Fifty
years after they blazed a trail as the first Made in Nigeria graduates, the
University of Nigeria is rolling out the drums to honour the 1963 class.
The
Golden Jubilee celebration of the UNN Pioneers is part of activities to mark
the 53rd Founder’s Day. Vice
Chancellor Professor Bartho Okolo said Wednesday that UNN is celebrating the
pioneers because the University earned its reputation for excellence based on
their performance on graduation.
Records
show that the University of Nigeria admitted 200 persons on October 7, 1960 but
150 persons graduated three years later in 1963. UNN was the first full-fledged
wholly indigenous university in Nigeria; it beat a new path of offering its own
degrees from inception rather than being tied to an existing institution.
Okolo, the 13th Vice chancellor of
the University of Nigeria, said there were many reasons to celebrate the
pioneers.
He stated, “Firstly,
they were the results of an experiment in higher education, aptly dubbed the
Nsukka experiment and championed by Nigeria’s first president, Rt. Hon. (Dr)
Nnamdi Azikiwe. Secondly, the circumstance of the establishment of the
University of Nigeria was such that bystanders wondered what manner of
graduates these men and women would turn out to be. It was reported that their
excellent performance at the next national civil service exams was the
beginning of the reputation of excellence at University of Nigeria.
“It is against this
background that we celebrate this generation of distinguished graduates on
whose shoulders our much cherished reputation first rested. We salute them. We
congratulate them. We salute them for the legacy of excellence which they
bequeathed to us,” he said.
Other events for the
53rd Founders’ Day and Golden Jubilee of the Pioneers include
lectures by distinguished public servants who are also alumni. On
Saturday 5th October, 2013, Dr. Kingsley Chiedu Moghalu, the Deputy
Governor (Financial System Stability) at Central Bank of Nigeria will deliver
the first lecture titled “Human Capital
Dimension of Transformation.” He is a distinguished alumnus of the
University of Nigeria, class of 86, whose experience cuts across legal
practice, diplomacy, journalism and financial management.
Dr Humphrey Umunna Orjiakor,
Ambassador/Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations based in
Geneva, would speak on “Higher Education
Experiment in Nigeria – the Nsukka Experience, 53 years After,”
on Monday, October 7.
The Vice
Chancellor remarked that the Founders’ Day offers the institution a chance to
reflect on what it has achieved over the years in relation to the mandate it
received at inception. He said, “The 53rd Founders’ Day celebration
is unique in the sense that we are celebrating another milestone - the golden
jubilee of the first graduates of the University of Nigeria.”
Speaking further, the
Vice-Chancellor said, “The unique history of the University of Nigeria and the
remarkable men and women whose vision and foresight gave birth to the University
just after Nigeria gained independence from colonial rule. Notable amongst
these men were the first president of Nigeria, the Rt. Hon. Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe,
who was the first visitor to the university and later-on the chancellor of the
university and Mr. E. U. Akpabio, the Minister for Education in the former
Eastern Nigeria, who moved the motion for the establishment of the university.”
He described the first graduates of the university
as “first generation of Lions and Lionesses, who numbered just 200 on admission
and bore the registration numbers of 60/001 to 60/200, deserve a special
celebration for more reasons than one.”
Prof. Okolo noted that his vision
is for the university to become “a functional, globally competitive &
research-focused university which is responsive to the needs of the society,
and delivers world-class education and Knowledge. Thus, the University of my
Vision is one with a befitting environmental ambience and adequate ultramodern
infrastructure fitted with modern cutting edge teaching and research
facilities. It is also a university which collaborates with many reputable
universities across the world in diverse disciplines and one whose faculty and
graduates can compete with their peers from across the globe.”
He said he aims to place the institution at the
forefront of research and development, innovation, knowledge generation and
knowledge dissemination, human resource development and community service. UNN,
he said, has witnessed environmental and infrastructural upgrade with newly
completed buildings and some at various stages of completion.
Prof Okolo added that the institution has pursued
a programme of internationalization that involves the revitalisation of
existing relationships and the establishment of over 50 new mutually rewarding
partnerships with reputable higher education institutions across the globe.
This he noted will increase the visibility of the university on the global
stage. He said these collaborations would continue to create opportunities for
our faculty to improve their research and teaching competencies by exposure to
global best practices
He said his administration would continue to
sustain the standard of employment to first class graduates and best graduating
students of good universities.
“As at the last count, over 300 of such young
scholars have been hired. Through the many partnerships, which we established
with universities overseas, TETFUND grant, the Fulbright scholarship, the
Commonwealth scholarship and many other grant outlets including internally
generated resources, we are able to create opportunities for these young
academics to be exposed to international best practices in teaching, research
and administration, Prof. Okolo said.
Box:
The UNN Pioneers of 1963
1.
Abaronye, David
Uruakpa Ihemegbulam, B.A.
2.
Abbey-Kalio, Owen
Tamunomiebi, B.A.
3.
Abomezy, Charles,
Kingson, B.Sc, Soc. Sc
4.
Adedio, Michael
Alasa, B.sc. Soc. Sc
5.
Adekunle, Mobolaji
Adeleke B.A.
6.
Adelaja, Kolawole,
B.sc. Soc Sc
7.
Aghahiwe, Sylvanus
Ezonwune, B.sc. Soc. Sc
8.
Agusiegbe, Luke Inekwe,
B.A
9.
Ahanonu, Harford
Chukubike, B.A.
10. Akpan,
Bassey Etim, B.A.
11. Akwah,
Comfort, Aina Eyiuche, B.A.
12. Akwenuke,
Samson Warri, B.A.
13. Anih,
Martin Okechukwu, B.Sc. Soc Sc
14. Anozie,
Sunday Samuel Ogbonna, B.A.
15. Anyake,
Johnson Beluchi Chukuma, B.A
16. Anyanwu,
Clement Nnorom, B.A
17. Anyanwu,
Eugene Onyemechilauzo, B.sc. Soc Sc
18. Araoye,
Theophilus Olufemi, B.A.
19. Arunsi,
Nnaoke Okere, B.A.
20. Asiegbu,
Johnson Uzoha B.A.
21. Attah,
Ben Effiong, B.Sc. Soc Sc
22. Awoyegbe,
Hilarion Napoleon, B.sc. Soc Sc
23. Ayela-Uwangue,
Samuel Irow, B.A
24. Brown,
Bullette Benibo, B.Sc Soc Sc
25. Chine,
Clement Ekwunife, B.A.
26. Chuka,
Urbanus Amalachukwu, B.A.
27. Chukumba,
Stephen Uneze, B.A.
28. Chukwurah,
Kenneth Chidike, B.A.
29. Ebonine, Silas Nwankpa Dick, B.A.
30. Efobi,
Francis Ezennia, B.Sc Soc Sc
31. Egudu,
Romanus Nnagbo, B.A.
32. Egungwu,
Vincent Nwafor, B.Sc Soc Sc
33. Ehiede,
Samson Oisamoren, B.A
34. Egwuonwu, Maria Nkem B.A.
35. Ejiofor,
Catherine Onuekwumma B.A.
36. Ekemode, Gabriel Ogunniyi B.A.
37. Eleazu,
Ibeabuchi Nwaobani, B.A
38. Elemo,
Janet Olufunmilayo, B.A
39. Emembolu,
Gregory Egozue, B.sc Soc Sc
40. Ene,
Christopher Nzekwe, B.A.
41. Esedebe, Peter Olisanwuche, B.A.
42. Esoru,
Isaac Uchechukwu, B.sc Soc. Sc
43. Eya,
Isaac Nduka, B.A.
44. Eze,
Godson Eeja, B.sc Soc Sc
45. Ezechukwu,
Godson Ogbunanwa, B.Sc Soc Sc
46. Ezeukwu,
Joel Nnaemeka, B.A.
47. Ezimora,
Andrew Ubaluamike, B.Sc Soc Sc
48. Fafiade,
Florence Adeyanju, B.A
49. Fagbeja,
John Olaniyan, B.A.
50. Fagbolagun,
Cornelius Olabiyi, B.sc Soc Sc
51. Folayan,
Johnson Oyetunji, B.A.
52. Ibe,
Edna Ngozichukwuka B.A.
53. Ifezulike,
Samuel Ekemezie, B.A
54. Igboanugo,
Aloysius Obi B.sc Soc Sc
55. Igweaka,
Alexander Nnamulue, B.A.
56. Iheme,
Samuel Chukwuemeka, B.sc Soc Sc
57. Ijeoma,
John Nna, B.A
58. Ijomah,
Benedict Chukwumah, B.sc Soc Sc
59. Ikechebelu,
Clement Chukwuemeka, B.A.
60. Ikoiwak,
Akpan Abasi, B.A.
61. Inyama,
Ogonnaya Mgboro, B.A.
62. Inyang,
Etim Ebong B.sc Soc Sc
63. Inyiama,
Thomas Aniche, B.A.
64. John,
Valentine Effiong B.A.
65. Maduabum,
Jerome, B.Sc Soc Sc
66. Mba,
Mba Kalu, B.A.
67. Mbanefo,
Peter Ikebude, B.sc Soc Sc
68. Mbuagbaw,
Tami Eyong, B.sc Soc Sc
69. Metu,
Richard Anyanaso B.sc Soc Sc
70. Mgbolu,
Benedict Onyema, B.sc Soc Sc
71. Momoh,
Mark Igbede, B.sc Soc Sc
72. Nduneri,
Emmanuel Ukachukwu, B.sc Soc Sc
73. Ngene,
Paul Chukwumah, B.sc Soc Sc
74. Njoku,
Fidelis Gabriel, B.A.
75. Njoku,
Gabriel Chukwunyere, B.A.
76. Nkwoh,
Marius Ugorji Etuo Fuchukwu, B.A.
77. Nnolim,
Christopher Nnadi, B.A.
78. Ntia,
James Johnson, B.A.
79. Nwachukwu,
Julius Kemjika, B.A.
80. Nwachukwu,
Peter Enebeli, B.sc Soc Sc
81. Nwako,
Sylvanus Aniebona, B.A.
82. Nwamefor,
Raphael Chianumba, B.A.
83. Nweke,
Emmanuel Anyaegbua, B.A.
84. Nwobodo,
Joseph Chiweuba, B.A.
85. Nwodika,
Walter Achukwu, B.A.
86. Nwodo,
Grace Uchenna, B.A.
87. Obe,
Ernest Olagbade, B.sc Soc. Sc
88. Obidiegwu,
Anthony Osita, B.sc Soc Sc
89. Oderinde,
Samuel Olorunsola, B.A.
90. Odidika,
Paulinus Chukwunewubeze, B.Sc Soc. Sc
91. Odum,
Benjamin Chinaka, B.A.
92. Ofiaja, Nicholas Dimkpa, B.A.
93. Ofochebe, Godfrey Nnabuike, B.Sc Soc.Sc
94. Ofoegbu,
Mazi Raymond, B.sc Soc Sc
95. Ogbodo,
David Ogbonnaya, B.A.
96. Ogbokuma,
Ogbu Thomas, B.Sc Soc Sc
97. Ogbonna,
Raphael Emmanuel B.A.
98. Oguchi, Jerome Osita B.sc Soc Sc
99. Ogunseitan,
Olabode Titus, B.Sc Soc. Sc
100.
Ohashiegbula,
Alexander Onyegbula, B.Sc Soc Sc
101.
Oji, Mgbechi, B.A.
102.
Ojo, Albert Williams
Ayodele, B.A.
103.
Okafor, Edwin Ewudo,
B.A
104.
Okafro, Gabriel
Nnabuife, B.A.
105.
Okam, Hilary Hypolite
Ikechukwu, B.A.
106.
Okany, Malachy
Alphonsus Chuba, B.sc Soc Sc
107.
Okere, Theophilus
Chukwuemeka, B.Sc. Soc Sc
108.
Okereke, Kelechi Bobo,
B.A.
109.
Okereke, Ngozi Furo
Ada, B.A.
110.
Okerezi, Onoh Oji,
B.A.
111.
Okonkwo, Evelyn
Ngozi, B.A.
112.
Okonkwo, John Charles
Ifeanyichukwu, B.A.
113.
Okorie, Raymond
Enyeribe, B.A.
114.
Okoye, Godfrey
Amaechi, B.sc Soc Sc
115.
Okpalla, Cosmas
Ozoemene, B.sc Soc Sc
116.
Okpalaoka, Charles
Ikebuna, B.sc Soc Sc
117.
Olowokure, John
Olusanya, B.A.
118.
Omoregie, Solomon
Boniface, B.A.
119.
Ononiwu, Cyril Ebuzo
Anozie, B.A.
120.
Onu, Peter Uchebuaku,
B.sc Soc Sc
121.
Onwuteaka, Victoria
Chineme, B.sc Soc Sc
122.
Onyecherelam, Jaja
Okogbue, B.sc Soc Sc
123.
Onyegbuna, Sydney Ozoemena,
B.A.
124.
Oragwu, Lawrence
Chiemeka, B.sc Soc Sc
125.
Orisakwe, Livinus
Onwuanmkpe, B.A.
126.
Ossai, Christopher
Chukwuemena, B.sc Soc Sc
127.
Osilana, Ayoola, B.A.
128.
Osuagwu, Harold
Godson Okwulehi, B.sc Soc Sc
129.
Osuagwu, Christian
Onwuesiama, B.A.
130.
Otite, Kingsley John Onigu,
B.sc Soc Sc
131.
Otuonye, Michael
Ejike, BA
132.
Oyediran, Abraham
Oyebisi, B.sc Soc Sc
133.
Oyenuga, Christopher
Modupe, B.A.
134.
Ozo, Christopher
Joseph Uzoma, B.A.
135.
Ozoemene, Kanayo
Nwuwa, B.Sc Soc Sc
136.
Taiwo, Timothy
Atanda, B.Sc Soc Sc
137.
Toby, Gabriel
Tamunobiegbere George, B.sc Soc Sc
138.
Ubakanma, Isaac
Chukwukalo, B.A.
139.
Udoffa, Secondus
Mathew, B.A.
140.
Udokwu, Joseph Chike,
B.sc Soc Sc
141.
Udu, Ewa, B.sc Soc Sc
142.
Ukaga, Gabriel
Canice, B.A.
143.
Ukonu, Sydney
Chukwuma, B.sc Soc Sc
144.
Umoh, Essien Ben,
B.sc Soc Sc
145.
Umunna, Lawrence
Okoji, B.sc Soc Sc
146.
Umunna, Victor
Ifeandu, B.sc Soc Sc
147.
Usifo, Valentine,
B.sc Soc Sc
148.
Uwalaka, Emmanuel
Chukwuemeka, B.A.
149.
Uwasomba, Julius
Opara B.sc Soc Sc
150.
Uzomba, Godwin
Onyegbulaonweya, B.A
The pioneer set of UNN went on to record many
other firsts and had illustrious careers as civil servants, diplomats, and
scholars. Many of the scholars made
remarkable pioneering contributions and include Prof Onigu Otite, Prof B.C
Ijomah, the literary scholar Prof Romanus Egudu and the political scientists
Mazi Ray Ofoegbu, a professor, and Peter Onu.
Gabriel Toby rose to be head of service then
Deputy Governor of the old and larger Rivers State. Elder statesman Chief Nduka
Eya was one of the pioneers of the civil service of Eastern Nigeria and rose to
be head of service in Anambra State.
Pioneers P. Olisanwuche Esedebe and J Okoro
Ijomah, writing in University of Nigeria
1960-1985: An Experiment in Higher Education, recalled the ridicule initial
students suffered from the media, the public and students at the University College,
Ibadan over some of the courses introduced by UNN including the General Studies
programme. “The idea of B.A. Nsukka instead of B.A. London became a standing
joke. ‘Can you imagine’, asked one newspaper editor, ‘a Nigerian university
with M.A. Awo-Omama, Ph.D Onitsha and LL.B Jamkara and LL.M Oshogbo’. He did
not foresee that barely four years after the inception of the University, B.A.
(A.B.U), B.A. (Ife), B.A (Lagos) would be a reality and a little later B.A.
(Benin), B.A. Port Harcourt) B.A Jos, B.A. Sokoto., B.A. Kano, B.A. (Calabar)
and so on. Undaunted by what proved to be misguided criticisms, the authorities
at Nsukka wisely stuck to the General Studies programme.”
Almost all universities in the country now have a
General Studies component for broadening the knowledge of students across
disciplines.
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