The Governing Council has, on the approval of the President, Bishop FEB Idahosa ll, appointed Mr. Vinton –Okoedo Itoya, as the 4^th substantive Registrar of Benson Idahosa University. This is sequel to the interview for the position held on February 11, 2021 and the subsequent ratification by the Governing Council at its 100^th regular meeting, held on Friday, March 12, 2021.

Until his recent appointment, Mr. Itoya was a Deputy Registrar, Project Manager and the Admissions Officer of the university.

The seasoned administrator has also held several administrative positions in the University. He has also headed and served in different committees (ad hoc & standing), such as: University Research and Publications Committee (URPC), Strategic Plan and Action Committee (SPAC), Strategic Plan Implementation Committee (SPIC), University Ceremonials Committee, Programmes Accreditation Committee, etc. to mention but few.

Mr. Itoya was also the Registrar of Benson Idahosa School of Basic and Applied Studies (BISBAS). He is the current Chairman, Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA), BIU chapter.

As Registrar, he is be the Chief Administrative Officer and by virtue of the office the secretary to the Governing Council, Senate, Congregation and Convocation.

The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobadia has enjoined the newly admitted students of the institution to desist from all forms of misconduct and embrace the virtues of Godliness and excellence, in other to excel in their academic pursuit.

Speaking at the Matriculation ceremony, the Vice Chancellor urged the new students to be law abiding and shun any form disobedience towards the school authority.

His words: “Our culture in Benson Idahosa University is built on godliness, good conduct, respect for one another, decent dressing, and discipline. So I urge you to decide from now on – to shun all acts of misconduct or indiscipline; to choose your friends wisely; to take your studies seriously; to make your parents proud; and ultimately to aim for the approval of God.”

He explained that the institution has lived up to expectation since it was established, adding that discipline and academic excellence with Godliness has been the watchwords.

Furthermore, he said the University will continue to focus on its core purpose which is to Change Nigeria. This, he said, would be achieved by instilling the vision and mission of the institution in its students.

Assuring the students of the University’s support and guidance, he further enjoined the students to support the Management in resolving any problem that they may encounter.

He said: “Like all journeys, there are unforeseen circumstances and difficulties on the way. I implore you to be resolute and support the Management to solve any problems you may encounter. This is now your university, your identity, for life. Join hands with me to make Benson Idahosa University an enviable brand which you will be proud to call your alma mater.”

The VC commended the new students and their parents for choosing Benson Idahosa University as the university to pursue their chosen courses, and promised them that the university would give them the best.

In a bid to improve communication and enhance students’ experience within and outside the university campus, Uweh George Chika, a 300 – level Computer Science student has developed a mobile app for the institution.

The ‘’BIU APP’’ will enable students to view relevant information, access their portal, send complaints, read news stories, as well as see events happening on campus.

In an interview with Uweh George, he said with the app, students can access their portal, view school calendar, view school fees schedules, view lecture schedule, process their hostel accommodation, watch instructional videos, see upcoming events, and also read relevant news about the school.

He added that the all-purpose app will also enable students to make complaints to the customer service unit of the university.

In his words: Another beautiful thing about this app is that students can easily send complaints and have it attended to immediately. Also, new students can do their portal registration, as well as watch videos to assist them through their registration processes.

On what motivated him to develop the app, he explained that he enjoys coding and has overtime developed mobile applications; so when he heard the institution needed an app to make things easier for students, he went ahead to develop the app with suggestions from the University.

He thanked the University Management for giving him such an opportunity and for its 21^st century IT-driven stance.

“I want to thank the University Management because their innovative mindset made this dream a reality. In this modern era, it’s necessary to engage people via mobile applications and it takes an innovative thinking management to embrace such,” he said.

George said the App was designed to be user-friendly, fast and secure, as users enjoy the numerous services available without hindrance. The app is available on Google Play Store

After eight months away from campus, we are so excited to have our students back on campus, beaming with smiles and excitement, student across all levels and faculties resumed to beehive of activities.

The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia, on Monday, November 9, addressed students on both campuses about the university’s plans for this new academic session.

He said: “We thank God to a large extent that we are able to resume physically, this new school year. So on behalf of the Chancellor of the University, the President, the Council, Management and staff of Benson Idahosa University, we welcome you back to school this new academic session.”

Ensuring that the students are safe on campus, the university has set up preventive measures across entrances, buildings and hostels on campus

Conference registration commenced on Tuesday, November 10, 2020 for new students and classes for returning students.

He said: “We now have a new culture in the university, we call it blended learning culture, we are insisting and it’s not optional. The lecturers will be engaging you physically every week, there will also be class times that will be organised as virtual lectures.”

In this interview with the Communications and Brand Strategy Unit (CBSU), the Coordinator, Student Leadership and Life Success Centre (LSC), Mr. Alex Osagie says that entrepreneurial skills aren’t just a must for students but for everyone in the business of life.

Excerpts:

Our students just finished their exams, what are the ways you think they can develop themselves?

First, congratulations to our students on the successful completion of their exams. It must have been a different and unique experience for them writing exams online, which attests to the fact that things have changed (not changing). Now that they have free time, they can develop themselves in three simple areas, which are commitment to learn, discipline to practice and humility of service.

Commitment to learn: They should engage in reading, watching educational movies, engaging in productive and meaningful conversations and following the right models on social media. All these are part of the learning process.

Discipline to practice: The juice of learning is practice. So as they learn, they should inculcate the discipline of practicing all they learn.

Humility of service: Volunteering gives access to opportunities like nothing else. The humility of service helps in who you are becoming as you serve others.

With happenings in the country, do you sincerely believe the youths are the leaders of tomorrow?

Youths were never the leaders of tomorrow, youths are the leaders of today. I recommend that young people take responsibility for their lives and not wait for the government. You have the power to change the results and outcome of your life, so why not change things instead of waiting to be given opportunity to lead. If every young person takes up the challenge to lead themselves, they will be able to stand up for their rights instead of being used as pawns in the hands of bad leadership.

What is your philosophy of leadership?

My philosophy of leadership is simple, “lead by example”. One must become the change that you wish to see.

Are entrepreneurship skills a must have for students?

Entrepreneurial skills isn’t just a must for students, it is a must for everyone. In today’s world of work especially in third world countries where the take home pay doesn’t take anyone home, the option to be an entrepreneur is non-negotiable. For students it is necessary because it can help them have options and choices for the life they want to live. If COVID didn’t teach any lesson, it taught salary earners a big lesson that will never be forgotten, but for the entrepreneur, he has his destiny in his own hands.

So if you are a student in school or a student at life, you must equip yourself with entrepreneurial skills. Even if you want to be a full career person, there are basic entrepreneurial skills you will need to possess, like selling skills, presentation/public speaking skills, budgeting skills, planning and execution skills etc. In the business of life, it is skills that pay bills.