Delight Chinedum

Former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka has called for establishment of a ₦100 billion endowment fund to elevate Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) to the ranks of Africa’s leading universities.

Delivering a keynote speech as Guest Lecturer at the 3rd Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Lecture, Chidoka explained that the endowment would guarantee the university’s capacity to foster groundbreaking research, provide scholarships and sustain world-class infrastructure independent of fluctuating budgets.

He urged stakeholders to position COOU as a hub for innovative solutions to pressing challenges such as erosion, insecurity and sustainable development in Igboland and Nigeria at large.

“Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University should not just bear the name of a great leader but embody his legacy by becoming a centre of excellence and innovation.

“This endowment will guarantee the university’s capacity to foster groundbreaking research, provide scholarships, and sustain world-class infrastructure independent of fluctuating budgets,” he stated.

Chidoka, Chancellor of the Athena Centre for Policy and Leadership further called on government to adopt what he termed the “Elitism of Ability,” drawing examples from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs).

He noted that Indians are leading the world’s technology companies like Microsoft, Alphabet (Google’s parent company), Adobe, and IBM, and attributed this success to the foundation laid by IITs.

“The IITs are globally renowned for their meritocratic selection processes that cultivate world-class engineers and innovators. Nigeria must embrace this model to nurture talent, drive development, and secure a prosperous future,” he said.

Chidoka lamented the failure of Nigeria’s higher education to achieve the rigour or global integration level of the IITs.

“Although we have numerous universities and an abundance of bright, motivated students, our institutions lack the resources, global partnerships and strategic focus to become feeder grounds for global companies or prestigious institutions, limiting the broader impact of education on societal transformation,” he added.

Using Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s choice to join the military despite his privileged background as a guiding metaphor, Chidoka argued, “Education is not a ticket to comfort but a foundation for courage and purpose.”

He emphasised that education must instil values, civic responsibility and drive to address societal challenges.

Chidoka concluded with a powerful challenge: “Who, if not us, will build this future? The time to act is now.”

In her welcome address, acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Kate Omenugha highlighted the university’s commitment to its “Three Vs” program of Values, Viability, and Visibility as the cornerstone of her administration’s vision for COOU.

The memorial lecture was attended by notable dignitaries, including the Deputy Governor of Anambra State, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, representing the Governor; former Minister Labaran Maku, who served as the special guest of honour; and Prof. Greg Nwakoby, former Vice-Chancellor of COOU and chairman of the occasion.

The National Commission for Nomadic Education (NCNE), Monday, commenced a five-day workshop on the review/development and critique of pupil’s texts in National Values and History for the education of nomadic pastoralists and migrant fisherfolk/farmers.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of (NCNE), Prof. Bashir H. Usman, who was represented by the Director, Extension Education and Skills Development, Dr Abdu Umar Ardo, said the workshop will ensure that the adapted/developed materials will conform with the culture of the nomadic child.

Dr Abdu Umar Ardo, the Director, Extension Education and Skills Development, who represented the Executive Secretary.

Prof. Usman said the workshop will also ensure that the adapted/developed materials meet the minimum national norms and standards of Basic Education in Nigeria.

He said: “This workshop is not only relevant but also timely because of the urgent need to make available standardized reading materials for our clientele at this time. The effective implementation of Nomadic Education Programme (NEP) depends largely on the continuous review and update of relevant and standard educational materials. In doing this, the Commission is very mindful of the peculiar needs, work role and environment of these target groups.

“This workshop is aimed at first, to ensure that the adapted/developed materials will conform with the culture of the nomadic child. Second, is to ensure that the adapted/developed materials meet the minimum national norms and standards of Basic Education in Nigeria.

“It is my hope that the outcome of this development and critique will further mainstream and integrate nomads into the National lifestyle through relevant, qualitative and functional education as well as boosts their knowledge, skills and practices to contribute positively their own quota in the affairs of the nation.

“I am confident the resource persons from various institutions of learning will approach this task with great commitment that it requires to make these materials relevant to our target groups.

“The Federal Ministry of Education has been supportive in the implementation of Nomadic Education Programme and commitment to the delivery of quality education in Nigeria and is hereby commended alongside the entire staff of the Commission for their efforts in achieving the desired goal of NEP and making this workshop a success.”

Mrs Oluwaseyi Ismaila, the Chief Education Officer represented the Director, PRS

Also speaking, the Head of Department, Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. (Mrs) Rose Nwaji, who was represented by the Chief Education Officer in the Department of PRS, Mrs Oluwaseyi Ismaila, said it is the Commission’s view that offering the nomadic groups access to qualitative basic education would improve knowledge, skills, practices and help raise both the productive and income levels of the nomads.

She said: “It is the Commission’s view that offering the nomadic groups access to qualitative basic education would improve knowledge, skills, practices and help raise both the productive and income levels of the nomads. In view of this, the Commission, since inception has placed high premium on the continuous review and development of qualitative instructional materials that can positively improve pupil’s learning, motivation and general enhancement.

“The objectives of the workshop are to develop pupil’s texts in National Values (Social Studies and Civic & Security Education) for the migrant fisherfolk/farmers levels (1-6) to ensure the attainment of national standards of basic education in Nigeria and critically examine the reviewed/developed pupil’s texts in National Values (pastoralists) and History (migrant fisherfolk/farmers) levels 1-6.

“The workshop will also develop pupil’s texts that can provide proper instructions on the use of synchronised curriculum; ensure that all the topics in the curriculum are captured in the pupil’s texts across the levels (1-6) and determine the relevance of the materials to the socio-cultural values of nomads; and produce hard draft copies of the new pupil’s texts.

“As you are aware, National Values in Education produce a cultured and disciplined individual. It contributes in shaping the lifestyle of an individual and the society which, explains why moral education cannot be detached from National Values.

“In other words, History as a subject in Basic schools, enables the pupils to understand knowledge of the past and how it relates to the present. It also enables them to appreciate the basis for the unity of Nigeria as a force that shapes the affairs of the world.

“The workshop could not have come at a better time than this moment because education has always been central, crucial and critical to the development of human society by shaping positively the mindset of young ones. It is pertinent to mention that no nation can achieve economic, social, political and cultural posterity without a sound functional and responsive education system.”

The National Youth Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Comrade Eze Onyebuchi Chukwu, has said the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Anambra state, is lucky to have Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh as the 7th Vice Chancellor (VC) because of his uprightness, professionalism, intelligence, philanthropism, innovative ideas, among other qualities.

In an interaction with our reporter, Sunday in Abuja, Chukwu said Odoh, who was the governorship candidate of APGA in 2023 general election in Ebonyi State, had opportunities to enrich himself during his appointment as the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government (SSG) from 2015 to 2018, but preferred to side with the poor against the anti-people policies of the state government.

He advised those against Odoh’s appointment as the 7th VC of UNIZIK to give him the benefit of doubt to prove himself, insisting Odoh remains the best and the most qualified for the position.

He said: “When I read the articles published by those contesting the emergence of Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh, I laugh, because it’s typical of Nigeria where no best emerges in peace. I wish these people know who Professor Odoh is.

“They should be thanking God for his emergence as the VC of Unizik. Sadly, in Nigeria, whenever a solution emerges, problems arise to stop it. The Odoh that I know is a solution that should be begged and supported to come and revamp UNIZIK.

“Let me tell you a few reasons UNIZIK is lucky to have Odoh. Odoh is morally upright. Recall that he was the governorship candidate of APGA in the 2023 general election in Ebonyi State. He met the most dangerous and fiercest opposition in his campaigns, yet refused to join them in carrying arms.

“He was attacked and shot at up to nine, times to the extent that he lost his driver and many of his cars burnt. I was deeply involved in his campaign as the Campaign Director Voter Mobilisation; so I know exactly what I am telling you. Youths volunteered to fight back for him for free, but Prof Odoh refused to respond to guns with guns. He said he won’t go illegal even for free. He believes so much in legality.

“Prof. Odoh is very bright; academically and highly resourceful. From the beginning, he has been a very intelligent student and an incredible teacher. He’s very innovative and tactical in his outings.

“Professor Odoh is a man that takes pride in integrity. We all know the rot in our universities in Nigeria today. It becomes a blessing to have a man who will rather resign than compromise.

“Let me tell you a brief story about Professor Odoh. In May 2015, Prof. Odoh was appointed the Secretary to Ebonyi State Government (SSG).

“Three years down the line in April 2018, he voluntarily resigned because the government he was serving its interest as the SSG was not serving the interest of the people.

“The government had a lot of anti people’s policies that had no direct impact on the lives of the poor, people, including building flyovers in the state capital where there was obviously no reason for it, abandoning education and other human orientated policies that will benefit and uplift the people.

“Imagine resigning the juicy position of the SSG of a state because of the integrity of not being part of the deceits against the people. He did because he will rather resign than deceive the people and share their money.

“Prof Odoh is incorruptible. After his resignation, the then government threatened to probe him and Professor Odoh invited EFCC by himself to declare his innocence. He became the first public officer to invite EFCC to probe himself and nothing was found against him. In all his time in office, he did not involve himself in any dirty deal and resigned instead of staining himself.

“Odoh is a change agent. Most importantly, he’s is an agent of transformation. Judge him by the few days he has stayed in office, he has toured the entire school and its faculties. He has taken record of everything needed to be done to improve the university. He’s always prepared and nothing takes him by surprise.”

He added: “Prof Odoh is a professional. Odoh is a member of several professional bodies, including: Society of Exploration Geophysics, Oklahoma, USA, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Nigerian Association of Petroleum Explorationists, Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society.

“Odoh is a philanthropist. Prof Odoh has heart for the poor and does not involve himself in anything that will punish the poor. He has initiated a lot of community projects, including free medical outreach, scholarship awards to many indigent students to study both locally and overseas.

“He equally has the following scholarly and merit awards to his credit: Awardee, Society of Exploration Geophysics/ TGS
Field Camp Project of merit grant in support of the project titled: “Investigation of Toxic Waste Sites
and Buried Fuel Tanks Using Spontaneous Potential Method” – 2009, Awardee, Society of Exploration Geophysics Project of merit for 2007 and 2008, 2004/2005 Veritas DGS/Ashbert NAPE Best PG Research Work (for M.Sc.) in Geophysics, 2005/2006 NAPE/ Austin Avuru Best Postgraduate
Research Work in Applied Geophysics, TETFUND 2012 Research Grant for Investigating, Geological and Geochemical Origin of Okposi-Uburu
Salt Lakes, Ebonyi State.

“Professor Odoh has over 75 scholarly publications, more than 80 conference papers, technical reports, numerous
authored and co-authored books in collaboration with renowned academic luminaries. Prof Odoh is a renowned and prolific scholar, attaining professorship at the early age of 38.

“Odoh is a businessman with managerial skills. He is also a Trustee of PurpleHands Initiatives, Canada as
well as PurpleHands Empowerment Initiatives, Abuja.

“He was part of the following international consultancies
and fellowships: Water for Life, New York, USA; China-African Think-Tanks, Beijing, China; SEG near Surface Geophysics, Vancouver, Canada; SEG Hydro geophysics, Nevada, USA; The World Bank, Washington DC, USA; UNICEF, New York; AAPG, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Canada Workplace Safety and Health, Toronto, Canada; London Agriculture show, London, UK and Indian Business Conclave, New Delhi, India.

“In addition to the above, he was appointed as a delegate to Higher Education Administration Seminar for Anglophone African Countries in three major provinces of China (19th October and 7th November, 2013), under the sponsorship of the Chinese Ministry of Education as well as technical team member of the voluntary visitors, Leadership Program for Newly
Appointed Nigerian Vice Chancellors to the United States of America Department of State in collaboration
with National Universities Commission-NUC (13-23rd October, 2010).

“Professor Bernard Ifeanyi Odoh remains the best and the most qualified for the VC of our prestigious UNIZIK. Let’s give him the benefit of doubt and he will prove himself.”