By Gabriel Chy Alonta
As part of efforts towards the actualisation of ‘Project 200’ goal, the authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra state, have approved the construction and installation of 1000 Close-Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the four campuses of the institution.
The university vice-chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, made this known when the institution signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a technology company based in Nigeria, Bionomics, on Monday at the VC conference room.
The CCTV, Orient Daily learnt, would be installed in Awka, Agulu, Nnewi and Ifite-Ogwari campuses of the institution, and the installation is expected to last about 4-months in each of the campuses.
Esimone said that security was a very essential component of the university, the state and nation at large, and noted that the installations, when completed, would help to monitor real-time activities within the campus. He said the gesture was in line with global trends, and remarked that the CCTV, which he described as an innovative concept, would help to “curb crimes and insecurity threatening our existence.
“This project is significant because of two things – it will cost the university nothing and it is a clear testimony as to the quality of graduates that pass through the university, as the progenitor is an alumnus of this university”.
The vice-chancellor thanked the benefactor, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Bionomics, Onyedika Ugochukwu, for his think-home philosophy, assuring that the gesture would go down the memory lane in the university.
While expressing optimism that the project would be completed in record time, Esimone promised that the university management would give them all the necessary support to ensure the timely and seamless completion of the CCTV installations.
The benefactor, Mr. Ugochukwu, while responding, said it had been his passion to use technology to solve societal problems, noting that the gesture was part of giving back to the alma mater that made him. He said the project would complement the security effort in the university, drive investment, and create job opportunities.
According to him, what we entered today is a symbiotic relationship that will yield fruits to the University and us as a business venture. “We will mount a digital board that will be used to advertise brands, and the university can utilise such means to disseminate information to staff and students. It will also serve as a credible source for dispelling rumours and fake news across the campuses.
“It will even serve as an information carrier for the Chief Security Officer of the university, as well as be a deterrent for any sort of crime and threat in the University.
“We will be employing a best grade camera 8 Mega Pixels and bullet cameras, capable of recognising faces even at night. This is a reality check, and not rocket science, and that’s why we have chosen the right materials that can last for over 60 years to execute this project.
He further expressed optimism that the first phase of the project would be inaugurated in April, 2022, and thanked the university management for accepting to partner with his company, even as he assured that there would be a sustainability plan for the project to help recover cost and boost IGR for the university.
Barr. Philomena Okoye, university registrar,
Prof. Emma Okoye, coordinator, public-private partnership and Dr. Uche Ngenegbo, director, business venture and consultancy, were among members of the university who witnessed the signing of the MoU.
Margaret Effiom, Executive director, Business Development and Obinna Ahaneku, Project Engineer, South East, all of Bionomics, were equally present at the meeting.