SENATOR EKWUNIFE VISITS SITE FOR PROPOSED CONSTRUCTION OF SOLAR AND HIGH ENERGY COSMIC RAY LAB. AT UNIZIK

By Ikenna Nwokedi, PhD

The Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Distinguished Senator Uche Ekwunife (IYOM) on Saturday paid a visit to the proposed site for the construction of Solar and High Energy Cosmic Ray Laboratory at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

The proposed Laboratory which is facilitated by the Distinguished Senator is being donated by the National Space Research and Development Agency, Federal Ministry of Science and Technology, Abuja.

During the visit, Senator Ekwunife stated that her coming to UNIZIK is to visit the site for the proposed laboratory which will be one of the biggest laboratory in the South East Geopolitical zone of the country. She stated that the Laboratory when completed will be useful not just for the students but for the scholars and academics who are into research work in areas such as Chemistry, Physics, Biology and other allied disciplines. Senator Ekwunife also disclosed that the laboratory will also serve as a source of internally generated revenue for the institution as some institutions within the region and the entire nation will always visit UNIZIK for Research and Analysis.

The Senator representing Anambra Central zone said that the legacy project will be completed within a year via ensuring that there is adequate budgetary provision for its construction. The lawmaker thanked UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS, FPSN, for making available the land for the siting of the proposed Laboratory, she further stated that in a week or two to come she will be returning to the institution to performrm the foundation laying of the project.

In his response, UNIZIK Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Charles Esimone, FAS, FPSN, thanked Senator Ekwunife for her kind gesture in ensuring that such a project is brought to the institution named after the ZIK of Africa, Prof. Esimone eulogized the lawmaker for her interest and activism in the affairs of the University, the state, the zone and the entire Igbo race.

Prof. Esimone opined that the quality of the proposed laboratory will bring people from the West African Sub-region for Research and Analysis in solar, high energy and cosmic rays. The scholar expressed his delight that the project is happening during his tenure while describing the students of UNIZIK as being lucky to have such a legacy project sited in the institution.

Reacting also, the President, Students Union Government (SUG) UNIZIK, Comrade Chukwuemeka Anih lauded Senator Ekwunife for the initiative, Comrade Anih stated that the laboratory will aid students in research and be adequately developed academically, he thanked the Vice-Chancellor and the University Management for the support while describing the development as a dream come true for the students of UNIZIK.

Present at the occasion was the contractor from Bloomspring Ventures Nigeria Ltd; the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic), Prof. Frederick Odibo; a member of the Governing Council, Prof. Meshach Umenweke; Director of Works and Services of the institution, Engr. Samuel Onwuemene; University Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mrs Chika Eneh as well as the students of the institution.