ASUU NAU SETS PACE , AWARDS SCHOLARSHIP TO 50 STUDENTS, REWARDS 26 RETIRED STAFF
By Odogwu Emeka Odogwu
It was historic Wednesday at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka as the Comrade Stephen Ufoaroh led Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka chapter, awarded scholarship to Fifty (50) students of the institution.
The scholarship scheme worth Three Million Naira (N3M) were from members of ASUU NAU as part of their contributions for a better society.
ASUU NAU as well honoured Twenty-Six (26) retired staff for their meritorious service to the institution.
The hybrid event took place n Tuesday at the ASUU NAU Secretariat Complex inside Unizik.
www.odogwublog.com reports that those who couldn’t join Physically at the event at ASUU NAU Secretariat joined online even as the event was attended by the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman Governing Council, Prof. Sulyman Alege Kuranga; UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS, FPSN; Immediate Past Chairpersons of ASUU NAU, Comrade Ike Odimegwu and Comrade Dennis Aribodor; Dean, Faculty of Education, Comrade Nkechi Ikediugwu; Dean, Faculty of Art, Comrade Greg Obiamalu; Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Comrade Uche Nwogwugwu, the institution’s Directors of Work and Physical Planning, parents and relatives of the awardees, ASUU Excos, ASUU NAU members as well as students.
In his remarks during the occasion, the Chairperson ASUU NAU, Comrade Stephen Ufoaroh said the scholarship was part of the Union’s Social Responsibility to the students which is the second time the Union is embarking on such noble movement aimed at promoting hardwork and excellence amongst students.
Comrade Ufoaroh stated that the benefitting students underwent through rigorous screening exercise by the ASUU NAU Student’s Committee. He eulogized the members for their immense contributions towards raising the funds for such noble project in the midst of the shortfall in salaries, remunerations and promotion arrears. Ufoaroh also disclosed that ASUU at the national level also awarded a scholarship worth N100,000 to the most deserving students in public universities in Nigeria for which, Elizabeth Chinenye Ikele, a student of the Department of English Language and Literature UNIZIK is a beneficiary.
On the reward to retired staff of the institution, Ufoaroh stated that it’s in line with the mandate and social responsibility of the union to reward it’s members who have served diligently in the course of their duty and service to the institution and by extension to the Union.
Ufoaroh stated that the event is an annual occasion to recognize and appreciate the senior citizens of the country for their contributions to the growth of academics.
In his reaction, ASUU President, Comrade Emmanuel Osodeke praised ASUU NAU for such a noble innovation which has ensured that the labours of our elders will not be in vain.
Comrade Osodeke who was represented by the Zonal Coordinator, Comrade Uzo Onyebinama also praised the union for promoting education by encouraging deserving and hardworking students with scholarship scheme stating that it is the right step in the right direction.
Responding, one of the retirees and a former Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Prof. Ikenna Onyido described the award as one of the best award he had received coming from his constituency. Onyido thanked ASUU for remembering the spirit of comradeship describing the award as one of the best awards he has received.
The emeritus Professor of Chemistry urged ASUU to sustain the momentous and the great innovation.
Responding on behalf of the student recipients, Elizabeth Ikele thanked the ASUU NAU and the national body for such an innovative move aimed at rewarding excellence and encouraging hardwork.
Ikele stated that the funds will serve as a relief to their parents and their sponsors while disclosing that she and the rest of the students will utilize the funds for which it was instituted in the first instance.
www.odogwublog.com in an encounter with Mrs Chinwe Blessing Okafor, a parent of one the awardees, she was full of appreciation for the ASUU NAU members, even as she emphasized that ASUU has demonstrated true leadership by putting into practice what it preaches with the scholarship award. She encouraged ASUU NAU leadership to sustain the kind gesture towards ensuring that the standard of education is raised in the country.
www.odogwublog.com reports further poem presentation entitled ‘Helped in the Nick of Time’ by one of the 50 recipents of the scholarship and a student of Mass Communication, Miracle Ozioma Opara formed the highlight of the event as well as award and sourvenirs to retired staff and presentation of cheques to the 50 deserving students.
