The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) on Tuesday 7, November, 2023 endowed a N30,000,000 Professional Chair on the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Two other universities, the University of Lagos and the Modibbo Adama University, Adamawa state also benefitted from the endowment.
The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Arizechukwu Igwe, FAS, the Registrar, Dr (Mrs) Celine Ngozi Nebedum, and the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof. Emenike Ejiogu represented the University of Nigeria at the endowment ceremony, which took place at the commission’s head office, at Maitama, Abuja.
The Executive Vice-Chairman of NCC, Dr Aminu Maida in his address said that the endowment was a reflection of the commission’s commitment to the development and advancement of higher education in Nigeria.
He said that since 2019, NCC has endowed seven Federal universities in Nigeria with Professorial Chairs because of its believe in the academia to make impact through research and innovation.
He said that the University of Nigeria and the other two universities were selected for the endowment because they exemplify commitment to academic excellence and have distinguished themselves in their respective domains.
“They have demonstrated resilience, innovation and dedication to advancing knowledge, making them ideal partners in our pursuit of intellectual and social transformation”. Dr Maida said.
Dr. Maida expressed optimism that the endowment of the Professorial Chairs would inspire a surge in research that will provide solutions to pressing challenges in the telecommunication industry.
In his response, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof Igwe thanked the NCC for the foresight in instituting the endowment project, which he said aligns with the commission’s mandate of linking the academia with the communication industry.
Prof. Igwe said that the endowment will serve as a timely intervention for the University of Nigeria to enhance its result-oriented research and innovation culture with a focus on practical communication technologies for social service delivery and economic empowerment.
The Vice-Chancellor said that the University has adequate multi-disciplinary resources in engineering, physical and social sciences and a good history of successful endowments and hosting of centres of excellence.
“I can assure you that the University of Nigeria has the institutional capacity to deliver on the terms and purpose of the endowment”, Prof Igwe said.
Report by Chibuike Ezekwesili
News Editor: Okuh Ikeme
Published by, Okuh Ikeme.
