The Pro-Chancellor and the Chairman Governing Council, National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Malam Isah Yuguda, has said that the university continues to demonstrate the unwavering commitment in taking education to the very doorstep of every Nigerian.
His Excellency, Mallam Isa Yuguda stated this in his remarks during the official inauguration of Ikorodu Model Study Centre of the university in Ikorodu, Lagos State, held on Tuesday, September 3, 2024.
According to him, with over 123 study centres strategically located across all geopolitical zones of the country, NOUN has demonstrated the unwavering commitment to taking education to every doorsteps in Nigeria.
"This concept ensures that no matter where you are, whether in the bustling cities or the remote areas of our vast nation you have access to quality education without constraint of time and space," he said.
The chairman underscored the potentials of the new centre in Ikorodu, which, he said, will add to the success of the university, as it could become a hub for knowledge sharing not only for registration of students, but also a broader community with vision for workshops, seminars and vocational training programmes.
"As the digital economy grows the Ikorodu Model Study Centre could also become a leader in delivering tech-driven learning solutions, positioning the community to harness power of technology for economic development," Yuguda, a former governor of Bauchi State, added.
He therefore extend profound appreciation to Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the Federal Ministry of Education for the funding and realisation of the project.
"To the Ikorodu Monarch, I extend my deepest gratitude for our Royal Father's steadfast leadership and support. Government officials who have played a pivotal role in the realisation of this project, your presence today underscores the importance of education as a tool for social transformation and the building of a prosperous future for all Nigerian," he said.
In his remarks, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Olufemi Peters, recalled how the idea of citing the study centre at Ikorodu Local Government area was first muted, and noted that there was a conscious and deliberate decision made immediately he assumed the office of the Vice-Chancellor of the university.
"At the time of assumption of office, our students who were about thirty thousand domiciled in Lagos were converging on our Lagos Office on Victoria Island which used to serve as the Headquarters of the University, the facility was over stretched and over-crowded, housing three distinct study centres all together in one place.
"In taking the decision to establish a study centre in Ikorodu, I was also conscious of the circumstances that led to the closure of other centres that we had in Lagos.
"The closure was premised on the need to stop using rented properties as our centres and instead, we should make effort to get and own our properties," Peters said.
He extended his appreciation and gratitude to TETFund and the Needs Assessment Grant of the Federal Ministry of Education through the National Universities Commission (NUC) for their contribution to the funding of the centre.
"I particularly thank the TETFund Executive Secretary, Arc. Sonny Echono, who has continued to fund the university infrastructural developments, taking it to a greater heights, just as his predecessor in office. Without TETFund, NOUN would not have recorded the exceptional success it has in infrastructural development," the VC stated.
The event witnessed the presence of two former NOUN VCs: Prof. Vincent Tenebe and Prof. Abdalla Uba Adamu, who also took turns in appreciating the massive structures and lauded the present management team for its efforts in the expansion of study centres thereby bringing education to the doorsteps of individuals not only in the region but also other regions.
Dignitaries that graced the occasion include the Oba Adewale Kabir, who commended the contribution of NOUN management in bringing the study centre into his community, and pledged to advocate for the university.
The occasion was climaxed with the Pro-Chancellor, alongside other members of the council touring the new facility with NOUN Principal Officers, centre directors, Ikorodu Monarch, media representatives, centre staff and invited guests.
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