BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY THE PIPELINEJUNE - JULY 2017 EDITION | ISSUE 22 Putting the grapevine out of business NUGA GAMES 2017: BENSON IDAHOSA UNIVERSITY EMERGES TOP PRIVATE UNIVERSITY WITH 26 MEDALS Benson Idahosa University recently emerged top private university at the 25th Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) Games, which was held at the Federal University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Benue. Benson Idahosa University was the only pri- vate university that participated at the NUGA Games with a total of 47 athletes, 8 coaches and 5 officials. Out of the 16 NUGA events, Team BIU participated in 7 events namely; Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Chess, Swimming, Tennis and Volleyball. According to records by the NUGA secretariat in Makurdi, a total of 57 universities competed for medals at the sports fiesta and amidst stiff competition, Team BIU emerged second runner-up with 10 gold, 7 silver and 9 bronze medals. Benson Idahosa University proved its superiority by defeating 55 state and federal universities, which included, University of Lagos (UNILAG), Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), University of Nigeria (UNN), University of Benin (UNIBEN), University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID), University of Calabar (UNICAL), University of Jos (UNIJOS), and University of Ilorin. However, Benson Idahosa University won 8 gold, 5 silver and 6 bronze medals in swimming, while in tennis (male single and female single) they garnered 1 gold and 1 bronze medal respectively. Also, the students established their supremacy in bad- minton, by winning 2 bronze medals with an additional gold and silver in chess. Two of our athletes, Amukali Evans and Mohammed Lawal, won Most Valuable Player awards in swimming and tennis respec- tively. It will also be recalled that in 2011, Benson Idahosa University emerged second runner- up in the West Africa University Games held at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State Nigeria. Expressing her gratitude to the University Management, the Director of Sports who led and supervised the team from Benson Idahosa University, Mrs. Eunice Adebayo-James, attributed her team’s brilliant performance to God, and to the athletes’ gross discipline. “We came this far because my players performed according to the laid down instructions given to them, hence, God crowned our efforts. I want to appreciate the University Management for their unrelenting encouragement to sports and on behalf of the Sports Unit, we promise to continually strive to achieve greater feats in future competitions,” she said. The Most Valuable Player (MVP) in swimming, Amukali Evans, said the team prepared adequately for the competition. “I feel very excited and great. We trained very hard and our Director of Sports took very good care of us,” he said. He explained that they passed through a lot of difficulties before and during the competitions. “However, that notwithstand- ing, we are all happy with the turnout of events,” he added. Meanwhile, the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT), garnered 70 gold, 47 silver and 33 bronze medals to win the 25th NUGA Games. Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), came second with 11 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals. 1 MANAGEMENT SPEAKS Benson Idahosa University to Confer Honorary Award on Olu of Warri he 20th Olu of Warri, HRM, Ogiame Ikenwoli I, is one of the emi- nent Nigerians to receive a Benson Idahosa University (BIU) hon- orary doctorate degree in the forthcoming university convoca- Ttion ceremony, set to hold on the 8th of July, 2017. The Deputy Vice Chancellor of Benson Idahosa University, Prof. Sam Guobadia, who disclosed this during a courtesy visit to the monarch’s palace in Warri, Delta State, said the decision was aimed at rewarding the royal father for his resourcefulness for championing the cause of his WORD OF THE MONTH FROM THE people. ARCHBISHOP OF CHURCH OF GOD MISSION INTERNATIONAL (CGMi) FOR THE MONTH OF JUNE 2017 EMPOWERED TO WALK IN FORGIVENESS Luke 6:13, Colossians 3:13, Matthew 18:21-22 According to Prof. Guobadia, who led the University Management dele- gation, he said they came to convey the endorsement of the University Governing Council on Management’s recommendation that the Olu of Warri be an honorary awardee. According to Prof. Guobadia, the Olu will be conferred with the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity. “As a community, we know you deserve this significant award because of As you step into the month of June, I pray for you that what was your difficult season from your resourcefulness, which the throne is widely known for. You are the January will become a place of refreshing be- 20th Olu of Warri; you are a child of God, a man of peace and a widely-ac- fore the end of the year. Psalm 84:5-7. knowledged bridge-builder that has led his people well.” The royal father, in his remarks, described his recognition as a great hon- According to our Director of Campus Life, Rev. our. “I am indeed elated with this offer and promise to be there on the Laurie, "There is victory on the other side of proposed date with my entourage.” the pain you are going through. Discovering The Olu of Warri said he was particularly delighted to be associated with the strength and presence of God in the midst of your trying time is like finding gold! It is un- the University Chancellor, Archbishop Margaret Benson Idahosa. quantifiable in its power to restore and revive “To me, this is a family affair, as I am a deeply involved member of the you. If you have fallen into some kind of trap or Church. I am here to identify with you. Feel free to call for my assistance, negative life-cycle, don't stay down. Get your- and whatever that is within me to do or give, I will do,” he added. self up, start moving forward and learn the in- valuable lessons that are taught in the valley". Even as we gear towards the second half of this year, we are stepping into our best season yet. Amen! 2 GOV. OBASEKI APPOINTS MRS. Why Private Universities Are Stronger(1) SANNI AS HEAD OF STATE Everistus Onwuzurike LIBRARY JOINT REVIVAL In 1948, the university education started in Nigeria when the IMPLEMENTATION COMMITTEE first university was established in Ibadan. The University of Ibadan came to being after Yaba College of Technology (YA- BATECH) was established as the first tertiary institution. In the wake of the birth of Third Republic in 1999, the dereg- ulation of the economy saw the emergence of private univer- sities. The financial crisis facing states of the federation en- couraged the establishment of the private universities, which are increasing till date. It should be observed that the quest to give more choices to the ever-increasing number of admission seekers necessi- tated the establishment of private universities. Since then, there have been about 60 approved private universities in the country. Just like the public universities, private tertiary institutions in Nigeria are also being ranked and reviewed annually. Pres- ently, on the table of ranking, some private universities like Benson Idahosa University, Babcock University and Cove- Governor Godwin Obaseki has appointed the Librarian of nant University have better standing among universities, Benson Idahosa University, Mrs. Grace Sanni, as the head both public and private. of the Edo State Library Joint Revival Implementation No parent would like to compromise quality for names. Many Committee. The inauguration is in line with the Governor’s have argued that private universities are expensive, but the promise to revamp the State’s library system. truth is that good life is not expensive but it is the creation Tasking the committee members at the Edo State Govern- that is expensive. These schools give you value for your mon- ment House in Benin City, where he inaugurated the com- ey; education shouldn’t be so cheap. mittee, the Governor reiterated that his administration is Former president of Harvard University, Derek Bok, famously poised to revamp public libraries and key into e-library ser- said: “If you think education is expensive try ignorance.” vices, which was the contemporary international standard. We should also know that the fees of public-owned tuition On the management of the Committee, Governor Obaseki have increased and are not as cheap as they used to be. disclosed that the Chief of Staff, Mr. Taiwo Akerele, would Most of these private varsities have decided to deploy the use coordinate it, while the members would submit a report on of Information Communication Technology (ICT) to impart the terms of reference within a four-week period. knowledge on students, while many public-owned institu- Speaking at the inauguration, the Committee head, Mrs. tions lag behind in this respect. Students, who attend private Grace Sanni, commended the Governor for his interest in schools, are easily linked with mentors and research groups upgrading the State’s library to world standards, noting as done in many globally-acclaimed schools, but most of our that constituting the board was a step in the right direction. public schools cannot do this. She said members would adhere to the terms of reference At academic and social competitions, private varsities are given to them adding that a good library would facilitate an earning more honour and accolades, compared to pub- informed society, which would also promote development. lic-owned schools. At the sixth International Humanitarian Mrs. Sanni is to head the committee in reviving the state Law Moot Court competition held at Lagos State University of public libraries in the State, recommending ways of re- (LASU), a private school, Benson Idahosa University in Benin viving reading culture among students and youths, sug- emerged winner amidst stiff competition from nine public gesting possible public private partnerships in the library universities.