Ebonyi varsity sets to build advanced research lab

From Nwogha Ndubuisi, Abakaliki

Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Abakaliki, is set to build an advanced research laboratory for the conduct of biological analysis and other research works in the institution. The Vice Chancellor of the University, Abakaliki, Professor Chigozie Ogbu, disclosed this when the leadership of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ebonyi State Council, paid him a working visit in his office at Ezzangbo, the permanent site of the institution.

Ogbu who is the former deputy Governor of Ebonyi State said the research laboratory when completed would be the only one of such Lab in the South -East and South-South regions of Nigeria. He added that the lab would also serve Researchers from other part of the Country especially parts of the North Central zone such as Benue State and would also serve as a source of revenue to the University. He disclosed that TETFund was facilitating the building of the advanced research laboratory in the University. The Vice Chancellor said that one of his major focus when he came on board was to improve on the research activities of EBSU, a reason he said, made him to establish a Research Club in the University to boost research activities. According to him, "We have a committee that considers research proposals. Three weeks ago, about 42 Lecturers submitted their research proposal. The committee screened it and I think over 20 were approved, and they have been sent to TETFund for funding", he added. He said not less than 100 Academic Staff of the University either had been promoted to the rank of Professors or Associate Professors since he took over the administration of the University. "Academic Staff promoted to Associate professors and professors in EBSU are almost over 100 since this administration came on board", Ogbu said He further noted that the general staff welfare had also been a top priority of his administration. "We were promoting staff nominally without financial benefits due to paucity of fund, but because of the recent intervention of the Visitor to the University, Rt. Hon. Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru who is also an alumnus of the University, we started all the promotions with the financial benefits. "We have paid June salary and we are preparing to pay July salary as well. Our staff are very happy this time. Promotion of staff is ongoing with the financial benefits and it's been encouraging", he disclosed. He said the university had made a tremendous achievements in infrastructure development, citing the new Faculty of Education and other facilities at the permanent site of the school as some of the major attractions in the institution. He disclosed that in the next two months,there would be a free Internet services in the whole University's environs, courtesy of National Communication Commission, (NCC), adding that the state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru had supported the institution in no small measure. On the request by the State NUJ Chairman, Comrade Nwafor, for a special consideration for members of NUJ in the State who wish to upgrade their certificates, especially in post graduate Diploma in Mass Communication, the VC said the university lacks financial capacity to grant such request, but assured of the management's readiness to assist academically. "On the issue raised concerning PGD programs in Mass Communication Department, I must tell you that one of greatest problem in this University is funding. In 2014, state subvention was N240m, in 2015, it was reduced to N200m, when I came in here, it was reduced to N150m, but initially, it was N350m a month. It took God's grace for us to survive. "On top of it, COVID-19 and ASSUU strike came and school was closed and we still have to pay lecturers. It was a very difficult time. By God's grace, we weathered that storm and came out. We have been struggling because our major source of income is the students' school fees. "TETfund has been so much helpful. We feel fulfilled with our new visitor (referring to Governor Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru) one of our own, who saw to the successful dualization of the University road, increased salary of staff by 10 per cent, reduced the school fees by 10 per cent and increased subvention from N180m to N280m. "After he did that, we have been able to catch up. Infact, we have paid two months salaries. Some of our sister state universities are owing 8 months arrears of salary. We don't have any fund to assist anyone but it should be based on personal effort. The admission is there and we have all the academic resources", Ogbu concluded. Earlier in his remarks, the Chairman of Nigeria Union of Journalists NUJ, Ebonyi State Council, Comrade Chinedu Nwafor commended the Vice Chancellor and his Management team for the positive changes the university had recorded under their watch and urged them to sustain the tempo. Nwafor expressed the readiness of the NUJ to partner the institution in projecting its programmes and activities to the limelights and urged the Vice Chancellor to make regular the interface between the University and the leadership of the NUJ in the State.