With an historic track record in sporting activities at both the National University’s Games (NUGA) and the Private University’s Games (PUGA), Benson Idahosa University has again recorded another landmark achievement in sport as it commissioned an ultra-modern state of the art football pitch recently.

Prior to the commissioning, the University’s football Team known as ‘Team BIU’, was left with no choice but to rely on the poor state of the University’s football pitch when preparing for national and private University’s games across the country. It was against this backdrop that Management thought it wise to improve the aesthetics of the University’s owned football pitch, giving it a state of the art look.

Speaking while commissioning the ultra-modern state of the art sporting facility, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest B. Izevbigie-FNAI appreciated Management and the University Governing Council for appropriating the necessary funds for the improved aesthetics in the football pitch. He said, the ultra-modern state of the art soccer facility is consistent with the mission of the University which is, ‘raising leaders who are complete in spirit, mind and body’.  Prof. Izevbigie however said that, the ultra -modern soccer pitch will enhance Team BIU’s competitiveness at the National University’s Games (NUGA), and all other sporting activities.

President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop FEB Idahosa in an interview, expressed his satisfaction at the ultra- modern sporting facility noting that, the commissioning of the football pitch marks a great achievement in the area of sports in Benson Idahosa University. Optimistic at Team BIU’s preparedness at the forth coming National University’s Games (NUGA) and Private University’s Games (PUGA), President FEB said, the State of the art soccer pitch will help motivate the Team to engage in more trainings, adding that by the grace of God, Benson Idahosa University will top the medals table at all NUGA and PUGA games. He however said, in the near future Benson Idahosa University hopes to play host to National and International competitions at the University’s Okah site.

Also speaking, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia, quite satisfied with the new outlook of the football facility, applauded Management for restoring the football pitch to its present state.

In their separate interviews, the Coach of Benson Idahosa University football Team, Mr. Seyi Frances said, ‘it is a standard pitch, and will help improve their games’. He hopes to get fresh talents into the Team. On his part, Mr. Fred Newton Erhunmse, who spoke on behalf of the Sports Coordinator, Mrs. Adebayo James said, with the new facility, more athletes will be hungry to participate at various sporting events such as NUGA and PUGA, adding that it will help enhance player’s skills.

Earlier, the Director of Campus Life, Rev. Laurie Idahosa said, the soccer pitch is indeed a landmark achievement for the University in the area of sport. Rev. Laurie disclosed that as part of its sporting activities, Campus Life Department has a three year maintenance agreement with the Company which supplied the field.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the kick-off by the president, bishop FEB Idahosa.

The World Congress on International Law with the theme “Contemporary Issues on International Law” held from the 9^th to 11^th of January, 2015 at New Delhi, India. The three-day Conference was declared open with an Inaugural Address delivered by Hon’ble Shri Pranab M. H. Ansari the Vice President of India, as well as a Special Address by Judge Peter Tomka, President of International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague who also made presentation during the Conference. Among participants in the Conference were several eminent jurists and learned scholars from different jurisdictions in the world including Judge Ahmed Yusuf and Justice Dalveer Bhandari (Convener, Steering Committee of the World Congress on International Law) both of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at The Hague, Professor Ved P. Nanda (John Evans Distinguished Professor, Thomson G. Marsh Professor of Law, University of Denver, Sturm College of Law), Professor Jan Wouters, Professor of International Law, Leuven, Belgium.

Okwezuzu, Gaius E. Esq. making his presentation at the World Congress on International Law

Over 100 abstracts were submitted and the selection process was highly competitive. However, it is a thing of joy that the abstract on “An Appraisal of United Nations Efforts in International Environmental Protection” submitted by Gaius Okwezuzu of the Faculty of Law, Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, was among those selected. The World Congress on International Law can indeed be considered very valuable to Benson Idahosa University. First, the only delegate that attended the conference as an invited speaker from a university in Africa was from Benson Idahosa University. It therefore afforded a glorious opportunity to showcase the University: participants from different parts of the world have come to be acquainted with the University; valuable contacts with the outside world have also been established with our Law Faculty and the University in general. Second, it has added value to the university by the availability of the highly valuable presentations by eminent jurists and scholars to the staff and students of the Faculty of Law and the University as a whole. Of great significance is the fact that our Law Faculty including staff and students of the Faculty is now abreast with the current trends in various aspects of International Law. Finally, the Conference is also of great benefit to Gaius Okwezuzu who personally participated in the Conference. First, the Conference has enhanced his competence and performance as a Law teacher. Second, it has granted him exposure at the international realm. The World Congress on International Law was indeed a remarkable event.