Night of glee at UNN with Francois Sastourne
When the Consul-General of France in Nigeria, His Excellency, Francois Sastourne and his team left Lagos for the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, he had no idea of what to expect since it was his first visit to the Nigerian premier University. His mission was to confer his country’s national award, Palmes Academique (Order of Academic Palms), on Prof. Paul Modum, a University of Nigeria don who had earned the respect of French government because of his doggedness in the promotion of French Language and culture. Little did the consulate chief know that the visit would leave an evocative memory that would make him look forward to a second missionary journey to the University.
As expected, the decoration of Prof Modum with the Palmes Academique medal was without hitches, with a good number of academic and political heavy weights in attendance, including the former Vice-President of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ekwueme, former governor of old Anambra State, Admiral Alison Madueke, representative of GOC of 82 Division of Nigerian army, Colonel Aminu Audu, former Chairman of Union Bank, Elder Kalu U. Kalu, still counting.
But beyond the award razzmatazz was an exquisite show of hospitality in a dinner peculiar to the current administration of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. The host was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Bartho Okolo and his wife, Bar Nwanneka Okolo.
The atmosphere of the evening, the chatting and bantering among the principal officers of the University of Nigeria, Deans of Faculty, Heads of Unit, Directors of Institute and Centre, reflected the camaraderie that exist among the policy makers of the Institution.
Then Vice-Chancellor started, “distinguished ladies and gentlemen, this evening is not for long speeches but to show the Consul-General, His Excellency Francois Sastourne, a bit of our hospitality, to tell him we are happy for the recognition and honour his government gave to one of us. That award of excellence is a reflection of what best we do here. We are a legacy Institution with a unique ambience. Many universities in our country look up to this Institution as a role model. That is why many of our staff are often called up to help develop new generation universities and offer our mentorship to the older ones. It is therefore my pleasure to invite our chief guest to lead the ladies and other guests to the table while we join later”.
Surprised but obviously happy for the role, the Consul-General took the lead to the banquet table followed by the ladies and then the gentlemen. Just as the clicking and clattering of glasses and cutleries was going on, the Consul-General took the microphone and said; “it is a fortunate chance that I am here today, I am deeply impressed by this visit, lots of constructions are going on here, I saw a number of dedicated people. I think we will try our best to enhance our cooperation with the University of Nigeria, but we have to invent a new way for it. I am committed to developing this partnership and make it have contact with France. I will come here again”.
When the applause his speech elicited died down, the former Governor of Old Anambra State, Admiral Allison Madueke cleared his voice and said; “it is an honour to be back to a University that gave me an honorary doctorate degree few years ago. To the glory of God, the Vice-Chancellor is a dynamo, if you come here tomorrow, something will be new. We are glad for his achievement. I am also happy for my friend Prof. Modum for bringing this honour not only for himself but for the University of Nigeria.”
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof. Malachy Okwueze, in his usual sarcastic way, thanked the Consul-General for coming in person to present the award; he remarked that if he had the opportunity to be in Prof. Modum’s French class, he would not have encountered the communication barrier he experienced when he travelled to France.
Of course, the Former Chairman of Union Bank, Elder Kalu U. Kalu did not only express his elderly observations but also offered his prayers for the University. “It has been said that this is the most unusual institution in Nigeria. The ambience here is unique, where people cooperate, unlike in other institutions that are at daggers drawn with their management. It is now clear that the growth of this university is everybody’s business. They should be a proper documentation of the development strides of this administration, not for self glorification, but for people to see that change is possible under a visionary leadership. May God continue to sustain this University,” he said.
The awardee, Prof. Modum who had been enjoying not only the food but also the compliments, thanked the Vice-Chancellor and his wife for hosting the dinner. He dedicated the award he had received earlier in the day, to his French graduates, the University of Nigeria, and his Family. “I am grateful to God, to my French graduates, my family and the University of Nigeria for their contributions in making today’s event possible. Words cannot really express my deep feelings, but I think I feel proud, I feel humbled to be reorganised by a foreign government.”
Inya, Agha E.