By our Reporter
Senator Andrew Uchendu, formerly representing Rivers East senatorial district, and the former vice chancellor of the Rivers State University (RSU), Professor Simeon Achinewhu, have commended the election of Prof Emmanuel C. Emasealu as the new chairman of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA), Rivers State Branch
This was as President of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Worldwide, Prof Gabriel Nyityo, and other national officers, that included the association’s 1st Assistant Secretary, Chief Uchemadu Abosi, and former UIAA president, Meremu Nathaniel, witnessed the keenly contested election in Port Harcourt on Saturday.
Prof Emasealu, who was recently inducted into the Academy of Letters, leads a new Rivers UIAA executive team that includes, Amb. Mitayire Ajari as Vice Chairman, Barr. Goodluck M Ezikwa (Secretary), Barr. Chinedu Asuzu (Assistant Secretary), Obiageli Egwudike Igwe (Treasurer), Christiana Lango Kalu (Financial Secretary), Kelechi Nwaucha (Public Relations Officer), Victoria Owoleke (Social Secretary) and Barr. Sarah Emmanuel-Apia (Legal Officer).
Senator Uchendu and Prof Achinewhu, both alumni of the University of Ibadan, agreed that the elections could not have come at a better time in the life of the state chapter.
New Rivers UIAA chairman, Professor Emmanuel Emasealu, later told our reporter that the association is blessed with professionals and prominent alumni, who have and are still contributing to the development of the state.
“In the first place, I would like to observe that UIAA worldwide was very much represented at this occasion. That is a statement, a very loud statement about the seriousness of the association.
“Two, I would like to state that we have a group of committed individuals, notable figures in society. We are talking of people like Professor Achinewhu, former Vice-Chancellor of RSU, we are talking of people like Senator Andrew Uchendu, a distinguished senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We’re talking of professionals, pharmacists, doctors, lawyers, eminent personalities. These are the people who constitute this wonderful body.
“Now, let us recall that the University of Ibadan is the first in Nigeria. Going forward, we are believing that members will contribute their quota to the growth and development of this great body, and the society.
“Our task as the elected executive of this great body is to lead with the fear of God, with dignity and respect for members. We are very convinced that by His grace, we will deliver and handsomely too,” Professor Emasealu said.
In a chat with our reporter, President of the University of Ibadan Alumni Association (UIAA) Worldwide, Prof Gabriel Nyityo, “observed that the Rivers branch is a very vibrant branch. I liked the level of participation, the level of contribution to debate and the process that led to the election conduct itself.
“Then the election itself was very transparent. There was consensus building and there was also rivalry among the various candidates. All this was beautifully accommodated and the result is what we have with the election,” Prof Nyityo said, as he expressed faith in the ability of the Prof Emasealu-led executive to deliver on its mandate.
Commenting on the debate for either public or private university, Prof Gabriel Nyityo, said “a university is university, each one is striving for excellence, whether public or private.
“But in this tradition, we first have public (universities), and traditions die hard. So we are always inclined to feeling that public universities are better. And in fact, they are because they have the capacity, both human and physical resources and a good number of them are doing very well.
“But then there are also some public universities that have been set up more or less like social infrastructure facility for rural dwellers. Those kind of universities, unless they upgrade, they remain social amenities for rural communities and so they are not global
“However, there also very excellent private universities. Some are even very small but are doing contributing their best some are also big and they are contributing their best. Though, in Nigeria we do know that much of the research based postgraduate research is being done by public universities. So, they are still the leaders, undisputably.
“For me, it’s a balanced take. Public universities are doing their own bit. Private universities are doing their own bit. They’re training more towards teaching and learning, while the public universities are here to research.
“My advice is that the government should fund more public universities. It will take more time before private universities will come of age. Those public universities that are making a serious impact, they should also be encouraged,” the alumni president said.
