PORT HARCOURT, Rivers, Nigeria – The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) Study Centre in Ikom, Cross River State, has solicited the support of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), to enable it move to a permanent site, in line with the NOUN’s policy for establishing a Community Study Centre.
A statement released by Mrs. Clara Braide, the Special Assistant on Communication to the Chairman Governing Board of NDDC, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, SAN, indicated that the request was made when Dr. Kate Ambrose, the Director of Ikom NOUN Community Study Centre, led other staff of the Centre to pay a courtesy visit on the Chairman in Port-Harcourt.
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The Ikom NOUN Study Centre, which was one of the numerous projects facilitated by Ndoma-Egba, while he was the Senator representing Cross River Central Senatorial District, is currently being hosted by the Federal Ministry of Youth and Development.
Speaking during the visit, the NOUN Director appreciated Ndoma-Egba on behalf of the institution’s Vice-Chancellor, Prof. A.U. Adamu, for his effort in the establishment of the Ikom Study Centre, which according to her, has been of great benefit to the people of the community and its environs in Cross River State.
Pointing out that it has become imperative for Ikom to have a permanent Study Centre, Dr. Ambrose said the Centre has achieved laudable milestone in terms of students’ enrolment.
She disclosed that 80% of the recruited staff of the Study Centre are from Ikom Local Government Area, noting that the effort of the former Senate Leader in attracting the NOUN Centre to Ikom has also helped in the area of job creation in the community.
In her words, “The Study Centre you facilitated has yielded much gain and we are still counting. It will interest you to know that, the Study Centre has made far reaching impact such as increased number of students and maintained cordial relationship with staff, students and the community. In addition, the Centre has conducted three (3) Orientation and Matriculation Ceremonies, hoping to have the first graduands in January 2018.”
Dr. Ambrose added that “We deemed it fit to bring to your notice the University’s Standard for establishing a Community Study Centre as a policy as well as some of our operational challenges.
The policy is that the community shall be solely responsible for building, equipping, providing mobility, and ensuring viability of the Community Study Centres. The temporary Study Centre we currently operate in is located in a remote area where poor network challenges our smooth operations. The Community Study Centre has operated for two (2) years without both operational and official vehicles.”
The needs of the Study Centre, according to the Ikom NOUN boss include, “A Study Centre Building to comprise the following: Administrative Block; Facilitation Classroom (10); Science Laboratories (Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Integrated Science); Moot Court building and Law Library for Law students; Computer halls; Staff Quarters; Solar system; One big theatre for large group activities; Centre Library; A large hall for strong course materials and a borehole for potable water.
Operational Vehicles to aide advocacy and official vehicle for the Centre director and Relocation of the Study Centre to a more central location for easy access and networking.”
Dr. Ambrose further said: “We request that you use your good office to provide the above-mentioned needs of the University for smooth operations so that your vision in facilitating this Centre would be realized.”
In his response, Ndoma-Egba said the Study Centre was his baby which he singlehandedly brought to Ikom, noting that he has a responsibility to see it grow.
“The Commission will give it, the Ikom NOUN Study Centre every support,” the NDDC Chairman assured.
