MOUAU 10th Convocation: We’re Committed To Developing
Environment, People-sensitive Technology- VC Maduebibisi
…Read Full Speech

MOUAU 10th Convocation: We’re Committed To Developing
Environment, People-sensitive Technology- VC Maduebibisi
…Read Full Speech

The 6th Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Nigeria, Umudike, Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe
has reiterated that his adminstration is bent on actualising the core values of the University, hence ensuring the development of environment and people-sensitive technology, in order to ensure the well-being of farmers.

Prof. Maduebibisi gave this assurance today, Wednesday, during the pre-convocation ceremony of MOUAU, at the University’s conference room, pointing out that provision of knowledge, food and security is the bedrock of the University.

The 6th Vice Chancellor of the world class University maintained that the efforts of the present administration, evident in her mind blowing results were borne out of his vision for “and vista of the University which “embrace that of a knowledge-giving, society-conscious-and-satisfying world-class University.

“That actually is the center of our vision as a University, to provide a technology that could be adopted by farmers outside of this state. That’s why we have a Centre here that we call the extension Centre and what we do here is that all new technologies, adopted Technologies that we have are made available to people outside of the University”

Below is the Full Speech

MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUDIKEA PRESS BRIEFING BY THE VICE-CHANCELLOR, MICHAEL OKPARA UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE, UMUDIKE, PROFESSOR MADUEBIBISI OFO IWE ON THE OCCASION OF THE 10TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY OF THE UNIVERSITY

INTRODUCTION

Good afternoon members of the University Management team, Gentlemen of the Press, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen. Our last meeting was on the occasion of my 100 days in office, where I briefed you on what my administration has achieved since I assumed office as the 6th Vice-Chancellor of this great citadel of learning on March 1, 2021. I am delighted to see you again as we gear up to celebrate our 10th Convocation (the first since I assumed office as Vice-Chancellor). It is my pleasure to let you know that it is still clear to me where the ship of this administration is headed. Everyday, I remind myself of my commitment to this University and continue to face the direction that I have mapped out for her ultimate advancement.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the efforts of this administration are still driven by my vision for and vista of the University which “embrace that of a knowledge-giving, society-conscious-and-satisfying world-class University; in which competent and committed staff shall consistently produce competent graduates, equipped with entrepreneurial, problem-solving and social skills and capacities; empowered to positively impact humanity through committed engagement in the advancement and utilization of contemporary and relevant knowledge and skills for promoting acceptable behavior in society, excellent decision-making and disciplined habits of leadership and followership.”

Also, this University under my leadership is still guided by 12 core values as follows:

1. Development of environment and people-sensitive technology to enhance wellbeing of farmers
2. Delivery of well tested and technically optimized agricultural production, processing and preservation protocols
3. Diligence and Transparency in action 4. Godly, Disciplined and Excellent in attitude5. Integrated and coordinated agricultural education
4. Knowledge, Food and Security
5. Knowledge to all persons, without discrimination
6. Make Nigeria great, be truthful
7. Patriotic, productive and responsible Community
8. Punctuality and fairness in business
9. Self-sufficient, confident and competent educated farmers
10. Self-sufficiency in food and fibre production for Nigeria.

THE 10TH CONVOCATION CEREMONY

Gentlemen of the Press, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, it is with profound joy that I inform you that on Saturday, the 27th day of November 2021, this great University in its 10th Convocation Ceremony will be graduating a total of Six Thousand Six Hundred and Nine Students (6609) with Four thousand One Hundred and Fourteen (4114) belonging to the 2018/2019 academic year at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Of the Five Thousand Eight Hundred and Fifteen first degree gradaunds, ninety obtained first-class honours, One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy-Five passed with second-class honours (Upper Division), Two Thousand Nine Hundred and Five with second-class honours (Lower Division), One Thousand Two Hundred and Twenty-Six with third-class honours, and Eighteen with pass degree.

Honorary Degrees:
At the forthcoming convocation ceremony, the University will confer four distinguished Nigerians with the honorary degrees of this University. For us, the conferment of honorary degrees is a recognition and honour to accomplished persons that truly deserve them. It is an honour we expect should stimulate the recipients to partner more closely with our University and cause their success stories to rub off on the development of Agriculture, Science and Technology in our University.

PROGRESS REPORT
Ladies and Gentlemen permit me to use this opportunity to bring you up to speed with the happenings in the University since our last meeting.

Partnership with NALDA:
A major milestone was achieved on 5th October, 2021 with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the University and the National Agricultural Land Development Authority (NALDA). The land clearing commenced last week. With this partnership, the University intends to engage in the development and maximum use of about 400ha of land for agricultural research and demonstration purposes. We thank the government agencies partnering with us and assure them that their assistance will be utilized for the good of the nation.

Infrastructure developments:
In the area of infrastructure development, I am also pleased to report that this administration has continued to fast-track the completion and expansion of the College of Agricultural Economics, Rural Sociology and Extension (CAERSE), the College of Physical and Applied Sciences (COLPAS) and the College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management (CNREM) complexes among others. As I speak to you, rehabilitation work is ongoing at the University’s Senator Anyim Pius Anyim Auditorium which is expected to wear a new look in the shortest possible time.

Students’ Welfare:
This administration sees students as the most important resources in the knowledge-transfer industry. They constitute the hub of university life. For these reasons, we have continued to fast-track the processing of students’ Statement of Results and transcripts handling and issuance, with plans to achieve a 100% electronic handling in the shortest possible time. Also, my administration has remained poised in addressing every matter that pertains to the discipline and welfare of students. My administration has zero tolerance for indiscipline, cultism and related cases. We are still doing our best to provide more modern lecture halls, classrooms and facilities for teaching and learning in a peaceful and serene environment. We have re-introduced the use of intra-campus shuttle transportation which stopped about four years ago.

Staff Welfare:
My administration has continued to extend and strengthen its open-door approach to the staff of the University. The staff can still reach the management easily with their needs and requests. Also, the University has continued to maintain a number of social media platforms – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram to facilitate communication between staff and management of the University.

Information Dissemination:
Since information is vital in this modern time, this administration has revitalized the University’s information dissemination channels, to keep both the internal and external public relating with the University abreast with our administration’s activities. The University’s plethora of online platforms are now active as never before, and do not serve as channel for information dissemination alone but as interactive channels for staff and students to air their views about the policies, plans and projects being undertaken by the University. Our weekly e-newsletter is still very efficient and effective; it has continued to keep the public abreast with the latest happenings in the University, while saving us funds that are being channeled to other pressing needs.

Inaugural and Other Public Lectures:
The University’s Inaugural Lecture series has made remarkable progress as we recently held the 51st just last week Wednesday. All the Professors who have presented their lectures succeeded in making the community relish the idea because of their brilliant presentations. The outputs of the lectures are made public through the media and have become subjects of national discourse.

Possession of Bread and Biscuit Factory:
I am happy to announce that after series of follow-ups, the completed Bread and Biscuit Factory, whose contract was awarded in 2013/2014, shall be handed over to the University today. It is expected that when fully operational, the facility will be useful in the training of students in Food Science and Technology, Agribusiness, as well as in Entrepreneurial studies.

Research and Innovation:
In consonance with its mandate, this University, under my administration, has continued to enthrone a functional, sustainable, excellence-driven and productive research culture, especially in Agriculture, Science, Engineering and Management, to solve societal problems and priority national needs, address global realities and established needs of the University’s catchment area. One of the recent outstanding achievements of this University in research is the exceptional performance of one of us, Prof M.C.O. Ezeibe who received an achievement award for excellent performance at the 2021 Science, Technology and Innovation Expo at Abuja credited to the University. The prize was a special recognition of his work on possible control of COVID-19 and related viral diseases with Medicinal Synthetic Aluminum-Magnesium Silicate.

PROBLEMS CONFRONTING THE UNIVERSITY

Ladies and Gentlemen, the state of the University’s infrastructure and physical facilities belies our collective commitment to produce world-class graduates. Therefore, there is a dire need for a significant infusion of funds for the upgrade of our physical environment, especially when it is realized that this University is among those universities that started without a take-off grant from Government. The location of the University which is rural in setting places a lot of demands on the provision of amenities at very exorbitant costs. Occasionally, there is a problem of access to the University due to bad roads, as we are experiencing currently.

CONCLUSION

Ladies and Gentlemen, this University has a bright future and her potentials are indeed huge. We now stride gloriously towards the positive side of history where we will be remembered for reaching beyond ourselves, to overcome the selfish distractions that tie us down; striving for the things that matter; and digging into the inner recesses of the gifts and talents God has given us to serve and promote the interests of this great University. I reiterate that the efforts of this administration will continue to be hinged on prudent management, fairness, friendship and partnership, physical development, research and innovation, staff and students’ welfare and Information Communication Technology. This administration will also continue to totally depend on God for all its dreams, engagements, programmes and achievements. I once again urge the University to continue to believe in herself and throw the needed weight behind her strides in achieving the goals we have set.

I thank members of the press and all those who found time to be here. I hope to see you again, soon, when we have cause to celebrate greater achievements.

Thank you and God bless you.

Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, CFS
Vice-Chancellor