CHANCELLOR’S MESSAGE AT THE INAUGURATION OF HAVILLA UNIVERSITY GOVERNING COUNCIL/UNVEILING OF CHIEF (DR.) MRS. MUJIDAT FOLASADE TINUBU-OJO ACADEMIC COMPLEX ON THE 9THDAY OF MARCH, 2024.
His Excellency,
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the
Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,
ASIWAJU AHMED BOLA TINUBU GCFR,
Hon Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman;
The Executive Secretary National Universities Commission, Mr. Chris Jibreel Maiyaki;
Vice Chancellor of Mentoring Institution (UNICAL),
Chairman and Members of BOT,
Pro-Chancellor and members of Governing Council,
Distinguished Senators, Speakers and Members of Federal and State Houses of Assembly,
Vice Chancellor and Principal Officers and Staff of HUNI,
Clan Head and Members of Nde Traditional Rulers Council,
Nde Women, Youth and Landlord Communities,
Heads of Security Agencies,
Students, Youth Leaders and Women Organizations,
NANS, Traders and Market Women.
To the glory of Almighty God l am pleased on behalf of Havilla University, to welcome you all to this inauguration ceremony and the unveiling of Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu–Ojo Academic Complex.
I particularly wish to Welcome Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu – Ojo the (Iyaloja General of Nigeria), her entourage and all the distinguished governing council members to Havilla University Nde – Ikom ‘City of Gold’. Your presence is a testament of your extreme commitment to the development of Education in Nigeria. It further shows that God does not forget his people no matter how remote. We are glad that finally, our light has come. As a university, our commitment is to be fore-runners in the training of youths that shall be transformed into future leaders and generations of nation builders. This supports the educational focus of the Federal Government of expanding access and improving the quality of the Nigerian University System (NUS).
Our dream is to operate a dynamic system of teaching, learning and research in a conducive and secured environment. As Governing Council Members you have graciously accepted to mid-wife and run a growing University at this stage of our development.
I therefore appeal to you to allow your right sense of judgment, sincerity and wealth of experience to guide your decision-making process at all times. I am aware of the huge sacrifices you are about to make in this journey and would not take it for granted. Our collective hope as a University is to look down the lane a few years from now and have every reason to thank God and you for the remarkable progress that your tenure will bring.
As a growing university, in order to fulfill our core mandate of raising employable graduates in a highly competitive global economic space, l wish to bring to your attention for consideration, some of our proposals and challenges.
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Provisions of scholarship for indigent students, across board and especially the Landlord communities. This will help stem the tide of huge post JAMB withdrawals due lack of funds. The university has a generous scholarship program tagged “Operation learn for life”. Our plan is to support 2,000 students every 4 years to go through school.
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As a rule we are due for validation of license and accreditation of 16 programs by Sept/Oct. 2024. We would appreciate support from council members and other well spirited citizens.
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Completion of two faculty buildings; Faculty of Management and Social Sciences and Faculty of Health Sciences both of which are currently at foundation level.
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Equipping and furnishing of the general and departmental libraries.
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Furnishing of the Law library with a view to completing the process of approval with The Legal Council of Legal Education.
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Furnishing and equipping of the University Clinic, as well as the Department of Nursing Science and Public Health Departments with state of the art equipment.
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Procurement of 4 Nos. 32 seatter buses, required for Nursing Science and Public Health Departments as required by regulating agencies.
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Recruitment of suitably qualified Professors, Lecturers and staff in all departments with on-campus accommodation.
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We appeal to the Pro-Chancellor and Members of the Governing council to request the Board and Management of Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) to facilitate the execution of projects meant for our University in their budget.
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May l seize this opportunity to appeal to the Pro-Chancellor and governing council members again, to request the Federal Housing Authority to build at least 100 units of staff housing for all categories of workers through Mortgage financing.
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Development of Sport facilities, for all round training of the students.
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Equipping of Computer Laboratories, Software Engineering Facilities as well as full internet coverage of the University and the host community.
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PROPOSAL:
In view of the above, I wish to propose for legacy and posterity, the Inauguration of Ten Billion Naira (N10 BN) Chief (Dr.) Mrs. Mujidat Folasade Tinubu-Ojo International Centre for Vocational/ Entrepreneurial Studies and Research. This centre shall be a processing ground for production of self-employable young graduates and wealth creation, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President.
Furthermore, the centre which will be technology driven will work in collaboration with local and International Organizations to provide first class training of skilled and technical labour that will champion the new industrial revolution in Nigeria and Africa. The ultimate aim of this center is: eliminate poverty and unemployment among our youths. Let me congratulate the Pro-Chancellor for the naming of the Academic Complex, after her as well as the conferment of Chieftaincy title of ‘Nton Efa Abakar Nde 1’, the first of its kind in the entire Ikom Local Government of Cross River State.
May I formally thank the Chairman Board of Trustee and Vice Chancellor of the Mentoring University for all the invaluable contributions in our journey so far. The generous support of our past and present awardees, friends and benefactors of the University will remain indelible in our minds.
Finally, I wish to thank our landlords, the Nde community for their graciousness.
Thank you and God bless.
EVANG. HON. JONES A.O TANGBAN mhr.
Chancellor
