The Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District, Dr. Tony Nwoye, has described the 14th Vice-chancellor of the University of Nigeria Nsukka, UNN, Professor Benjamin Ozumba, as a father and role model to many people, including himself.
He made the remark at the 70th birthday anniversary of Professor Ozumba, which coincided with his official retirement from the service of the university.
Dr. Nwoye, who described the onetime Provost, College of Medicine, UNN as one who recorded many achievements in the university, said that he is a Medical Doctor now is as a result of Professor Ozumba’s fatherly advice to him.
Nwoye congratulated Ozumba on his illustrious service to the university and contributions to the body of knowledge, and prayed that he would enjoy the fruits of his labour in good health.
Senator Dr Tony Nwoye said that UNN as the first university in the country needed N20b intervention from the Federal Government to upgrade infrastructures, boost teaching and learning.
As a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, “I will make this request on the floor of the Senate, I ask my friend, the JAMB registrar to help tell the presidency for this intervention,” he said.
It was gathered that Senator Dr. Nwoye, a product of UNN, was the first Medical student to become the Speaker of the Student Union Parliament of the university, and later became National President of National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS, the first Igbo student and undergraduate to take such position.
Delivering a lecture titled; “Institutional Autonomy, Accountability and the Quest for Efficient Governance of Nigerian Universities,” the Registrar of Joint Admission and Matriculation Board, JAMB, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, said that discourse on University autonomy and accountability had become complicated in recent years given that diverse opinions of segments of society had developed different notions of what these would be to universities.
“It is in the interest of every nation to protect both academic freedom and institutional autonomy in the universities for improved productivity in research and innovation.
“Critical questions must be asked on how universities have been able to utilise the money given to them in the interest of the country’s education and economic development.
“Universities must know that they have the responsibility of quality teaching, research and community service as well as proffering solutions to critical national issues and being accountable to the government,”.
Earlier, the Current Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Igwe, said the universe would forever remain grateful to Professor Ozumba for the many achievements he recorded in the university.
The event, which attracted dignitaries from different walks of life, climaxed with cutting of Professor Ozumba’s retirement and 70th birthday cake.