Archives for the Year: 2017
The 67th birthday celebration of the Managing Director, Ray Royal Construction Company, Bishop (Dr.) Matthew Okpebholo was graced by the University Management, led by the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie.
Delivering his goodwill message, the Vice Chancellor said the pastor at Church of God Mission Intl (CGMi), is a philanthropist who is always ready to champion the cause of his people.
Showering encomiums on the celebrant, Prof. Izevbigie described him as a very resourceful, energetic, dynamic, compassionate, and vibrant individual who has given back to his community.
“He is a man with great balance from his birth, so this is a celebration of God’s goodness in his life,” he added.
The Deputy Governor of Edo State, Comrade Phillips Shaibu also graced the event.
Congratulations Sir!
Executives from one of the biggest print media outfits in the country, The Punch (Nig.) Limited, recently paid a courtesy visit to the Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie. During the courtesy visit, the Assistant Advert Manager, Punch Nigeria Limited, Mrs. Patience Andrew-Ofishe, donated three books to the University.
Mrs. Patience Andrew-Ofishe who was accompanied by the Edo State correspondent, Okere Alexander, said the donation was part of the organisation’s Corporate Social Responsibilities.
She mentioned that the books were a compilation of articles published in The Punch and that the contents would help students to be self-reliant rather than looking for jobs after graduationAccording to her, the three books titled: “Building Entrepreneurial Skills”, “Job Hunting and Career Success” and “Managing A Successful Small Scale Business” are new publications of the Punch Nigeria Limited.
She further mentioned that the textbooks will help support in research works, teaching, and will also boost the spirit of entrepreneurship in students.
“We believe graduates should not be seeking employment but start something on their own.” She said.
Receiving the books on Job hunting, Career success and Entrepreneurship Studies, the Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof Izevbigie, thanked the The Punch Newspapers for a social service well executed adding that the University will continue to collaborate with them to aid development.
Benson Idahosa University recently emerged top private university at the 25th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games, which was held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue. Benson Idahosa University was the only private university that participated at the NUGA Games with a total of 47 athletes, 8 coaches and 5 officials. Out of the 16 NUGA events, Team BIU participated in 7 events namely; Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball.
According to records by the NUGA secretariat in Makurdi, a total of 57 universities competed for medals at the sports fiesta and amidst stiff competition, Team BIU emerged second runner-up with 10 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze medals.
Benson Idahosa University proved its superiority by defeating 55 state and federal universities, which included, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria (UNN), University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), University of Calabar (UNICAL), University of Jos (UNIJOS), and University of Ilorin. However, Benson Idahosa University won 8 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals in swimming, while in tennis (male single and female single) they garnered 1 gold and 1 bronze medal respectively.
Also, the students established their supremacy in badminton, by winning 2 bronze medals with an additional gold and silver in chess. Two of our athletes, Amukali Evans and Mohammed Lawal, won Most Valuable Player awards in swimming and tennis respectively. It will also be recalled that in 2011, Benson Idahosa University emerged second runner- up in the West Africa University Games held at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria.
Expressing her gratitude to the University Management, the Director of Sports who led and supervised the team from Benson Idahosa University, Mrs. Eunice Adebayo-James, attributed her team’s brilliant performance to God, and to the athletes’ gross discipline. “We came this far because my players performed according to the laid down instructions given to them, hence, God crowned our efforts. I want to appreciate the University Management for their unrelenting encouragement to sports and on behalf of the Sports Unit, we promise to continually strive to achieve greater feats in future competitions,” she said.
The Most Valuable Player (MVP) in swimming, Amukali Evans, said the team prepared adequately for the competition. “I feel very excited and great. We trained very hard and our Director of Sports took very good care of us,” he said. He explained that they passed through a lot of difficulties before and during the competitions. “However, that notwithstanding, we are all happy with the turnout of events,” he added.
Meanwhile, the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), garnered 70 gold, 47 silver and 33 bronze medals to win the 25th NUGA Games. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), came second with 11 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.
Governor Godwin Obaseki has appointed the Librarian of Benson Idahosa University, Mrs. Grace Sanni, as the head of the Edo State Library Joint Revival Implementation Committee. The inauguration is in line with the Governor’s promise to revamp the State’s library system.
Tasking the committee members at the Edo State Government House in Benin City, where he inaugurated the committee, the Governor reiterated that his administration is poised to revamp public libraries and key into e-library services, which was the contemporary international standard.
On the management of the Committee, Governor Obaseki disclosed that the Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, would coordinate it, while the members would submit a report on the terms of reference within a four-week period.
Speaking at the inauguration, the Committee head, Mrs. Grace Sanni, commended the Governor for his interest in upgrading the State’s library to world standards, noting that constituting the board was a step in the right direction. She said members would adhere to the terms of reference given to them adding that a good library would facilitate an informed society, which would also promote development.
Mrs. Sanni is to head the committee in reviving the state of public libraries in the State, recommending ways of reviving reading culture among students and youths, suggesting possible public private partnerships in the library sector, maintaining library infrastructures across the state, suggesting the best ways of archiving government books, documents and historical materials, considering e-learning opportunities in the library sector, and helping to establish and manage a public library in the state’s government house.
Admission into Benson Idahosa University is strictly managed by the Educational Services Unit headed by Mr. McDonald Uwaifo and the Liaison Officers.
All academic programmes offered by the University are displayed on the University’s website( www.biu.edu.ng), admission brochure, and all our social media platforms.
We therefore advice the general public to take note.
The 20th Olu of Warri, HRM, Ogiame Ikenwoli I, is one of the eminent Nigerians to receive Benson Idahosa University (BIU) honorary doctorate degree in the forthcoming University convocation ceremony, set to hold on the 8th of July, 2017.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobadia disclosed during a courtesy visit to the Olu’s Palace in Warri, Delta State.
According to Prof. Guobadia who led the University Management delegation, he said they came to convey the endorsement of the University Governing Council on Management’s recommendation that the Olu of Warri be honoured with the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity.
“As a community we know you deserve this significant award because of your resourcefulness which the throne is widely known for.”
You are the 20th Olu of Warri; you are a child of God, a man of peace and a widely acknowledged bridge builder that has led his people well which ”
Speaking during the visit, the Olu said, it is a great honour to him to be recognized by the University and deemed fit.
“I am indeed elated with this offer and promise to be there on the proposed date with my entourage.”
He mentioned that he is always very happy to associate himself with the University Chancellor, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa.
“To me, this is family affair as I am a deeply involved member of the church. I am here to identify with you. Feel free to call for my assistance and whatever that is within me to do or give, I will do.” he said
He further thanked the University Management for honouring him with their presence and wished them a safe return back home.
The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, has faulted the clarification by the Federal Government that Fanta and Sprite beverages manufactured in Nigeria by the Nigeria Bottling Company were safe for consumption.
It will be recalled that a Lagos High Court ordered the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control to compel the NBC to include a written warning that the drinks could not be consumed with Vitamin C.
The Federal Ministry of health had on March 18, 2017, declared that the products were healthy for consumers, having conducted a routine inspection in 2016, through the National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control, at NBC, which it said turned out satisfactory.
It had, however, directed the company and other bottling companies to include the advisory warning on their products to protect the health of Nigerians.
But the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Prof. Ernest Izevbigie, who spoke at a press briefing, said that the position of the government fell short of addressing the safety concerns raised by the court.
Prof. Izevbigie stated that the Federal Government was silent on the usage of the colourant, sunset yellow, which he said had no nutritional value and also belonged to a chemical class of azo dye, that could be toxic to different cells in the human body and create problems.
He explained, “Although azo dyes do not occur in nature, they are metabolizable due to the presence of azoreductase enzymes in the body, which reduce the azo group to produce two compounds with amino groups.
“Scientific literature shows that sunset yellow is implicated in cytotoxicity, carcinogenesis, allergies and hyperactivity in three to nine-year-old children.”
The professor of biology and biochemistry also said that benzoic acid, a microbial preservative contained in the drinks, were almost twice the amount used in neighbouring Ghana and could be converted to benzene, “a known compound that causes cancer”.
According to him, the essence of the advisory warning recommended by the Federal Ministry of Health was already defeated, since Fanta and Sprite contained Vitamin C in the form of Ascorbic acid.
He said, “You are telling me not to take these products with Vitamin C but you already have Vitamin C in it. It seems to me that the purpose of the advisory warning is already defeated.”
He, therefore, urged NAFDAC to live up to its responsibility in scientific research and regulation, adding that the issue of human safety must override profit.
“There should be a reduction of benzoic acid or sodium benzoate concentration to below 150 milligrams per kilogramme, as recommended by the World Health Organisation and is obtainable in the UK that has a low temperature than Nigeria and Ghana which has the same climatic condition as Nigeria” he said.
“Vitamin C should be removed as an ingredient in Fanta due to concerns raised from benzene toxicity; the use of natural dye could be considered, for example, beta-carotene, as is done for the NBC product, 5 Alive Pulpy Orange.”
Announces the
3rd International conference and scientific exhibition
‘OWSD-BIU 2017’
THEME: “Translating Research into Development: The Role of Women in Science.
DATE: 31st JULY – 3rd AUGUST 2017.
VENUE: Benson Idahosa University, Benin City, Edo State Nigeria
The Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University (BIU), Benin City, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa, on Thursday commissioned a 1 Kilometer dual carriage road that is being constructed and donated by the Managing Director of Ray Royal Construction Company, Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Matthew Okpebholo, at the legacy campus of the University in Okha, Benin City.
Speaking at the flag off, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa commended the philanthropic gesture demonstrated by Okpebholo, describing him as a humble and godly man whom the University will continue to hold in high esteem. The visitor to the University, expressed her delight at the spate of work at the permanent site of the University at Okha. She commended the University Management, staff and students for the developmental strides of the Institution and steadfastness on the part of staff for making the Church of God Mission Intl proud.
Cutting the ribbon, the Chancellor appealed to other well-meaning individuals to emulate the kind gesture of Rev. Okpebholo, while praying that Benson Idahosa University will continue to sour higher and live up to her expectations.
According to Rt. Rev. (Dr.) Matthew Okpebholo, who is a pastor at Church of God Mission International (CGMi), the road, which will cost him about N300 million, is expected to be completed in 2017 and maintained by him for 25 years.
The philanthropist, who had in the past donated building to the University of Benin, road to Samuel Adegboyega University, mentioned that generosity was a way of life for him because he wants to be remembered for his good deeds.
“No individual can do what we are seeing now if God is not involved as it is Government that builds road for citizen” he said.
Okpebholo, who said the road will be constructed with kerbs and walkways, disclosed that road construction in the country is expensive; hence the need for philanthropists to assist in such project is needed.
Earlier in his welcome remarks, the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa said that the flag off is the beginning of great things to happen this year.
“We are here to mark a legacy that started in 1978 and continue the vision of our founder who passed on 19years ago” he said.
“Resources will move to you when you begin to move towards your vision but if you sit still, your vision will sit still, as we moved towards this vision, God sent so many people to sow seed on this campus that is a reality today”
The Chairman of the Governing Council, Engineer Goddie Isibor, disclosed that the University had started moving to its permanent site with the completion of the Faculty of Engineering, Faculty of Basic and Applied Sciences, recreational facilities, as well as the hostels. He noted that the Institution will commence; Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Energy Engineering, Computer Engineering, Architecture, as well as Sandwich programme for pastors.
Engr. Isibor thanked Bishop Matthew Okpebholo and Pastor Chris Oyakhilome of Christ Embassy Church for their contributions to the development of the Institution. He also used the occasion to thank the President of the Institution for keeping the vision alive, adding that there are more hurdles to be crossed.
After the official flag off, the Chancellor alongside Bishops from Church of God mission Intl were taken on a tour round the legacy campus by Management and the University project team.