The Senate of Benson Idahosa University at its 171 meeting held on June 18, 2015 has approved August 2015 as resumption date for the 2015/2016 Academic Session.

1. Resumption date for first semester for new students and 200L (Direct entry) students (Sunday August 30, 2015)

2. Resumption date for returning students (Sunday September 6, 2015)

3. Resumption date for returning part-time students (Friday September 11, 2015)

4. Lectures begin on Monday September 14, 2015.

The complete calendar can be found here – www.biu.edu.ng/calendar

Educational accreditation is a type of quality assurance process under which services and operations of educational institutions or programms are evaluated by an external body to determine if applicable standards are met. Accredited status and approval is granted by the commission if seen qualified. For Benson Idahosa University, another opportunity has come for the University to play host to her regulators.

Welcoming members of the National Universities Commission (NUC) to Benson Idahosa University the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest B. Izevbigie noted that the institution has students from 33 out of the 36 States of the Country, adding that the University is driven by its seven core values amongst which are ownership mentality, team work, people matter, academic excellence with godliness. Read More

Speaking at the “2015 Future Ready University Conference” hosted by Covenant University and organized by Softcom technology in partnership with Samsung, Prof. Ernest B.Izevbigie, while congratulating the organizers says the conference is a value added proposition towards making Nigerian universities efficient and technologically driven.

Decrying the tedious manual method used by some Nigeria universities when collating students data; such as the calculation of a student’s cumulative grade point average (CGPA), the Vice Chancellor enjoined the CEO of SOFTCOM Solutions, Mr. Yomi Adedeji, to create a software which will enable Nigerian universities achieve efficiency through value added technology, adding that Benson Idahosa university through its ICT department has moved ahead of these challenges.

Prof. Izevbigie therefore charged his colleagues in the academia to move away from the old method of doing things by introducing technology in the classrooms and their work place.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Chancellor of Covenant University, Dr. David Oyedepo represented by the Registrar, Dr. Muyiwa Oludayo, said the essence of the conference is for Nigerian Universities to build a mobile learning environment for its students, noting that the hearts of today’s students have moved away from the classrooms to the Internet.

Speaking on the need for Nigerian Universities to be future ready, Dr. Oludayo said that at the end of the conference, Nigerian universities would take a quantum leap by bridging the gap between the classrooms and mobile technology, while appreciating the CEO of Softcom Solutions for choosing Covenant University as host partners of the conference.

The event was attended by Vice Chancellors from top fifty Nigerian universities. Also present were co-partners of Softcom; Diamond Bank, Samsung, MTN Nigeria as well as the host partner, Covenant University.

As part of its efforts to continue to drive programmes for staff welfare, Benson Idahosa University today inaugurated its Staff Housing scheme.

Speaking at the inauguration, the chairman of the BIU Corporative Staff Housing scheme, Mr. Gladday Igwabara said, the housing scheme which was birthed by the President, Bishop F.E. Benson Idahosa II marks the birth of housing cooperative in Benson Idahosa University, noting that it is in line with the federal government housing scheme.—- (sound)

Also speaking, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest B. Izevbigie said the housing scheme is in line with one of the university’s core values, “People Matter”. According to him, ‘this is the BIU Dream’ designed to enable staff own their own houses, while appreciating the President for the laudable initiative.

On his part, the Director of Edo State Corporative Society, Mr. Okon Alabi, said one very important thing about corporative society is that it encourage staff to develop the culture of saving, while speaking of the need for the staff to save today in order to secure their tomorrow. He however said, cooperative societies are owned by members who are also shareholders.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of the official certificate of operation for the housing scheme by the Director, Edo State Cooperative Society, Mr. Okon Alabi, to the President, Bishop F.E Benson Idahosa II who presented the same certificate to the Chairman, Benson Idahosa University Housing Scheme, Mr. Gladday Igwabara.

Speaking, the President, Bishop F.E Benson Idahosa II said, the housing scheme is management’s way of making staff know they care and to ensure that staff are able to own their own houses while working in Benson Idahosa University. He said the university housing scheme, otherwise, known as “University Garden Estate” is indeed a blessing to staff, while praying for all (sound).

Some staff members also expressed their appreciation to the Management and what they stand to benefit as members of the scheme.

Also present at the occasion was the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia, the Ag. Registrar, Rev. Mike Okagbare, and the Director of Academic Planning, Mr. Mark Ighile.

In response to the health needs and wellbeing of our students, Management of Benson Idahosa University has re-opened a new Infirmary, operating as an annex of Faith Mediplex Hospital. The new clinic has since been providing health care services to the students.

In an interview with the Ag. Medical Director of Faith Mediplex, Dr.  Raymond Obidigbo said, the hospital is poised towards providing quality medical service to the students, noting that at the moment, there are three Doctors, Nurses, Pharmacist, Laboratory scientist as well as a standby ambulance assigned to the clinic. According to him, the clinic will operate as a primary health care center while secondary and specialist care will be referred to the main hospital.

Speaking on how the hospital hopes to manage student’s cases, Dr. Obidigbo says, his team of doctors and nurses are well trained in such areas, adding that students in the university community are a peculiar group of people who require a lot of patience and negotiation in handling their cases. He however said that today’s youth will rather rely on what is said on social media or get advice from their friends than rely on what the doctor is saying. Speaking further the Ag. Medical Director said some students are unwilling to disclose to the doctor the true state of their health. This he said makes it difficult for the doctor to do his work effectively

Continuing Dr. Obidigbo said, while they are glad to work as health care provider for Benson Idahosa University, they hope to speak to the university management on the need to include health care awareness programme in the school’s curriculum, adding that the new hospital management will also take advantage of the school’s Friday chapel services to speak to the students on the importance of primary health care, to enable the students manage some simple health situations. He however said that though expectations are high, they promise to meet the needs of the student at individual levels.

The Management of Benson Idahosa University (BIU) met with the Leaders of the Student Consultative Forum (SCF) on Monday June 1^st, 2015. The Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof Sam Guobadia (on behalf of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest B. Izevbigie) received the Students at the Senate Chamber.

The meeting was centered around issues bordering on the welfare of Students. These issues include hostel accommodation, feeding and Health.

Students were also permitted to raise complaints.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) in his response assured the Students of the University’s readiness to address the issues raised.

He also reiterated an “open door” policy System where Students can channel their “grievances” to Management through these Leaders and assured all of University’s readiness to act on these concerns and challenges.

The Students Consultative Forum is an initiative of the Management of the University to serve as a round-table for interaction between the Students and the University. The forum which would be held more frequently would ensure feedback from issues on developments and student’s welfare are well attended to.

Speaking at the memorial service, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest B. Izevbigie said, “It is indeed a time of mourning for the Management, Staff and Students of Benson Idahosa University over the demise of Justin Ukwu, a 200L student of the Department of International Studies and Diplomacy (ISD). He said, investigations carried out by the University Management on the incidence shows that Marina Medical Services Limited failed by not providing adequate service in managing the health condition of Mr. Justin, adding that proper medical procedures were not carried out.

Expressing the University’s grief over Justin’s death the Vice Chancellor said, Management is deeply angry and saddened by the incidence, noting that the memorial service which is tagged, “Justice 4 our Justin,” is Benson Idahosa University saying,  ‘We are Justin’s family, We Care’. He however said that the University Management met with the family and offered prayers for them, while pledging the University’s support and assistance to the family.

Prof. Izevbigie therefore called for peace and shared grief. He also called on all to join in the crusade by sending condolence messages to the families and the University Community at this trying moment, rather than opting for violence and destructive criticism against the University whose track record has produced great leaders around the world.

Highpoint of the ceremony was the lowering of the University flag in honour of Mr. Justin. This was followed by a minute silent after which special prayers were offered for the family by the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop F.E. Benson Idahosa II who also represented the Chancellor and Archbishop of the Church of God Mission International Dr. Margaret Benson Idahosa as well as the Deputy Provost, Rev Charles Ofili who represented the All Nations for Christ Bible Institute International. Also featured were soul lifting renditions by the BIU Choir.

Earlier at the General Staff Morning Devotion, Management and Staff led by the President and Vice Chancellor all stood outside the main entrance at the University gate where they observed a moment of silence in honour of Mr. Justin as well as special prayers for the family and the University at large.