The educational sector has received a major boost as Benson Idahosa University and the Royal Exchange Prudential Life recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

This is to help bona fide students of Benson Idahosa University who are unable to complete their fees as a result of demise of their sponsors. The University Management took this step further to ensure that student who gain admission into the University, graduate without any financial hindrance.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie said it is a welcome development as the University had continued to demonstrate capacity in learning.

Following the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding and exchange of documents between the leaderships of Benson Idahosa University and Royal Exchange Prudential Life, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, attributed that the collaboration features the University’s core areas, which are Research, Teaching and Service.

He further expressed his excitement at the opportunities which the product will primarily accord the affected students with hope that greater things will come from the collaboration.

On his part, the Head of Technical Operations, Royal Exchange Prudential Life, Wale Akinrotimi said the collaboration is one of their company’s product called the Royal Tuition Plan.

This product/plan he explained will ensure that every student remains in school uninterrupted as long as the partnership with Benson Idahosa University exists. Akinrotimi said, “We are faced with a lot of contingencies in life; contingency of death and permanent disability, and we are here to partner with Benson Idahosa University to help students whenever such occurs.

For instance, if a parent dies while the child is still in this school, we would pay the school fees till he/she graduates.” He commended the University saying it’s a laudable effort because very few institutions have keyed into this.

He reiterated that the partnership is in a bid to ensure that the studentship of any child is not jeopardized as a result of the death of his/ her parents” he said.

Royal Exchange Prudential Life is the life arm of the Royal Exchange Plc. The company is licensed to underwrite life insurance and related risks.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobadia has advised final year students to develop a positive attitude towards entrepreneurship as it is one of the major ways of attaining self-fulfillment.

The don who gave the advice while speaking at the Life Success Centre programme said being an entrepreneur would help them meet their financial
goals and increase their self-confidence.

Speaking on ‘why start a business’ he told the students that it will enable them become job creators rather than job seekers after their graduation. “Starting a business helps you to make money and do well for society.

He reminded them that successful businesses are not always about the money as some of the biggest businesses today started with little or nothing. “Before you start a business, you must develop pre-requisite skills” he said.

He urged them to also develop a globalised mindset which entails being creative and spending on assets rather than on liabilities as the former will help increase cash flow.

The Professor of Economics urged the students to acquire more knowledge by attending workshops and conferences organized for startups.

Speaking on “Home training” the Director, Campus life Division, Rev. Laurie Idahosa said that effective time management is the major key in home training. “Time management is the key in home training. A good host prepares ahead of time and anticipates the needs of his/her guest,” she said.

“As a lady, you should know the kind of man you are going to marry. Remember that men like surprises, therefore don’t expose your body just to entice them.” She added.

The Life Success Centre (LSC) is a career training centre that helps to train, equip and challenge Benson Idahosa University final year students.

World-renowned evangelist, Christian statesman and President of Morris Cerullo World Evangelism, Dr. Morris Cerullo has laid the foundation stone for the construction of the University’s Open Distance Learning Centre in Okha, Benin.

Dr. Morris who performed the ground breaking ceremony on Wednesday, described the Open Distance Learning Centre as the manifestation of God’s thought, adding that the new project would serve as an inspiration for all.

Describing the ceremony as historic for the Institution ,he lauded the University Management  saying now it is a time to sow and in no distant time the institution will reap and have abundant harvest.

While speaking, the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa said the aim is to launch Nigeria fully into the online world. Before the building will finish we would be starting the work because we actually have a licence.

“As we launch Nigeria into the online world, anybody who is at home, and can’t go to school because he/ she have to work can actually sit at their computers and take classes up to Masters and PhD level.” He said.

He added that the vision is to enable students get degrees online.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the University’s Governing Council, Engr. Goddie Isibor urged well-meaning Nigerians to key into the vision by partnering with the institution.

On his part, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, explained that the centre is aimed at creating better accessibility to qualitative and affordable education.

This, he said, would translate to empowerment.

“In the end, you will have a more educated society and that will translate to employment because there is a positive correlation between education and empowerment,” Izevbigie added.

He added that the centre is aimed at improving equal access to education for both the young and old in the state.

Present at the ceremony were members of the University’s Governing Council,  respected clergies from Church of God Mission International and the All Nations for Christ Bible Institute International (ANFBII), and the  founder of Victory Christian Fellowship in New Castle, Delaware, Dr. Gary Whetsone.

The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie has insisted that taking Vitamin C with Fanta and sprite soft drink could cause cancer and other health illness.

He expressed concern over the non-compliance with the order of a Lagos High Court mandating the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and control (NAFDAC) to compel NBC to include a written warning that it would be dangerous to take the contents of the soft drinks with Vitamin C.

He said the 90 days given by the court has since expired and that the NBC should have withdrawn the products until all the issues were resolved.

Speaking at a press briefing at the university senate chamber, he said that it was worrisome that nothing had changed since the order from the court mandating NAFDAC to compel the Nigeria bottling company (NBC) to do the needful, adding that it was wrong for organizations to place profit ahead of human safety.

Prof. Izevbigie, said that the institution stood by its research findings on the danger of taking Vitamin C with benzoic acid as in Fanta and Sprite, saying it was done in line with the mandate given to the University to impact knowledge, research and service to the country.

“It is the university that should serve as an umpire. It is about us to give our expert opinion.”

He explained that the review of the Scientific literature which examined the effect of temperature (20 o C, 60 o C and 100 o C) on the conversion of Benzoic acid to benzene shows, “an increase in benzene formation of as the temperature increased from 20 degree Celsius to 60 degree Celsius by approximately three fold (300%) in the absence of Vitamin C, and tenfold (1000%) in the presence of Vitamin C in 24 hours. It cannot be concluded the formation of benzene does not occur at 30 o C and 40 o C”.

He said the colourant used in Fanta, the yellow sunset, had been implicated in cytotoxicity, carcinogenesis, allergies and hyper activity in children when the right amount is not used.

On benzoic acid, he said the Federal Ministry of Health has explanation to give on the reason why standard given for it in soft drinks was put at 250mg/kg as opposed to 150mg/kg that was obtainable in the United Kingdom and Ghana.

He further said that azo dyes do not occur in nature, they metabolise due to the presence of azo reductase enzymes in the body, which reduce the azo group to produce two compounds with amino groups.

Prof Izevbigie, who noted that though the Nigerian standard was high owing to high temperature and that it still falls within the international standard, said pasteurization and the use of carbon dioxide can achieve the same goal as the use of high benzoic acid without the added health risks.

He urged NAFDAC to live up to its responsibility in scientific research and regulation, adding that the issue of human safety must override business profit.

He recommended a “reduction of the sodium benzoate concentration to below 150mg/kg, a removal of Vitamin C as an ingredient in Fanta due to concern for benzene toxicity and the use of natural dye as a replacement for the colourant in Fanta.”

Twelve of 59 Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP) beneficiaries, who graduated from the Benson Idahosa University, bagged First Class Honours.

Twenty bagged Second Class Upper Division and 29 Second Class Lower Division at the 13th Convocation Ceremony of tBenson Idahosa University at the weekend.

The best Amnesty delegates who made the list of best graduating students  are Mr. Bolei Gideon, (Department of Agronomy and Environmental Management), Mr. Azebi Oyeikurokaemo Marcodinho, (Geopphysics), Miss Febaide Mabel Ebiere, (Banking and Finance) and Miss Guwor Egbedetimi Williams ( Political Science and Publice Administration).

The Management of Benson Idahosa University led the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Peter Ayodele Fayose to the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare 11.

Speaking during the visit, the Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof Ernest Izevbigie, who introduced the principal officers said Governor Fayose came to deliver the convocation lecture of his university, and that the Management of the school felt that would not be complete without a visit to the renowned monarch.

The Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II who received the delegation charged Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State to eschew conflicts and embrace peace for the overall interest of the State and the country at large.

He noted that no meaningful development could take place in a rancorous atmosphere.

The Monarch, who stressed that all hands must be on deck in the ongoing battle against the economic woes currently bedeviling the country, gave assurances of royal advise and support to the Governor.

“‎The indefatigable Governor of Ekiti State, I welcome you heartily and warmly to the palace. I want to commend those who escorted you here and made the visit possible. You spoke and confirm my observations that you are a leader.”

“We thank God for having you here today and coming to deliver the lecture at BIU. We have been following some of your political wars. We are in support of resolving conflicts peacefully, and we always pray for peace and we strive for it in Benin here,” he said

“I want to reassure you that this palace is your home and you can come officially and privately. We can then have confidential discussions and exchange ideas,” Oba Ewuare II assured Fayose.

He also informed his visitor that he has scheduled a nation-wide post coronation tour, with a view to strengthening the relationship with, and ensure peace among the various ethnic and different cultural groups in the country.

“I am about to embark on post coronation nationwide tour and we will visit The Presidency first and Ekiti is one of our points of call.

“I salute your commitment to democracy and good governance out there and we say keep on doing the good work in spite of the adversities being faced,” the Monarch said.

Governor Fayose, told Oba Ewuare II that he was at the palace to seek royal advise and blessings ahead of the 10th Convocation Lecture of Benson Idahosa University, holding on Friday.

“I came in the name of the people of my State and I felt it would only make sense if I pay courtesy visit to you Sir, before going to BIU for the lecture.”

“You are a man of this generation and your support and advice would be invaluable, Ekiti is a stone’s throw away to Benin. The Ewi of Ado-Ekiti has close affinity with this palace. We would expect you in our State,” he said.

Also at the visit were the Council Chairman, Engr. Goddie Isibor, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia, The Dean of Postgraduate School, Prof. Bamidele Sanni, Dean of Arts and Education, Prof. Innocent Umejisi, and the Deputy Registrar (Admission), Mr. McDonald Uwaifo.

60 out of the 721 graduating students have bagged First Class degrees at the completion of their studies for the 2016/2017 academic session.

The Vice chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, announced this at a pre-convocation world press briefing for the institution’s 13^th convocation ceremonies.

Prof Izevbigie stated that 144 students got Second Class upper division, 364 bagged lower divisions while 38 graduands would receive third class degrees.

He said that 115 higher degrees would also be awarded as Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Ayodele Fayose, would deliver the institution’s convocation lecture.

He added that an honorary degree would be conferred on the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Ikenwoli 1 and Engr. Emmanuel Egbagbe.

The Vice Chancellor emphasized that the university had continued to demonstrate capacity in research and learning‎, disclosed that work was in progress at its permanent site in Okha in order to expand its scope.

According to him, the graduating students, nicknamed the “Titans,” had been trained in line with the vision of the university to produce global leaders.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia, however condemned reports that the institution has increased its tuition fees to about N1m stating that there was no reason for the increase.

“Reports about increase of tuition fees in the institution is untrue. We have not raised any of our fees. We are here to serve the students. The economy is in recession. We do not think this is the time to raise tuition fees.” he said

This is to inform all members of staff and students that the 13^th Convocation Ceremonies has been scheduled to hold as follows:

1. Final Year Clearance(Bursary, Library, Department, Faculty, SLD, etc.) – Monday , July 3rd – Thursday 6th, 2017.

2. Press Briefing by the Vice Chancellor – Monday, July 3rd, 2017.

3. Roll Call for all graduating students(Faculty by Faculty) – Friday, July 7th, 2017.

4. Convocation Service – Friday, July 7th, 2017.

5. Rehearsals for all graduating students – Friday 7th, 2017.

6. Convocation Lecture – Friday 7th, 2017.

7 Convocation Day Proper (All graduating students to be seated) – Saturday July 8th, 2017.

Please note that it is mandatory for all members of staff to attend all the activities stated above.

Thank you for your cooperation to make the convocation ceremonies a success.

God bless you.

The Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr. Ayodele Fayose will on Friday, July 7^th, deliver the 2017 Benson Idahosa University Convocation Lecture.

This was made known in a statement signed by Mr. Temi Esonamunjor, the Acting Head, Communications and Brand Strategy Unit, Benson Idahosa University.

“We have officially received a positive response from the Ekiti State Government of the acceptance of the Governor, Dr. Ayodele Fayose to be the Guest Lecturer at our 13^th Annual Convocation. Our University is known for creating an interactive platform with some of the brilliant and reputable icons in Nigeria. Our desire is to create an atmosphere  for our students to interact with such great minds, which would serve as inspiration to their belief that they can effectively participate to change Nigeria, which is our core purpose as an institution.”

The Convocation Lecture is coming after similar ones earlier delivered by some distinguished Nigerians, including Former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Former Governor of Edo State, Chief Adams Oshiomole, and Chairman Global Fleet Group, Jimoh Ibrahim.

The lecture, scheduled to hold at the main auditorium of the University, will start with a pre-convocation Church service by 9.30am on Friday July 7^th, 2017,

The highlight of the 2016/2017 convocation will be the awarding of Higher Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and First Degrees Certificates to graduating students, as well as the conferment of Honorary Award on the 20^th Olu of Warri, HRM Ogiame Ikenwoli 1.