Rebuilding the Den: the journey so far

Whenever the lion’s den is mentioned, what easily comes to mind is the Biblical story of Daniel whose unwavering belief in God saved him from being devoured by hungry lions. But in this context, the “Den” metaphorically refers to the environment of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where fertile minds are groomed and nurtured to challenge and subdue societal problems like hungry lions. It confers a sense of pride and deserved intellectual arrogance on students and alumni of the University of Nigeria whenever they are called lions and lionesses, a name that has its root in academic excellence and fearlessness of the Institution’s graduates in the face of daunting societal challenges. 

When the University of Nigeria was established at the wake of Nigerian independence in 1960 by the  Eastern Nigeria government, the founding fathers of the Institution were anxious to put their vision to work. They could not wait longer to jump-start the process of restoring the dignity of man, a dignity that was mangled by poverty, deprivation and the dehumanising effect of slave trade and colonialism. They were in a hurry to commence the training of leaders who will solve Nigerian problems and help spark the cultural renaissance of Africa, a continent that was seen by the Western lords as incapable of leading itself and solving its own domestic problems. The need to realize their vision was so urgent that the great men, led by Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, could not wait for skyscrapers to be erected before the University took off. Instead, lectures were held in prefabricated buildings. But, it was a case of treasures in earthen vessels as the quality of graduates produced by the Institution was more sophisticated than the environment where there were trained. Expectedly, the University’s excellent academic record earned it an enviable glory in Nigeria and beyond.

However, the Nigerian civil war that started in 1967 punctured the progressive march of the University. By the time the war ended in 1970, the University was in ruins, its laboratories were despoiled, its fledging infrastructure was reduced to rumble and some of her leading academics died in the war. Things in the university completely fell apart, and then it was a battle to revive the soul of the Institution.

Rebuilding the Den therefore became a daunting task which begged for urgent and comprehensive attention.  Successive administrations of the university made efforts to address the challenge, but it was not until 1982, under the administration of Prof Frank N. Ndili, as Vice-Chancellor, that a significant effort was made to jump-start major infrastructure development in the priority phase of the institution’s development plan. Some projects were initiated, including the new university library building, Faculty of Arts buildings, Division of General Studies buildings and some staff residential quarters.

 However, after the regime of Prof. Ndili, there was a lull in major infrastructure development until 2004 when Prof. Chinedu Nebo became the Vice-Chancellor. Prof Nebo’s administration completed the new Nnamdi Azikiwe Library, which is reputed to be the biggest academic library in Africa. He stabilized the academic calendar of the University and executed a number of development projects.

On June 9, 2009 the baton of leadership of the University was passed on to Prof Bartholomew Ndubuisi Okolo,
Professor Okolo took over the administration of the University at a time it became imperative to change the traditional role of teaching, learning and research adapted by the University, to those driven by information technology, in order to keep the Institution afloat in the globally competitive academic terrain. The challenge therefore was not only developing physical infrastructure but also the essential cyber infrastructure that will help advance research generated by faculties and students of the University.

Many pessimists thought that the problems of the University would overwhelm Prof Okolo, but little did they know that he came prepared for the job. As an insider, who had been in the services of the University since 1986, he knew where the problem lay, and as a widely travelled scholar; the Vice-chancellor understood how the environment of a 21st century university should look like, and was ready to replicate laudable innovations in other universities in the University of Nigeria.

On assumption of office, he articulated his dream for the University of Nigeria in a vision statement thus; “to create a functional, globally competitive and research focused University of Nigeria which is not just an Ivory tower, but responsive to the needs of society while delivering world class education and knowledge”. This vision was anchored on four cardinal goals which include; improving the state of Infrastructure, enhancing staff competence and output, fostering new strategic alliances and creating enabling environment for sustained excellent performance.
  
Four years after, Prof Okolo’s administration has pursued the four points agenda with amazing rapidity which justifies his anger at the deplorable state of infrastructure in the University. 

In the area of infrastructure upgrade, the administration has completed many structural projects, and more than 7 kilometres of link roads spread across the campuses.  Some of the completed projects include; new university main gate, Presidential Guest House Complex, Nsukka Campus ( 3 buildings containing 7 suites & 18 rooms, administrative block containing kitchen, bar & restaurant , Gymnasium and Swimming Pool), International Scholars Village, Nsukka Campus (83 rooms en suite, restaurant/bar), Rehabilitation and upgrade of School of General Studies, Nsukka Campus, Remodelling of information and Public Relations Building as well as Department of Economics building, remodelling & expansion of Personnel Building, Nsukka Campus, Construction, furnishing & equipping of Shell-CEMAC Building, Enugu Campus, Centre of Excellence for financial studies at the Enugu Campus,  among others. Besides the completed projects are legion of  on-going projects, many of them in their final phases of completion, such as the new administrative building at Enugu campus, School of Postgraduate studies complex, Institute of African Studies complex, just to mention but a few.  

In creating enabling environment for sustained excellent performance, the administration has extensively landscaped the University surroundings, equipped laboratories with state-of-the-art apparatus, installed Hitachi smart boards in lecture theatres and classrooms, planted trees and flowers to give the institutions environment the desirable ambience, keep naming.

At the last count, the University management had sent more than 40 of its young staff abroad for further training as part of its vision to enhance staff competence and output. Also, many workshops and conferences have been organised for both academic and non academic staff. Just recently, the university administration collaborated with UNESCO to train academic staff on the use of mobile phones to generate instructional materials and deliver lectures to students.

Similarly, the Prof Okolo-led administration has forged more than 30 collaborations and partnerships  with other universities in the world to facilitate staff and students exchange programmes,  research and training, faculty visits, and curriculum exchange. Some of the collaborating institutions include: University of Maryland, USA, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, University of Hokaido, Japan, Michigan state university, University of Holy Spirit, Brazil, among others.  Of equal importance is the administration’s partnership with the private sector which has led to the construction of multi-billion Naira buildings, including the on-going Ifeanyi Uba Data Centre, Shell CEMAC Building at Enugu campus, Prof. B.I.C Ijeoma Dept of Sociology building, among others. 

   
 Interestingly, the effort of Prof. Okolo’s administration has not gone unnoticed by staff, students and guests of the University. They have applauded his administration’s effort to improve the quality of academic activities and the ambience of the university environment. For instance, the former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo could not hide his amazement at the level of construction works in the University when he visited in 2011. He remarked that the Institution was a “big construction site”.

Also, the Senate Chairman, House Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, after inspecting some projects at the university, said; “My impression about the oversight visit here is one of a very massive transformation going on here, and it confirms the general impression I share with the people that leadership is pivotal in any social phenomena. Whatever you talk about the flow of history, whatever you talk about changes in any larger environment, the catalyst is always the quality of leadership.

“Coming back to Nsukka after some years, when I was here to deliver a lecture, I could not believe this is the same place I have been to five years ago. There is a massive change in infrastructural facility, in landscape and in general environment. For the first time, I feel that University of Nigeria, Nsukka, is at last coming back to its former glory as one of the first generation universities in the country,” 

  
Similarly, the Chairperson, Clean Project Ltd, Dr (Mrs) Virgy  Anohu, said “my greatest respect and gratitude go to the VC, Prof Bartho Okolo whose transformative agenda is intimidating, genuine and reformative. He and his team have shown that they have a vision, and have courageously pursued this vision translating to the restoration of the dignity of man in UNN. I thank him for giving us back an institution all of us are proud to be associated with”.

There is no doubt that the University of Nigeria has a bright future, if the tempo of the current infrastructure delivery is sustained, in few years time the world class aspiration of the Institution will no longer be a vision but a reality. It is therefore imperative for all lovers of   development and disciples of excellence to join forces with the university administration and be part of its success story to global prominence.

Inya, Agha E.

UNN Faculty of Agriculture boosts Food Security

The Faculty of Agriculture, University of Nigeria, Nsukka recently took a step toward boosting food security in the country when it held a flag off ceremony for the 2013 harvest season in the University. The Faculty usually engages its fourth year students in practical farming in the Nsukka campus of the University in order to make them accomplished farmers upon graduation.

Speaking during the flag off ceremony for this year’s harvest, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Bartho N. Okolo, who was represented by the Ag. Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. A. A. Ubachukwu, commended the faculty of Agriculture for bouncing back to the things they were known for.  He said “The faculty is getting back to its lost glory in food production”.

Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, Prof. Simeon O Ugwu explained that various crops such as garden eggs, maize, cassava, seed yams were grown on the practical farm, stating that  some of them were ready for harvest. Among the crops harvested were maize and garden eggs.
Prof. Ugwu lauded the efforts of the Chairman, Agriculture Productivity Committee of the faculty, Dr. C. U. Agbo and other members of the committee as well as the Coordinator of the fourth year programme, Dr. S. C. Eze.

He added that food security could only be guaranteed when all people, at all times, have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.

In his own contribution, Dr. Austin Ani of the Department of Animal Science remarked that the new effort in reviving agriculture is indeed a welcome idea. He extolled the Dean for his determination to revive not only crop production but also animal production in the faculty. He remarked that if the land was put into full use, there would be guaranteed food security for the university community as well as revenue for the university.

In addition, the Farm Manager, Farm Operations Department, Mr. Chika Abacha Kanu said that the success of today’s event would encourage the fourth year students to work harder and give them a sense of belonging as their effort was being recognized.

Mr. Kanu appealed to the University administration to come to their aid by assisting them with manpower and electricity. He pointed out that without adequate manpower, output will be low.

It would be recalled that UNN was established as a land grant university. The aim was not only to provide food for its immediate community but also to the external publics.

Highpoint of the occasion was the plucking of a maize cob by the Vice-Chancellor and subsequent eating of both cooked and roasted maize.

Olanrewaju Ajala

 
UNN and Howard University to collaborate in Pharmacy, Medicine, Nursing and Law

Historic black higher institution Howard University of America is to collaborate with the University of Nigeria Nsukka through faculty and student exchanges in key disciplines of pharmacy, medicine, nursing, dentistry and law.

The collaboration follows extensive discussions and meetings involving a UNN team led by Vice Chancellor Professor Bartholomew Okolo and officials of Howard University led by Provost and Chief Academic Officer Professor Wayne A.I. Fredrick.  The University of Nigeria team met with their Howard counterparts on Friday, August 16 at the Howard campus in Maryland, Washington DC, USA.
 
The collaborations, as solicited by the UNN Vice-Chancellor, would include staff and student exchanges, joint workshops and conferences, shared curricula and joint grant applications. Both parties are working on the memorandum of understanding covering the agreement.

The Howard University team comprised of Provost Fredrick, Dr Alvin Thornton, senior academic adviser to the President, Dean of the College of Pharmacy Dr. Anthony Wutoh, Dean of the College of Medicine Dr Mark Johnson and Dean of the College of Nursing and Applied Sciences Dr Mary Hill.

On the mission with Okolo were Professor Anene Moneke, Senior Special Assistant to the VC on Projects and Head, Department of Microbiology, Professor Ben Ogwo, Director Centre for Technical Vocational Education, Training and Research and Dr Bennet Nwanguma, Senior Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor on Special Duties.

Howard University is a federally chartered, private, coeducational, non-sectarian, historically black university. Founded in 1867, Howard University is one of only 48 U.S. private, Doctoral/Research-Extensive universities, comprising 12 schools and colleges with 10,500 students enjoying academic pursuits in more than 120 areas of study leading to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees. The University continues to attract the nation’s top students and produces more on-campus African-American Ph.D.s than any other university in the world. Since 1998, the University has produced a Rhodes Scholar, a Truman Scholar, six Fulbright Scholars and nine Pickering Fellows.

Founder of UNN, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe is a notable alumnus of Howard University.  So is current President of the institution H. Patrick Swygert, the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall; the first African-American governor L. Douglas Wilder; Nobel Laureate and Pulitzer Prize-winning author Toni Morrison; Savage Holdings LLC CEO and Howard Board of Trustees Chairman Frank Savage. Others include Emmy Award-winning actress Phylicia Rashad; opera singer Jessye Norman; actress, producer and director Debbie Allen; the first African-American president of the American College of Surgeons, Dr. LaSalle Leffall, Jr.; attorney, civil rights leader and Wall St. executive Vernon Jordan; former mayor and United Nations Ambassador Andrew Young; and the first female mayor of Atlanta, Shirley Franklin.

University of Nigeria is the first full-fledged university in Nigeria, founded in Nigeria’s independence year 1960. The 53-year old institution runs diverse programmes in arts and sciences featuring 15 faculties, 105 departments and seven directorates charged with special projects. It has a student body of 40, 000 in four campuses of Nsukka, Enugu, Ituku Ozalla and Aba.
   
The main campus in Nsukka houses programmes in agriculture, basic and biological sciences, engineering, arts and social sciences while the Enugu campus houses professional courses in management, architecture, law and environmental sciences. The College of Medicine, with a teaching and referral hospital, is located at Ituku-Ozalla, on the outskirts of the Enugu state capital, while the School of Languages is located at Aba, in Abia State.

The collaboration with Howard University is in line with a programme by University Management under Okolo’s leadership to pursue institutional advancement and revive the original vision of building a global centre of learning in Nsukka. UNN has entered collaborations with no fewer than 40 institutions across four continents since 2009.

Contact Details

Name:Professor Emmanuel N. Obikili

Email Address:

Phone Number: +2348033827987

Contact Address:emmanuel.obikili@unn.edu.ng

Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine,      
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

Brief Biography

Education: (Degrees, starting from the highest, with dates and granting bodies.)               
a.    FWACS                                  2001          WACS
b.    FMCR                                         2001          MCR
c.    M Sc.                                          1991          University of Calabar
d.    MB,BS                                        1984          College of  Medicine, University of Ibadan
e.    G.C.E ‘A’ LEVEL                      1979          Federal School of Arts and Science, Lagos
f.    WASC                                         1977          B. M. G. S. Adazi-Nnukwu

Teaching and Professional Experience ( starting from current
a.    Professor   2006 till date
b.    President, Society of Experimental and Clinical Anatomists of Nigeria (SECAN)  till    date
c.    Fellow, Anatomical Society of Nigeria
d.    Member, Association of Radiologists of West Africa
e.    Ag. Head, Department of Anatomy  1992-1994, 2006-2008, 2010-2011
f.    College Dean (Preclinical)  2000-2002
g.    Member, Nigerian Medical Association
h.    Senior Lecturer   1992
i.    Lecturer I             1991
j.    Lecturer II           1987
k.    Resident in Radiation Medicine, UNTH, Enugu 1986 - 1987
l.    NYSC, Oyo state    1985 - 1986
m.    House officer , Parklane General Hospital, Enugu   1984 - 1985                  
          

Publications
1.    Obikili EN, Singh SP. Secular growth trend in adult structure of Nigerians. Orient Journal of Medicine 1992; 4 :44-47
2.    Obikili EN.  Cormic index of young adult Nigerian Ibos. Orient Journal of Medicine 1992; 5:128-132.
3.    Obikili EN, Ude AC. Pelvic phleboliths in a Nigerian population. West African  Journal of Radiology 1998; 5:
4.    Ani COC, Okoye IJ, Obikili EN, Agwuna KK, Enweani UN, Umerah BC. Clinically occult ruptured diaphragm. West African  Journal of Radiology 1999; 6:4-6
5.    Obikili EN, Jiburum BC, Okoye IJ, Ude AC, Onuh AC, Umerah BC. Cranio-orbital neurofibromatosis with gross erosions of the right hemi-mandible in a Nigerian: a case report. West African  Journal of Radiology 1999; 6:11-16
6.    Obikili EN, Okoye IJ, Mgbor SO.  AIDS-related  giant renal abscess in a young adult Nigerian. West African  Journal of Radiology 2000; 7:35-37.
7.    Obikili EN, Singh SP. Sex dimorphism in the adult stature of a Nigerian population. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy, 2002; 1: 36-39.
8.    Obikili EN., Okoye IJ. Sonographic diagnosis of vesico-vaginal fistula: a case report. West African Journal of  Ultrasound, 2002; 3:32-34 .
9.    Obikili EN. A comical dissection of the heart of the mottos of some Nigerian States. Journal of College of Medicine, 2003; 8: 45-47.
10.    Obikili EN, Okoye IJ, Onwuasoigwe O, Ude AC, Umerah BC. Polyostotic fibrous dysplasia with auditory impairment and delayed menarche in a Nigerian. Central African Journal of Medicine, 2003; 29: 114-117.
11.     Obikili  EN, Ohaegbulam C, Ekanem TB. Aligwekwe U, Singh SP. Cephalic index in a young adult Nigerian population. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy, 2004; 3:4-7.
12.    Obikili EN. The anatomy of the head and the heart: a comical application to family life. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy, 2004; 3:67.
13.    Obikili EN., Okoye IJ. Aortic arch diameter  in frontal chest radiographs of a normal Nigerian population. Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 2004; 13:171-174.
14.    Ozumba BC, Obi SN, Obikili EN, Waboso P. Age, symptoms and perception of menopause among Nigerian women. J Obstet Gynaecol Ind  2004; 54 (6): 574-578.
15.    Obikili EN, Okoye IJ. Transverse cardiac diameter in frontal chest radiographs of a normal adult Nigerian population. Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 2005: 14 (3): 295-298
16.     Obikili EN, Okoye IJ, Jiburum BC. An unusual bone infarct in a young adult sickler. Annals of African Medicine, 2005; 4(2) 91-92
17.    Mgbor SO, Ezegwui HU, Obikili EN, Ikeme AC, Onuh AC, Onwasigwe C. Perception of hysterosalpingogram by infertile women in a developing country. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. 2005; 25 (5):504-505
18.    Obikili EN., Okoye IJ, Yangni-Angate, N’Gbesso RD. Cardiothoracic ratio in frontal chest radiographs of a normal adult Nigerian population. Journal Africain Imagerie Medicale  2005; 1 (8):554-561
19.    Obikili EN. Esom EA. Ezepue. Performance of students in Anatomy in the 2nd MB BS examinations. Orient Journal of Medicine  2006; 18 (1&2):
20.    Obikili EN, Okoye I J, Onuh A. Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva in a Nigerian: a case report. African Journal of Medicine and Medical Sciences  2006; 35:177-180
21.    Obikili EN. Biacromial and biiliac diameters in a young adult Southeastern Nigerian      population . Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy 2006; 5(1):59-62.
22.    Obikili EN, Didia BC. Foot dimensions of a young adult Nigerian  population.  Port Harcourt Medical Journal 2006; 1:22-24
23.    Obikili EN and Nwoye LO. Indices of obesity derived from weight and height. Nigerian Journal of Medicine, 2006; Jul-Sep : 219-221
24.    Obikili EN, Okoye IJ. Transverse thoracic diameter in frontal chest radiographs of an  adult Nigerian population. West African  Journal of Medicine, 2006 Jul-Sep; 25 (3) 186-189.
25.    Ewunonu EO, Ekanem TB, Egwu OA, Eteudo AN, Ugwu AC, Akpa AOC, Obikili EN      The facial index of Nigerian Igbos. Journal of Biomedical Sciences in Africa, 2006; 4(1):33-36.
26.    Obikili EN. Husband and wife dialogue. Journal of College of Medicine,    
    2007; 12: 113-114
27.    Obikili EN. The role of jokes in the teaching of Anatomy. Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy 2008; 7(2):28-30.
28.      Obikili EN, Obioha F. Okoye IJ. Collodiaphyseal angle. West African  Journal of Radiology 2008
29.    Anyanwu GE, Obikili EN. Variations of the proximal attachment of the biceps brachii muscle in a Nigerian population. International Journal of Anatomical Variations 2009; 2:91-92
30.    Anyanwu GE, Obikili EN,  Esom AE, Ozoemana FN.  Prevalence and pattern of communication of median and musculocutaneous nerves within the black population: Nigeria - a case study.  International Journal of Biomedical and Health Sciences. 2009; 5 (2):87-94
31.    Anyanwu EG, Obikili EN. Variations of the proximal attachment of the biceps brachii muscle
     in a Nigerian population. International Journal of Anatomical Variations 2009; 2: 91–92 
32.    32. Eze JN, Obikil EN, Ezepue UF, Ozoemena OFN, Esom EA. Patterns of Handedness and Socio-cultural Influences on Dextrality Amongst University of Nigeria Medical Students.Journal of Experimental and Clinical Anatomy  2009;l8 (2):20
33.    Nwachukwu DC, Nwagha UI, Obikili EN, Ejezie FE, Okwuosa CN, Nweke ML, Ezeh CO. Assessment of body mass index and blood pressure among     university students in, Enugu, South East, Nigeria. Niger J Med. 2010 Apr-Jun;19(2):148-52
34.    Obikili EN, Okoye IJ, Anyanwu GE.  Aortic and heart dimensions of children and adolescents in a Nigerian population.. Biomedical Research 2010; 21(2): 195-198
35.    Anyanwu GE, Udemezue OO, Obikili EN. Dark age of sourcing cadavers in developing countries: A Nigerian survey. Clinical Anatomy 2011; 24(7): 831-836
36.    Anyanwu EG, Obikili EN. Dissecting the dissectors: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of body bequests by Nigerian anatomists. Anat Sci Educ. 2012 Nov;5(6):347-53.
BOOKS:
1. MANUAL OF PRACTICAL HITOLOGY,    OBIKILI EN, NWOSU EO
(Published in 2006 by Institute For Development Studies, UNEC)
2. FROM THE HEART, OBIKILI E N (2004 by Jameson Broadman Press, Lagos)

 Research Proposals Assessment, SPSS          

Contact Details

Name:Dr. A. Agu

Email Address: augustine.agu@unn.edu.ng

Phone Number: +2348038742059

Contact Address:a

Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine,      
University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

Brief Biography

Education: (Degrees, starting from the highest, with dates and granting bodies.)
a.    MSc. (ANATOMY)                                                   2011       UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, NSUKKA
b.    NMC                                                                          2009       MEDICAL AND DENTAL COUNCIL OF NIGERIA
c.    NYSC CERTIFICATE                                                  2006       NYSC
d.    COMPUTER BASIC AND DATA PROCESSING      2006       COMPUTER TRAINING INSTITUTE, KADUNA
e.    MB,BS                                                                       2004   EBONYI STATE UNIVERSITY, ABAKILIKI 
f.    SSCE                                                                          1996    WAEC
g.    FSLC                                                                           1990    SHB