By Gabriel Chy Alonta
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Alumni Association, Lagos Island Chapter, is almost set to inaugurate the nursing mother unit and modern convenience under construction.
The chairperson of the Lagos Island chapter, Iyom Amaka Obi, who disclosed this to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra state capital, said the construction is domiciled beside the Faculty of Education Complex of the institution.
Obi said that the modern convenience, which, she said, was the first of its kind in the university, would also house a nursing mother unit. She said the gesture would help to solve convenience challenge in the institution.
According to her, “When I was elected the chairperson of the UNIZIK Alumni, Lagos Island Chapter, I took it upon myself to ensure that there will be a legacy project done by the chapter. I discussed with our members and we decided that constructing a modern convenience and nursing mother unit would be ideal.
She posited that the convenience whose foundation laying was performed last year is 90 per cent completed, while also giving a description of the contents of the structure.
“I am delighted to tell you that our legacy project is 90 per cent complete and will be inaugurated very soon in fulfillment of the promise we made towards completion of the project within a year of its commencement.
“The building is demarcated in two sections, one section for male convenience with a total of seven toilets, six for the usual and one for the physically challenged. There are five urinary units, three wash hand basins and one shower component for refreshing in the case of physical activities such as sports and recreation.
“The female convenience also has nine toilet units, one for the physically challenged, four wash hand basins and a shower for cleaning up for the ladies, as well as nursing mothers.
“The other wing, which is located at the centre of the building is a nursing mother unit which will serve as a form of relaxation for pregnant women and nursing mothers who may wish to breastfeed and clean up their babies.
“Overall, we have been proactive by putting up a structure that will serve the university community”, she enthused.
On plans regarding maintenance and administration of the building, Iyom Obi said the association would discuss further with the university authority before the inauguration.
“We intend to discuss with the university authority on ways of ensuring that the legacy project is maintained. We have two proposals in mind, one is for the Alumni to manage the convenience for a period of one year to show everyone how it can be adequately managed and another could be to manage the structure for six months before it is handed over, but these projections are at the instance and discretion of the university management”, she said.