EBONYI: Alex Ekwueme University set to promote Akwete material

THE Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (AE-FUNAI), has concluded plans to promote the Akwete textile in the state.

The Akwete textile is a clothing material indigenous to Abia State.

The out-going Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Chinedum Uzoma Nwajiuba, disclosed this while on a thank you visit to Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu.

During the visit, Nwajiuba briefed the governor on the setting up of the Akwete Clothing Centre in the university to effectively promote the Akwete textile.

To show how committed he is to project, the VC wore a dress made of Akwete on the visit and also presented a gift of Akwete materials to the governor.

 Nwajiuba appreciated the governor for, among other things, attending the Hidden Hunger Conference in AE-FUNAI and for instituting a research grant.

 He updated the governor on the N2m grant and explained that it has already been disbursed following a competitive call for proposals to two research projects related to nutrition. 

 He also hailed the state government’s vision in establishing a University of Science and Technology and prayed for expedited action.

The VC advised that, rather than yield to delay due to paucity of funds, consideration could be given to a funding model that would largely take the burden off the state government.

He called the attention of the governor to the model of the First Technical University Ibadan, owned by the Oyo State Government, but which does not depend on Government subvention. The Vice-Chancellor offered pro-bono assistance towards achieving this.

While speaking after Nwajiuba’s suggestions and advice, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the Vice Chancellor for the visit, remarking that “it is the first time somebody has taken the trouble to come to him in such a manner”.

 He noted that Prof Nwajiuba’s tenure as Vice-Chancellor of AE-FUNAI has taken the University from being a little-known institution to one that is highly reputed and much sought after by parents, students and university administrators. He pledged to support the Akwete clothing centre in the University.

Expressing delight that the Research Grant he gave was deployed to the area of nutrition, the Governor used the opportunity to highlight the success of his State’s school feeding program in bringing students back to public primary schools.

He reassured his guest of the government’s commitment to the establishment of the University of Science and Technology and accepted Prof. Nwajiuba’s offer of assistance to the project. He prayed for his success in future endeavours.

Nwajiuba was accompanied on the visit by the Director, Centre for Educational Services, Prof Johny Ogunji; Director of Physical Planning, Works and Services, Dr. Iheanacho Ezeocha; and Ag Director of Partnerships, Chris Uwadoka.