Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), Alumni Association, has started the building of a 1000-seater capacity lecture theatre as part of their contribution to ease the deficits of lecture halls in the institutions.
The foundation laying event which attracted both former students of the university, generated much excitement in the university community owing to the ripple effects it would have in the provision of more spacious and convenient lecture halls for the students.
MOUAU VC, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe (1st Right), performing the foundation laying formalities of MOUAU Alumni Association Lecture Theatre in MOUAU Abia State recently.
Performing the foundation laying ceremony of the project, the Vice-chancellor, MOUAU, Abia state, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, described Alumni body as the backbone of the university, adding that the lecture theatre when completed would enhance teaching and learning and be of great benefit to the upcoming generations.
He said: “The university cannot have meaning progress without the MOUAU Alumni body. This is what progress and growth is all about. I am so glad it is happening in my time where former students, trained in this university over 20 years ago are coming back to pay back to the system that made them.
“That gives me good rest that we have not laboured in vain in the lives of these students as most of them are occupying enviable positions here and there in the society”.
The Vice-Chancellor, MOUAU, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe (Middle), the National President, MOUAU Alumni Association, Dr. Obasi Igwe Oscar (1st Right) among others, during the foundation laying ceremony of 1000 seater capacity lecture theatre to be built by the Alumni group and donated to the university recently.
The Vice-chancellor who promised to carry the Alumni body along in the scheme of things as well as to inform the university’s governing council of the development, further noted that he is happy to associate himself with such initiative.
He expressed hope that the project would be completed in record time, adding that it would be an honour to commission same project during his tenure in office.
Prof, Iwe also expressed delight that the transportation plight of students of the university has been alleviated by the reactivation of the popular transport shuttle abandoned by previous administration, maintaining that the university should expect more in the coming days.
MOUAU VC, Prof Iwe (2nd left) and the MOUAU Alumni Association National President, Dr. Oscar (2nd Right)during the event.
Fielding questions from journalists on his modest achievements in the past six months, the university boss said: “Just one day at a time, we are moving, we are taking it sector by sector, doing what will be useful to everybody at the same time and patching up things that were left behind, trying to repair things that have spoilt over time as well as attract new things to the university. Before time, we will ease off and everybody would be happy.”
MOUAU VC, Prof Iwe with the university’s principal officers and members of the MOUAU Alumni Association during the foundation laying event recently in MOUAU Abia State.
Speaking earlier, the National president, MOUAU, Alumni Association Dr. Obasi Igwe Oscar, highlighted that the numerical growth of students in the university has made available lecture halls insufficient and overcrowded, thereby negatively affecting teaching and learning in the institution.
This, he, disclosed, informed the MOUAU Alumni Association decision to build and donate to the university a 1000-seater capacity lecture theatre to salvage the situation a little.
Oscar who revealed that the signature project would be funded through the association purse and from its members within and outside the country, maintained that the lecture theatre would enhance teaching and learning in the institution.
He recalled that the Alumni association had previously built a secretariat, donated part of it to the university Alumni unit, initiated a scholarship scheme for best graduating students of the university, established on endowment fund for the university among others, adding that the group is mobilizing her members in Nigeria and diaspora to support the growth of the system that produce them.
Oscar called in all alumni members of the institution and well spirited individuals to join hands to achieve the project in record time, insisting that it would serve the educational needs of today and posterity.
He hailed the Vice-chancellor for showing capacity and academic leadership in the university within the six months in office, pledging to continuously mobilize supports for his administration to success immeasurably.
MOUAU VC, Prof Iwe (1st left) and the National President, MOUAU Alumni Association, Dr. Oscar during the event.
In their remarks, the National Secretary of the MOUAU Alumni Association, Comrade Chukwudi Njoku and the Umuahia Chapter chairman, MOUAU Alumni association, Comrade Uwalaka Onyekachi, said that the Alumni association enjoys a cordial relationship with the university’s management, adding that out of the numerous challenges facing the university, the alumni body prioritized the lecture theatre project.
They also applauded the vice-chancellor for meeting the needs of the university community, stating that the MOUAU Alumni association will continue to do more as a way of giving back to the system that produce them.
They disclosed that the era of water shortage, light outage and industrial disharmony among other things are over, insisting that the reactivation of the MOUAU transport scheme abandoned over the years was a right step to the yearnings of the people.
Contributing, the former National President of the association, Pastor John Ikpegbu, lauded the Dr. Oscar-led MOUAU Alumni association for the project, stating: “It is time to show more positive presence in the institution.
