…as UNIZIK VC describes benefactors as worthy ambassadors of the university
The authorities of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, UNIZIK, Awka, Anambra State have taken delivery of five new ultra modern offices for the Department of Estate Management, Faculty of Environmental Sciences of the institution.
The remodeled offices, attracted by Dr. Joseph Onyejiaka of the Department of Estate Management through the CEOs of Arnold & Associates, Mr. Arnold Ekweoba and Sure Homes & Land, Mr. Osorachukwu Ani, was aimed at solving office space challenge in the department.
Speaking during the inauguration of the offices, Vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof. Charles Esimone appreciated the benefactors for their magnanimity, describing them as worthy ambassadors of the university.
He commended Dr. Onyejiaka for attracting such project, stressing that time had come for the university Alumni to contribute to the development of the university.
He promised to extend his support to the faculty by not only putting up a befitting building, but furnishing the offices to make them more conducive.
He disclosed that he had graciously approved the take-off of three new programmes, namely Water Resources, Urban and Rural Planning and Maritime Institute, all under the environmental sciences.
Dean of the faculty, Prof. Ifeanyi Enete commended the Vice Chancellor for approving the new programmes, which he said, were awaiting accreditation, expressing optimism of his continued support to the faculty.
He also eulogised the benefactors, urging them not to rest on their oars.
Head of Department of Estate Management, Dr. Celestine Ugonabo praised the vice-chancellor for approving the remodeling aimed at providing an enabling environment to make staff more productive.
“On behalf of the staff of the department, I express our gratitude for magnanimously approving our request to remodel the hitherto classroom into offices to address the need for more offices for the teeming number of our staff without offices and conducive environment where they counsel students”, he said.
One of the benefactors, Mr. Ekweoba, CEO of Arnold and Associates, a leading Real Estate Development Company in Anambra state, said the gesture was informed by his desire to solve office space challenge faced by lecturers in the department, and the university at large.
He disclosed that over 20 students had benefitted from his scholarship package at different points to enable them graduate seamlessly.
Similarly, the CEO of Sure Homes & Land, Mr. Osorachukwu Ani said the desire to give back to the department that made him prompted his partnership with Arnold and Associates to provide conducive working environment for the staff of the Estate Management.
While promising to assist in furnishing the offices, Ani called on the department to maintain the offices.
Earlier, Dr. Onyejiaka said the benefactors graduated from the Department of Estate Management in 2015, and assured that he would continue to make efforts to attract similar projects.
“I approached Mr. Arnold in 2021, requesting him to contribute his quota as a corporate social responsibility to his alma mater. They agreed to fund the project from start to finish,” he noted.
