Prof Lawrence EzeMonye
By Kingsley Abavo, Benin
The Igbinedion University, Okada (IUO), has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Ukrainian Universities to absorb stranded Nigerian students following the ongoing Ukraine and Russia war.
The Vice Chancellor, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye disclosed this on Monday in Okada, Edo State during a birthday lecture titled: ‘Diplomacy and Nigeria’s Fortunes: Private Sector action through Education, Practice and More’ as part of events to celebrate the 88th Birthday of the University’s founder, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, the Esama of Benin.
“We have signed MOU with two Ukrainian Universities to absorb students of the Universities displaced by the dispute between Ukraine and Russia”.
The exchange of students with the foreign institutions, was in line with the effort at intensifying the internationalisation of the pedagogical profile through partnerships, Prof. Ezemonye said.
“The exchange programme was to expose the students to formidable learning experience targeted at producing global leaders”.
He described Chief Igbinedion as an asset to Nigeria whose contributions to national development, especially in the education sector amongst others, have opened vista for private institutions.
According to him; the Chancellor’s annual birthday lecture is designed to acknowledging a great mind whose great vision birthed the pioneer private University in Nigeria, and also provide a platform through which strategic and policy issues germane to national development could be discussed and solution proffered.
“Our drive to being a leading centre of development – enhancing knowledge production, capacity-building, scientific innovations and breakthroughs through a coupling of local and global network and synergies remain on course”.
Also speaking, the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Chief Lucky Igbinedion, pledged his unwavering support to the University towards achieving its vision of providing quality education and being a pace setter amongst the private Universities in the country.
In his lecture, Amb. Samson Itegboje, Director International Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said private sector participation is crucial in the development of the education sector, especially, now that the world is affected by COVID-19 pandemic and an ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the resultant negative effect to the economies around the world.
He therefore stressed that diplomacy should be the concern of both government and the private sector, hoping: “like Chief Igbinedion, many more private sector initiatives will be taken to support the diplomatic work that government representatives do, in order to advance our great country economically”
