had already begun by Biomimicry- an exciting new field of engineering and design even as he charged scientists and engineers to form an interdisciplinary team to analyze detailed chemistry and molecular structures of nature’s most complex materials to use them as models for new biotechnologies. He warned that Africans should stop creating solution where there is no question. “We should stop creating unemployment by training people for the jobs of yesterday”.
He took time to demonstrate to the captivated participants life and activities in Songhai farm ranging from modern agricultural production, recycling technology, environmental management, hospitality and tourism etc. It was a conglomerate in a garden. Opportunity was given for interaction with the audience through questions and answers session.

REA INDUCTS ‘STEM’ FEMALE STUDENTS OF AE-FUNAI
The Rural Electrification Agency (REA) in actualizing the Energizing Education Programme(EEP),held its first induction for selected female students of AE- FUNAI in the Sciences, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) to undergo three months certified internship training .
While declaring the induction open at the University Senate Chamber, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Sunday Elom, expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for giving AE-FUNAI opportunity to be among the first nine universities chosen to have a power grid installed in the school and among the two universities chosen in the South-East. He charged the female students who were selected for the internship to remain consistent and focused towards acquiring in-depth knowledge during the programme as the university was majorly concerned in building students who are worthy in character and learning. He mentioned that women are now at the fore front of affairs all over the world and asked the students to aspire higher and dream big.
Speaking at the event, the REA resident Engineer, Kalu Okwara Orji stated that during the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo’s tenure, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) was a subset of the National Electricity Power Authority (NEPA) later known as the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) in a bid to massively extend National Grid to Rural dwellers. With arising difficulties, EEDC metamorphosed and proved to be a more difficult adventure. In order to rescue Federal Institutions from the shackles of public power supply, a special project called Energizing Education Programme (EEP), an initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria, aimed at providing sustainable and clean power supply to thirty seven (37) Federal universities and seven (7) University Teaching Hospitals across Nigeria was established.
Engr. Orji added that the project plan include the provision of independent power plant, upgrading existing distribution infrastructure, providing street lighting to improve security within the university community as well as development of a world class training centre on renewable energy for each university. According to him, “ the project is being implemented by the REA and developed in phases where phase one will deliver 28.5 megawatts to 9 Federal Universities and one university teaching hospital using solar hybrid. The phase one will benefit 127,000 students, 28,000 university staff, 4700 staff in teaching hospital and 819 doctors. It will power 2,850 street lights and result in the decommissioning of hundreds of generators, four of which will be decommissioned in AE-FUNAI”.
The Key Facilitator and Technical Assistant to the Managing Director, Rosemary Eden, introduced the REA as a Federal Government Agency under the Federal Ministry of Power responsible for improving electricity access to underserved communities in Nigeria. She stated that the REA developed the off grid electrification strategy, programmes and initiatives for the overall development and economic growth plan of the country. She mentioned that the EEP STEM programme for female students is a way of getting more women actively involved in the power sector in order to bridge the gap between men who are the dominating gender and their female counterparts. She gave an overview of the internship plan, the duration, including students’ incentives. She re-iterated that students were not allowed at the site for more than three times a week and emphasized the benefits of the EEP programme and urged them to take the opportunity seriously.
While at the Solar Garden, Mr. Adelore Kunle, staff of the holding firm, gave the students safety tips to guide them in and around the Power Plant during their internship and asked them to take their safety seriously and always appear at the site with their complete safety kits.
Engineer Emmanuel Mopho, one of the officers on site, took the inductees and officials of the University around the power plant getting them acquainted with the basic facilities while giving fundamental information on how electricity supply is generated from sunlight, through the solar panel and distributed to consumers.
The Director CEDAMPAT, Mr. Chris Uwadoka after the induction had a closed door meeting with the new inductees where he charged them to be good ambassadors of the university by being of good conduct,exhibiting intelligence and garnering adequate knowledge to the pride of the university and to their immense benefit upon graduation. Miss Ofoegbu Sonia of the department of Anatomy, on behalf of the inductees thanked the university management for such a rare opportunity of having only women partake in such a wonderful programme, especially with the valued certificates to be issued at the end of the internship and promised to do the university proud.

On Tuesday, April 2, 2019, Vice-Chancellors of the 24 Federal, State and Private Universities in South-East Nigeria gathered at the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State for a first-of-its-kind crucial meeting.
The Vice-Chancellor of AE-FUNAI, and convener of the meeting, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, in his welcome address, expressed deep satisfaction over the presence of the Vice-Chancellors, despite their busy schedules. Speaking further, he said the reason for convening the meeting was to find ways of partnering and collaborating with each other in the areas of common interests and challenges facing them.
Prof. Nwajiuba affirmed that though universities have common interests, they have different challenges and these challenges affect private universities the more. He called on the older universities to mentor and support the young ones so as to achieve the much needed result and expectation of our society.“Our idea is to create synergy amongst universities and offer each other assistance where required. Our relationship is complementary (not competitive), we envisage a relationship that includes staff and students exchange, access to facilities including laboratories and workshops, among others. Our collaboration may seek to create avenues for the exchange of research ideas and innovations. This should give room for rigorous academic activities in the South- East, as well as complementary relationships”, he said. He called on the participants to embrace unity and find areas of comparative advantage to assist others.
In his words of encouragement, the Deputy Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, (NUC), Barr. Victor Onuoha, who was present as a special guest, noted that university is about development and as such, no meaningful development has existed on a lone effort. He maintained that Nigerian universities had MoU with universities abroad which hitherto, have not affected the local content and peculiar needs of our universities. He therefore called for synergy amongst the universities to look inward into areas of strength and weaknesses and find ways of assisting one another.
He asked the Vice-Chancellors to make available their institutions’ researches to one another and collaborate in areas of teaching by exchanging staff where need be. Barr. Onuoha warned that universities, be it public or private, are not money spinning organizations, but should find what society stands to benefit and what the graduates stand to offer. He noted that with quality assurance, universities today, are better for it.
He finally called on each university to review its strategic plan and begin to work on it and where they do not have, they should put in place one without further delay, adding that NUC is always ready to assist any university to achieve its goal, once the necessary machineries are put in motion.
Other special guests who also made presentations during the technical session were Prof. Ihechukwu Madubuike, Ex-Minister for Education and former Economic Adviser to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Osita Ogbu, Director of the Institute for Development Studies, University of Nigeria and Dr. Nnenna Nwosu, Director, French Centre, AE-FUNAI.
While chatting with AE-FUNAI PR Team, some of the Vice- Chancellors expressed excitement at the epoch-making- get- together of the Vice-Chancellors of the South-East Universities and their gratitude to the convener for the vision. They said they are full of expectations that their discussions and subsequent communiqué during the technical session will set the agenda and provide the road map for further actions on the way forward.
The highlight of the historical gathering was tree planting by the Vice-Chancellors in solidarity and support of the AE-FUNAI Vice-Chancellor’s Green Initiative towards realizing the “Campus in a Garden” vision.

The Governing Council of the Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, at its 15th Regular Meeting held on March 21, 2019, considered the report and recommendations of the Appointments and Promotions Committee (A & PC) and approved the promotion of Dr. Omaka N. Omaka a Reader in the Department of Chemistry/Bio-Chemistry, Faculty of Science, to the Professorial cadre.
The Council also approved the promotion of Dr. Sunday N. Nnamani, a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Music, Faculty of Humanities, to a Reader.

THE FOOTBALLER VICE-CHANCELLOR DISPLAYS AT THE MAIDEN UNIVERSITY STAFF TOURNAMENT
The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, yesterday, 21st March, 2019, displayed energy and talent at the university football play ground while featuring in the on-going maiden university staff inter-faculty/units football tournament.
The day’s match was between the Vice-Chancellor’s office team and that of Humanities/ Management and Social Sciences. The Vice-Chancellor entered the pitch at the second half to the excitement of spectators who were thrilled by his appearance in full sports attire as a ‘star’ player for his team. The match stood at draw till the master dribbler Chinedum Nwajiuba scored the “winning” penalty shoot-out at zero minute to go, to the applaud of spectators who sang the winning song around with him for his fitness in the pitch and for scoring a goal.
Many of the staff who were interviewed expressed delight that their youthful and energetic Vice-Chancellor was around to play with his staff. No wonder the saying that “all work and no play make … a dull man”. Watch out for updates on the tournament.

ENGR.ONWUEGBU COMMISSIONS THE STATE-OF-THE-ART CIVIL ENGINEERING WORKSHOP AT AE-FUNAI
On Wednesday, 20th March, 2019, the Pioneer Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, (AE-FUNAI), Chief, Engr. Anayo Onwuegbu (OME IHE UKWU), commissioned a standard and state-of-the-art Civil Engineering Workshop and facilities which he voluntarily and single-handedly funded from foundation to completion.
While receiving this great philanthropist and illustrious son of Enugu State, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba, extolled the rare qualities and remarkable achievements of this icon of our time, which have and continue to endear him to the University and his people. The VC pointed out that Engr. Anayo has been partnering and supporting the university even after his time here as the Pro-Chancellor of the University. He thanked the philanthropist for the gesture and used the occasion to invite private and non-governmental agencies to partner and support AE-FUNAI as Engr. Chief Onwuegbu is doing.

The grand reception which took place at the Vice-Chancellor’s Conference Room and the commissioning, formed part of the four (4) days University Council Meeting. Engr. Chief Anayo and his entourage were accompanied by the VC and members of the Council and other officials to the Civil Engineering Workshop for the commissioning of the building and the civil engineering facilities installed in it. The Catholic Chaplain of the University, Rev. Father Agbo, was on hand to bless the donor, the university community and the building after which Engr. Anayo cut the tape to commission the building while the VC led the tour round the workshop to have a full view of the different sections of the workshop building and facilities.
After the commissioning, the VC took Chief Anayo, his entourage and Council Members round the campus to the fascination of the visitors who were amazed at the level of infrastructural development that the university authorities under the able leadership of the amiable and youthful Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba as Vice-Chancellor of the young but fast growing university has put in place.
The grand finale of the reception was the university choir renditions at the event and the decoration of the Chief Guest of Honour, Engr. Chief Anayo Onwuegbu along with his companion, Prof. Osita Ogbu, former Economic Adviser to the President with ‘Akwaette clothes woven by AE-FUNAI students.

EXPERTS ON CLIMATE CHANGE BRAINSTORM ON THE WAY FORWARD FOR NIGERIA
On Tuesday, 19th March, 2019, experts and professionals on climate change from across the globe gathered at Alex Ekwueme, Federal University, Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, to brainstorm on implications of the Katowice Climate Package, for Nigeria. The event which took place at Needs Assessment Lecture Theatre of the University was organized by Centre for Climate and Development, AE-FUNAI, in collaboration with the Department of Climate Change of the Federal Ministry of Environment and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Declaring the workshop open, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Chinedum Nwajiuba said that university exists to generate knowledge especially in active teaching and research and rendering service to communities. He noted that the university should not be different with the demands and change of time. “We are supposed to be the brain of our society. In AE-FUNAI, we do not only talk, we work the talk”, he enthused. He posited that AE-FUNAI had already planted about 4,981 ornamental and fruit trees between 2016 and 2018. The essence was to provide more generic platform for people to be carried along, thus AE-FUNAI has embarked on Hybrid power plant courtesy of the Federal Government of Nigeria under its Energized Education Programme. On completion, this programme will supply part of the required energy for powering and lighting machine and other equipment thereby building institution that will be part of the new centre for climate change and finding solutions to climate related issues. According to him, the creation of the Centre for Climate Change in the University under the leadership of Dr. Robert Onyeneke is an indication of the University’s interest and involvement in the climate change challenge which has become a global concern.
He further emphasized that the roundtable was basically to sensitize the participants and the entire Nigeria community on climate change, and possibly proffer solutions to its challenges and the effects of global warming in Nigeria and the world at large. The workshop is also intended to drive Nigerians and the Federal Government to queuing into the Paris Climate agreement of 2015.

The key facilitator at the workshop, Emmanuel Oladipo, a Professor of Climatology at the University of Lagos, led the discussion on the way forward for Nigeria after the Katowice Climate Package. While making his presentation on the topic: Implementation Process of The NDC and Practical Actions and Activities Needed to Enhance Its Implementation, he led emphasis on the fact that Nigeria’s first NDC outlines the country’s change priorities for post 2020 period including targets and strategies for addressing the causes of climate change and responding to its effects. He identified five (5) sectors that are critical for Nigeria to be able to contribute to the goal of keeping the global temperature increase to well below 20C. The five sectors according to him are: Agriculture and Land Use, Energy, Industry, Oil and Gas and Transport.

In his presentation, Prof Chukwumerije Okereke of the University of Reading explained that there is difference between weather change and climate change. He posited that weather could be hot or cold and can stretch for a day or two but climate change lasts for a very long period of time. He stated that the energy that comes from the sun is one of the reasons why we are alive but emission of gas, deforestation and burning of refuse has adverse effect on the ozone-layer. He pointed out that, “there is no end to climate change; we just need to understand it and know what to do at every level”.
Prof. Okereke,who is joining AE-FUNAI emphasized the need for a holistic understanding and approach to Climate Change in Nigeria and the world over during his key note presentation on the rationale for the establishment of the Institute for Climate Change and Sustainable development (ICCSD) AE-FUNAI.

The presentations by the numerous scholars in attendance, highlighted the actions and inactions that constitute threat to our environment especially the gas flaring and emissions, indiscriminate felling of trees, use of generators, fossil gas, bush burning, and deforestation among others as these activities increase heat on the environment. They posited that to maintain the National Green Bond, all hands must be on deck as collective effort will underscore the relevance of fighting climate change globally.
Other facilitators at the workshop include Dr. Robert Onyeneke, who made a presentation on the Context and Justification for the Roundtable, emphasized that: “Collaborative efforts at all levels (International, Regional, National, Sub-national) and working in partnership with stakeholders, (communities, households, individuals, private sectors, civil society and the academia) are needed to address Climate Change”.


Dr. Yerima Peter Tarfa, Director, Department of Climate Change, Focal Point For UNFCCC, Federal Ministry of Environment, represented by Mrs Ann Umar, dealt on the topic, Nigeria’s NDC – Process of Formation and Key Features and pointed out that climate change is threatening national development at all sectors.


Prof. Emmanuel Nzegbule of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria, while making his presentation, provided answers and explanations to the question: Do strong political and fiscal commitment exists to achieve Nigeria’s NDC and Katowice Climate Package?

Prof. Emmanuel Nzegbule taking questions from participants after his presentation.
Paddy Ezeala, a Consultant with National Conservation Foundation, spoke on Deforestation in Nigeria: the Looming Disaster in South-East Nigeria. In his presentation, he revealed that:
• Deforestation is the biggest threat to biodiversity in Nigeria
• All measures put in place for the protection and sustainable management of our forest resources have been failing
• Only 4% of Nigeria’s original untouched forest cover is left.
• Annual rate of deforestation in Nigeria is 3.5% approximately 350,000 hectares of forest out of 7.3 million hectares lost globally, according to FAO.
• 1.5 million trees are felled daily due to illegal logging in Nigeria.



In his vote of thanks after the reactions, opinions and exchange with the participants on the subject, Dr. Robert Onyeneke, the Acting Director of the Centre for Climate and Development AE-FUNAI and host, thanked the Vice-Chancellor for the great opportunity and the facilitators and participants for giving out time to brainstorm on this very topical and yet, technical subject. He stated that achieving success in addressing this phenomenal issue of climate change is a collective responsibility.