UNN agog as Uduaghan builds research centre for varsity

The Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has urged experienced Nigerians to continuously contribute their quota to building a better educational sector for the country.
The governor said apart from the education sector, Nigeria still requires experienced hands in the area of security, infrastructure development and human capital development.
Uduaghan maintained that those who have retired based on official age but believe in their intellectual acumen should come out to offer something for the growth of the nation.
The governor spoke when he visited the Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Bartholomeo Okolo, shortly before he commissioned the B.I.C. Ijeoma Centre For Social Research, also known as Sociology Building, donated by the Delta State Government to the institution.
According to the governor, Nigeria today needs a lot of experienced persons to handle issues that bother on security, infrastructure and more importantly, human capital development.
He stated that the Sociology Building “was sponsored in honour of one of our (Delta) very best who passed through this institution, Prof. B.I.C. Ijeoma.”
Uduaghan described the UNN as “one of the foremost Universities in Nigeria”.
While he said Nigerians are glad that the tradition of UNN was kept till today, he commended the University authorities for keeping the green environment, asserting: “The world is going green and when I see a community like this, I am very happy.”
The governor congratulated Prof. Okolo for a successful tenure as the Vice Chancellor of the University, saying: “I thank God for your life and that you are ending your tenure and ending it very well.”
At the commissioning, which was graced by top government functionaries and foremost politicians from across Delta State, including Chief Godwill Obielum and Prof. Ijeoma, in whose honour the structure was built, Governor Uduaghan commended the Vice Chancellor for attracting students-oriented projects to the institution.
He said: “We are here to honour Prof. B.I.C. Ijeoma, who is a pioneer of so many things. Who today is also a pioneer with a centre named after him.”
Uduaghan added: “We have great people from Delta State who are been honoured.”
He urged students to shun such vices as cultism and examination malpractice and take the likes of Prof. Ijeoma as mentors and avoid crave for material wealth against quality education and decent environment.
“Today, we are here to honour someone who has made a mark. Many are honoured when they have died, but we decided to honour our own when he is alive,” he further stated.
Okolo observed that the structure has saved students the rigours of “taking their lectures at the stadium. There was no single lecture hall for the students of Sociology in the university. You have touched the hearts of the students and the institution.”
Prof. Ijeoma thanked the governor for immortalizing him.
He said: “Today, you are honouring me again with this centre.
“This is the first time I believe I am qualified for this because of my passion for my alma mater. God has used you to keep me living.
“He has a foresight, which many Nigerians do not have, and is not carried away by oil wealth, but is thinking of what we should do to prepare for period when oil dries up. Nigeria needs him at the centre because he has shown that the ideas within him goes beyond Delta State. By honouring a product of this university, you are encouraging others to toe your line.”