The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie has officially inaugurated the Governing Board of Benson Idahosa University Open Distance Learning School (BIUODLS). The historic inauguration took place at the Senate Chambers, on Thursday, January 18, 2018.

The Vice Chancellor who doubles as the Chairman of the Board commended the members for their willingness to serve, urging them to give their best.

Prof. Izevbigie assured the Board, of the total support of the Management, Senate, Governing Council and the entire University Community.

Members of the Governing Board include: Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, Prof. Sam Guobadia, Mr. Gladday Igweagbara, Mrs. Grace Sanni, Mr. M.J Okagbare, Prof. Bayo Okunade, Prof. Abiodun Falodun, Prof. A.R Anao, Prof. McDonald Idu, Dr. Mark Ighile, Sir D.E Ezekwere, Dr. Gary Whetstone, Ron Godwin, Mr. Henry Okunola and Mr. F.G Orhuwere.

In a bid to enhance the leadership skills of Departmental Student Presidents in the University, the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa has launched the first ever ‘Presidents Club’ in the University.

Speaking during the launching, the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa said the main objective of the club is to mentor these student leaders on how to lead their followers effectively and further instill moral and ethical values in them.

He said: “Mentorship for you personally is one of the major reasons for this club; then mentorship on how to lead. We want to mentor you personally so you can be good leaders, and also mentor you on how to groom good leaders with moral values.”

According to him, leadership goes beyond training just one generation.

“Leadership is always thinking generationally, I don’t want to raise leaders for one generation but for three generations. After our monthly interaction, I want you to teach somebody, who will teach another person. So if I am working with you, then I expect that you will teach two generations.”

“The club is a leadership mentoring platform for these young men and women as part of our deliberate thrust to raise better leaders for this nation.”

The President noted that the Presidents Club is not to replace the Resident Advisor (RA) system of the University but a club to help the students become better individuals and learn about value based leadership.

The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobadia disclosed that the establishment of the club is line with training leaders who would lead the change.

Prof. Guobadia noted that putting group of students together who would constantly liaise and find out what is going on in the various associations is something that is very close to his heart.

“When I heard of this launch, I saw a hierarchical structure in my head, where we have the Proprietorship of the University, and then we have the Council and the Management team. At the other level, we have the structure or group of students we can reach out to, in other to know what is happening.”

“This Club will benefit every one of you because when you find yourself in a group like this; it is a chance for you to develop your leadership skills and social skills and most importantly, life skills. Remember, to be a great leader, one has to exhibit certain qualities. These qualities can be learnt at home, in schools or in a forum like this,” he added.

The Presidents Club is poised to bring about a paradigm shift in students approach to becoming leaders which would help them in their future endeavours.

Four of our alumni, Mrs. Osayuki Aiyanyo, Mrs. Osarunwese Irabor, Ms. Imoedemhe Tessy Oshione and Ms. Ivie Akhere have been appointed into the Edo State Judiciary as magistrate judges.

On behalf of the Governing Council, Management, Senate, Staff and Students, we say, congratulations.

Benson Idahosa University  has emerged champions again at the just concluded seventh edition of the Nigeria Private Universities Games Association (NPUGA), after topping the overall medals table with 38 gold medals, 9 silver medals and 6 bronze medals.

BIU, the defending champion defeated 25 other private Universities which included, Afe Babalola University, Igbinedion University, Lead City University, Babcock University, Elizade University, and American University amongst others to emerge winners for the 7th time in 14 years of the sporting festival.

During the biennial sport fiesta that took place from December 9th to 20th  at the Nile University of Nigeria, Abuja, Team BIU participated in Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Scrabble and Swimming where they proved their superiority respectively.

The Sports Coordinator, Mrs. Eunice Adebayo-James, commended the organizers stating that games have helped discover talents who could be prepared for national and international sport events.

She attributed her team’s performance to God and the unflinching support from the Management of the institution.

“We dedicate this victory to the God of Archbishop Benson Idahosa who laid the foundation of this university. I also dedicate it to the President of Benson Idahosa University, F.E.B. Idahosa who has always supported our sporting activities through his words of encouragement and prayers.”

She further thanked the Director of Campus life, Rev. Laurie Idahosa for her unrelenting encouragement to sports.

One of the team members, Oduni Evans who spoke on behalf of others said it was a worthy experience to participate in the games as it will serve as a leap of greatness to continually perform exceptionally. He thanked the University for giving him the opportunity to represent them at the national level.

She solicited that the government should support the games as it would help in the development of sports men and women.

Meanwhile, Team Afe Babalola came second with 14 gold, 20 silver, and 12 bronze medals, while Igbinedion University finished third with 10 gold, 13 silver, and 16 bronze medals.

Lead University gathered 7 gold, 5 silver and 8 bronze medals to place fourth position, while Redeemers University were in fifth position with 5 gold, 11 silver and 9 bronze medals. The host university, Nile University, finished with 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.