By Gabriel Chy Alonta
History was made on Friday, July 30, 2021, in Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, when the Faculty of Management Sciences of the institution inaugurated its car wash centre, as well as flagged off ultramodern building with over 60 staff offices.
The event, which took place at the FMS complex, attracted members of the university management, directors, deans of faculties, staff and students of the faculty.
The centre, christened ‘FMS Car Wash Centre’, is the first of its kind in the university, and is aimed at boosting the internally generated revenue (IGR) of the faculty, Orient Daily reports.
Speaking at the occasion, the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Prof. Lilian Obiageli Orogbu, said the gesture was in fulfillment of her promise to solve office space challenge the faculty faces, as well as to improve the IGR of the faculty.
While expressing optimism that the over N130 million ultramodern facilities, that would also house restaurant and mini-hall would be completed in December, the dean disclosed that more projects would soon be unveiled.
According to her, the 2-floor complex will be built in line with the Nigeria University Commission’s (NUC) recommended standard, having other facilities befitting of an institution.
Orogbo, a professor of business administration, commended the university management for their unalloyed support, and thanked the building committee headed by Associate Professor Chinedu Onyeizugbe, for their commitment, prudence and transparency in the project execution. She further thanked benefactors for their financial and moral supports, while urging others who donated towards the project to redeem them.
The Dean then urged the university community to patronise the FMS Car Wash, assuring them of best services at affordable rate.
Also speaking, the university vice-chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, thanked Prof. Orogbu for blazing the trail and setting enviable records within the university, and noted that such projects were in line with his ‘Project 200’ vision.
The vice-chancellor described the dean as phenomenal, who, he said, was dogged and innovative. He assured that his administration would continue to support the faculty, while tasking other faculties to borrow a leaf from the FMS.
Earlier in an address, the Building Committee Chairman, Dr. Onyeizugbe, said the facility would help in solving office accommodation problem in the faculty, as well as provide enabling environment for academic excellence.
Onyeizugbe, who is also the Deputy Director, Unizik Business School, commended Prof. Orogbu, for her prompt intervention in solving the accommodation problem. He disclosed that the Raft Foundation was the contractor executing the project, and noted that they were meticulously selected for their track record.
“We have many lecturers but limited offices, so this will provide conducive offices for the lecturers. The building will be second to none in the institution.
“This project is achievable through the efforts of the alumni of the faculty. The Alumni committee was set up for the project, and there was a fundraising ceremony chaired by the CEO of Air Peace, Allen Onyema.
“So the Dean is determined to execute the project in line with the standard design,” Onyeizugbe, a lecturer in the department of business administration, enthused.
The chairman of the occasion, Chief Emmanuel Uba, had, in an opening remark, encouraged the dean, alumni, staff and students of FMS, and pledged further donation to fast track the project completion.
The Students Faculty President, on behalf of other students, assured their support to the faculty and university.