Benson Idahosa University gets new Pro-Chancellor
The Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Archbishop Margaret E. Benson-Idahosa JP, OON, has inaugurated the 3rd Governing Council of the university which is to be led by Prof. Patrick Okedinachi Utomi.
Speaking at the inauguration, Archbishop Margaret Benson-Idahosa, charged the new council members to work with members of the university’s management team to achieve the mandate and goals of the founder, the late Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa.
She said: “As a developing university, there will be the need of efficient and intentional mobilization of the much needed resources to grow infrastructures and programmes. More than any other group of officers, you have the unique responsibility like the founding father of this great university, Archbishop Benson Idahosa to lead this effort.”
Archbishop Margaret Idahosa who expressed her joy urged the new council members to work together to take the university to the next level.
“I do not think there is a better team to get the job done for us at this time. We trust you, we have confidence in you and we believe that your coming in at this time is divinely arranged by God that you will be able to work together and take this university to the next level,” she added.
Responding, the new Pro- Chancellor, Pat Utomi pledged to reach out and work with all stakeholders of the institution to achieve the vision of its founder. He thanked the Chancellor for the confidence she has placed on him, promising that the challenge of the new council will be to truly make the university world class.
The Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Professor Sam Guobadia, appreciated Margaret Benson-Idahosa for her support for the set goals and efforts at realising the founder’s vision.
The Pro – Chancellor and Chairman of the 3rd Governing Council of the University, Pat Utomi is a Nigerian professor of Social and Political Economy Environment of Business. He is the founder of Centre for Value in Leadership and has served in senior positions in government including Special Assistant to Former President, Shehu Shagari.
He is widely traveled through all the continents of the world and has received several awards of excellence, certificates of honour and Plaques in recognition of his outstanding contributions to knowledge.
Members of the new Governing Council are; Rt. Rev. Dr. Matthew Okpebholo (Vice Chairman), Rt. Rev. John Bienose, Captain Hosa Wells Okunbo, Honourable Matt. Aikhionbare, Rev. Peter Obadan, Ms. Ruth Idahosa Howard, Mrs Ukinebo Omorowa Dare, Rev. Prof. John Okhuoya and Mrs. Imor Okundaye.
Within a few months of his return to Nigeria from Bloomington, Indiana, United States, Pat got enlisted by then former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme to provide consultancy services on some public policy papers. Dr. Utomi has also previously occupied the position of Chief Operating Officer for Volkswagen of Nigeria Limited (1983 – 1993) and Director-Applied Economics Centre at Lagos Business School.
The new Benson Idahosa University Governing Council Chairman is active on the International speaking circuit, especially on the subjects of Growth economics, comparative development, Leadership, the Curse of Oil and China’s Economic surge and growing influence in Africa. He has collaborated fairly frequently with the center for strategic and international studies (CSIS) in Washington, and Chatham House, in the UK. He has also written commissioned papers for the UKs DFID including the latest collaboration with Colleagues from Oxford on the Political Economy of growth in Nigeria.
Utomi was a presidential candidate in 2007 and 2011 on the platform of African Democratic Congress.
CHANCELLOR COMMISSIONS LEGACY CAMPUS, COMMENDS STAFF MEMBERS
The Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Most Revd. (Dr.) Margaret Benson Idahosa, on Tuesday January 14, 2020 commissioned the University’s Okha Campus named “Legacy Campus.”
Commissioning the project, she expressed joy and satisfaction at the quality of work done and the readiness of the campus for use. She expressed her gratitude to God almighty and members of staff for keeping the vision of the founder, Archbishop Benson Andrew Idahosa, alive.
Archbishop Margaret Idahosa commended the President of Benson Idahosa University, Bishop F.E.B. Idahosa and the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia for the numerous developmental projects in the University which have positioned the institution to be among the best in the country, and beyond, praying God to continue to grant them and the University Management team the strength and wisdom to sustain the tempo of achievements.
She said: “I am glad to be here today, i want to thank all the members of staff, all of you that are here, knitted together with the President, Vice Chancellor, and myself to see that the vision of Archbishop Benson Idahosa of blessed memory is not lost. I want to thank the students, and my love also goes to your parents that have placed huge confidence in us.”
She expressed optimism that the ultra-modern campus would go a long way in enhancing academic activities and the global competitiveness of the university, urging staff members not to relent in their efforts to make the university one of the best in the world.
On his part, the Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobadia, thanked the Chancellor for her support in all areas and for finding time to commission the beautiful campus. He further extolled the leadership qualities, wealth of knowledge, and hard work of the Chancellor in Ministry, the university and the nation at large.
Prof. Guobadia reiterated his determination to re-position the University by providing adequate infrastructure and facilities that would support teaching and research activities in the University.
Present at the commissioning were the Principal Officers of the University, Deans, Directors and students.
BIU HOLDS ITS 8TH INAUGURAL LECTURE
“Microbes; The Good, The bad and the Fascinating: Man the Effective Manager”, that was the topic of 8th Inaugural Lecture delivered by Prof. Clara Leyibo Igeleke at the main Auditorium of the University.
Delivering her lecture, Prof. Igeleke brought to bear the fact that microbes are not all bad. According to her, they are ubiquitous, being everywhere, living on man, animals, plants, the environment and inanimate object.
She mentioned that Microbes form part of the ecological diversity of the ecosystem, the good, the bad and the fascinating.
She said: “Humans cannot live without microbes, but with knowledge, they can be effectively managed and exploited to the benefit of man in diverse spheres such as agriculture, medicine, biotechnology, environmental cleaning, oil spillage clean-up, food sources and supplements.”
The University don during the lecture made some recommendations which include that Nigerians should make concerted efforts to keep their environments clean in order to avoid being overwhelmed by microbes. She also advocated that State and Local Governments should provide proper storage facilities for farmers to enhance prolonged storage of agricultural products, which would ensure agricultural food supply all year round for Nigerian citizens
At the Federal Government level, the Professor of Phytopathohgenic Microbiology advised that the Federal Government should include private universities on the list of beneficiaries of financial assistance and aids to enhance meaningful researches.
In his address, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia, informed the audience on the recent happenings in the campuses. He congratulated the inaugural lecturer, noting that inaugural lectures were avenues through which scholars educate the public about their various achievements in research and learning.
He thanked Prof. Igeleke for delivering the 8th inaugural lecture of the University which he described as important and thoughtful.
Concluding the lecture, the inaugural lecturer was decorated with an inaugural lecture medal.
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Benson Idahosa University signs Mutual cooperation agreement with ICAN
Benson Idahosa University and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), on Wednesday, October 30, 2019, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) under the ICAN Mutual Cooperation Agreement with Tertiary Institutions (MCATI), which exempts undergraduate Accountancy students of Benson Idahosa University from 11 subjects of ICAN’s professional examination.
According to the ICAN President, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuadigbo, the ICAN MCATI’s is aimed at deepening the standards of learning and dissemination of knowledge of accounting in Nigerian tertiary institutions.
He said, “I encourage you to continue to raise the standards higher as we all collectively work at strengthening the human capital base in our country. Undoubtedly, today’s event is an endorsement of the quality of your institutions’ accounting education.”
“Accounting graduated from your institutions will now study using the integrated ICAN/NUC/NBTE approved accounting curriculum. Your accounting graduates will now be granted 11 subject exemptions as against seven subjects’ exemption under the normal ICAN accreditation scheme.”
Okwuadigbo added that the offer represents full exemptions from Foundation and Skills levels of ICAN Professional Examinations.
It will be recalled that in 2018, the MCATI committee, led by Chief Oye Akinsulire paid a visit to the university to assess the dissemination of accounting knowledge to students and to improve their accounting experience and competency
Reacting to the news, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Sam Guobadia in his remarks described the feat as a welcome development as the University has continued to demonstrate capacity in learning.
Prof. Guobadia who expressed delight in the new partnership, acknowledged the professionalism that ICAN has been identified with over time, re-iterating that the institute should not relent in its pivotal role in national development. He added that the institution would fulfill its part of the agreement as it is not only training the students in academics but also professional competence.
At the meeting were the Registrar, Dr. Michael Okagbare; Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Professor Johnson Oyedeji and The Acting Head, Department of Accounting, Dr. S.N Ugbogbo.
BIU partners with CIBN, receives accreditation certificate
The Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Benson Idahosa University and seven other institutions of higher learning.
The event, which took place on Friday, August 23, 2019 at the headquarters of the Institute in Lagos, will ensure the placement of students from Benson Idahosa on a better pedestal in securing jobs upon graduation.
The MoU will see to the commencement of activities towards making Benson Idahosa University students enjoy automatic exemption from certain subjects upon graduation to become Associate Members of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (ACIB).
The CIBN also presented Certificate of Accreditation to Benson Idahosa University on linkage agreement with the institute.
Other tertiary institutions that were presented with the Certificate of Accreditation are: Adekunle Ajasin University, Abraham Adesanya Polytechnic, Ambrose Alli University, Federal University of Agriculture, Gombe State University, Igbinedion University, and Yusuf Maitama Sule University.
The President, CIBN, Dr. Uche Olowu, while presenting the certificates to the representatives of the universities, said the accreditations and the linkage agreements were part of the institute’s effort to enhance professionalism in the banking industry.
He said the institutions had undergone rigorous processes and scored above the minimum threshold on all the parameters of measurement.
He stressed that apart from addressing competency challenges, the accreditation exercise was to enthrone a minimum standard for practitioners in the industry. He added, “This accreditation carries a definite tenure. Subsequent renewal would depend on the level of performance and the extent to which parties keep faith with the provisions of the Agreement.”
In his remarks, the Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Professor Sam Guobadia, said it is a remarkable feat worth celebrating. According to him, the accreditation is in line with the university’s vision to become a world class university.
Present as part of the University’s entourage to the signing ceremony were the Registrar, Dr. M.J Okagbare, and the Head of Department, Banking and Finance, Dr. L.N Aisien.
Benson Idahosa University to graduate 741 students
Forty three (43) students of Benson Idahosa University will be graduating with First Class Honours among 741 students as the university holds its 15th convocation ceremonies.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof Sam Guobadia, made this disclosure during a press briefing.
He said 741 students will be graduating this year. 593 with baccalaureate degrees and 148 with Post graduate degrees. The Vice Chancellor mentioned that a total of 190 students finished with Second class Honours (Upper Division); 330 students with Second Class Honours (Lower Division), while 30 students will be graduating with the Third Class Honours.
He said that activities lined up for the two-day event include a convocation service scheduled for Friday, September 13th where Bishop Basil C. Edohansim, the Bishop of Aba Bishopric, CGMI will be ministering.
According to him, Prof. Julius A. Okojie, OON, will deliver the Convocation Lecture titled “The Nigerian university system in contempt of established academic traditions: implications for quality assurance”.
The University Don further disclosed that the University will mint her first sets of Emeritus Professors in the persons of Prof. Philip A. Igbafe – Professor of History and Prof. Abhulimen R. Anao-Professor of Accounting. Also, an Honorary Doctorate degree in Business Administration (honoris causa) will be awarded to Rt. Rev. Matthew Okpebholo, JP, for his business prowess and contribution to humanity.
Prof. Guobadia also disclosed that the University is therefore certified to run the Nursing and Medical Laboratory Sciences programs beginning from this school year.
Speaking further, the Vice Chancellor expressed gratitude on behalf of the entire university community to the Chancellor for helping the university realize the goals of its founding father.
He said: “I want to appreciate the Chancellor of this great institution, Archbishop (Dr.) Margaret Benson-Idahosa, JP, OON for her immense support for our goals and realising the vision of our founding Chancellor/President, Archbishop Benson Idahosa of blessed memory”