By Gabriel Chy Alonta
The Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Alumni Association, Lagos Island Chapter, has inaugurated an ultramodern nursing mother centre, and students’ convenience in the faculty of education of the university.
Orient Daily reports that the project sponsors were Chief Tony Okonkwo, Chief Princess Amaka Obi, Chief Kennedy Okonkwo, Chief James Obi and Chief Cajethan Okonkwo.
Performing the inauguration exercise on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at the faculty of education, the University Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, promised to support the alumni association to be the best in Nigeria and Africa, while disclosing that the University Council members had approved Alumni building in the institution.
Esimone, Nnamdi Azikiwe University 6th substantive vice-chancellor, lauded the benefactor for donating such edifice in the university, and called on other chapters to emulate the Lagos Island chapter in giving back to the institution that made them. He said the project would be beneficial to both staff and students.
The vice-chancellor harped on the need to project the image of the institution to the international communities through the institution’s products (Alumni). He said the university is building a database for its products to improve National Universities Commission’s (NUC) ratings during accreditation.
Princess Iyom Amaka Obi, the chairperson of the Lagos Island chapter, in a remark, thanked all those who contributed to the project, and encouraged other chapters to be focused in executing a project in the institution. She disclosed that her chapter had concluded plans to complete the 2021 and 2022 projects in the university.
According to Obi, I know what students pass through when it comes to a comfortable convenience in almost all the campuses. This over N25 million edifice, therefore, is aimed at providing a top class convenience for both nursing mothers and students. The project will be maintained for 6-months before handing it over to the University.
“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 this chapter. I discussed with our members and we decided that constructing a modern convenience and nursing mother unit will be ideal.
“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.
Earlier, Prof. Emeka Ezeonu, the Resident Electoral Commissioner, Imo State and former national president, Unizik Alumni, reminded his audience that it was the duty of Alumni Associations to give back to the University rather than taking from it. He, therefore, called on all alumni members to think out ways to contribute meaningfully to the University, even as he thanked the Lagos Island chapter for their gesture.
The Dean, Faculty of Education, Prof. Nkechi Ikediugwu, represented by the sub-dean, Dr. Isaac Nwankwo, had, in a remark, expressed optimism that the project would improve the welfare of both staff and students. She described the gesture as timely, noting that the faculty of education was an appropriate place to site the project.
Prof. Ezimma Nnabuife, the leader of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Council, Engr. Emeka Nwafor, the national president, Unizik Alumni Association, Prof. Dennis Aribodor, former ASUU-NAU chairperson, Prof. Meshach Umenweke, Convocation representative in Council, Comrade Stephen Ufoaroh, ASUU-NAU chairperson, Prof. Vivian Nwogbo, faculty of education postgraduate sub-dean, Dr. Kingsley Ubaoji, Awka Chapter chairperson of the alumni, among others, in goodwill messages, eulogized the alumni association, while assuring that the university would continue to support their activities.
Other professors present at the event included Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, deputy vice-chancellor (Administration), Prof. Nkechi Nwokoye (Council member), Prof. Tagbo Ibeneme, Prof. Chika Ile, Prof. Williams Obiozor, Prof. Ebele Okigbo, Prof. Comfort Okolocha, Prof. Chinyelu Nwokolo and Prof. Ngozi Agu of educational foundations.