The Department of Applied Biology and Biotechnology (ABB), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), has commissioned a fish farming and palm seedling nursery projects aimed at providing students with practical learning experience, promoting entrepreneurship and creating additional revenue opportunities for the department.

The projects were officially commissioned on Thursday at the department’s Biological Garden, with university administrators, lecturers, students, alumni and other stakeholders in attendance.

Speaking at the event, the Head of Department, Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Dr. Cyril Edoga, said the initiative was established to bridge the gap between theoretical classroom instruction and practical experience in biology and biotechnology.

Dr Edoga explained that the department had traditionally relied heavily on theoretical teaching, noting that the new initiative would give students the opportunity to learn through direct involvement in fish farming and palm seedling production.

“We are moving our students from the four walls of the classroom to the pond, and from the lecture hall to the nursery. This is what experiential learning is all about: learning by doing,” he said.

According to him, “the fish farming unit would expose students to hatchery management, water quality management, feed formulation and fish production, while also serving as a research and internally generated revenue (IGR) hub for the department.”

He added that the palm seedling nursery would provide practical training in modern oil palm propagation, nursery management and agribusiness, while contributing to food security and youth empowerment.

The HOD disclosed that the department intends to expand the initiative in the future to include tissue culture, mushroom farming, snailery and other biotechnology-related enterprises.

The HOD, however, appealed to the university management to provide adequate security for the facilities and employ additional staff to support the growing workload in the department.
He noted that the department currently has only six academic staff covering Zoology, Botany and Biotechnology, while one technologist is responsible for the laboratories, practicals, fish farm and palm nursery.

He further revealed that the department currently has no gardener, despite having a biological garden, farm and nursery that require regular maintenance.
“Beyond our own students, the department is a major service department; we teach at least six courses for students in more than eight faculties across the university,” Edoga said, stressing that additional manpower was necessary to sustain the experiential learning programme.

He appreciated the VC for giving the department access to the university borehole and the Dean for providing water storage tank.

Representing the Vice Chancellor, the Acting Dean, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Dr. Peter Eze, described the initiative as a significant step towards practical and innovative education at ESUT.

Prof OKolie said the project represented more than physical infrastructure, describing it as a practical learning platform designed to bridge the gap between classroom instruction and real-world biological sciences.

He urged students to maximise the opportunity by actively participating in practical training, research and innovation.
He said the initiative aligned with the university’s commitment to experiential learning, research excellence, environmental sustainability and agricultural innovation.

Also speaking, the Deputy Director of the Entrepreneurship Development Centre, (EDC), Prof Chris Orgah, said the fish farming project had the potential to become an important source of internally generated revenue for the university.

He disclosed that the EDC would include fish farming as its 32nd skill area, allowing students from other faculties to acquire practical knowledge in the field.
According to him, the initiative would help students move beyond seeking employment to developing businesses and becoming employers of labour.
He also pledged the EDC’s support in providing necessary linkages to help the project grow, stressing that the commercial potential of the initiative should be fully explored.

The Deputy Director encouraged other departments and faculties to develop similar practical and entrepreneurial projects, describing collaboration as essential to transforming ideas into sustainable ventures.

The Departmental President of Applied Biology and Biotechnology, Comr Idoko Chukwunonso, expressed appreciation to the HOD, staff, students, deans, heads of departments and other stakeholders who contributed to the establishment of the project.

Comr Mathias said the biological garden already existed before the fish pond initiative was conceived, explaining that he and the HOD, alongside members of the committee, decided to utilise the existing space for the benefit of the department and its students.

According to him, “it took about four weeks to prepare the biological garden and establish the fish pond project.
He disclosed that the four ponds currently contain about 1,300 juvenile fish, noting that although some mortality had been recorded, the fish were generally alive and thriving.”

He explained that the four ponds had been distributed among students from 100 level to 400 level, with course representatives serving as coordinators while he oversees the general activities and organisation of the project.

Mathias said the initiative was not solely about fish production but was designed to encourage students to develop proactive ideas, create businesses and become relevant in the jobcreation space.
He added that the department was also exploring agriculture and tourism within the university, with the broader aim of creating a productive environment where students and members of the ESUT community could witness the possibilities of developing sustainable projects from available resources.

He described the initiative as an opportunity for students to gain practical skills while supporting the department academically and financially.
The event also featured remarks from university officials, including the Dean and representatives of the Faculty of Biological Sciences, the Entrepreneurship Development Centre, staff and student representatives.

The commissioning marks a new phase in the Department of Applied Biology and Biotechnology’s drive towards experiential learning, entrepreneurship, agricultural innovation and sustainable revenue generation for ESUT.

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By Nwabuike Favour

The Head, Department of Mass Communication at the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic (formerly Abia State Poly), Dr Dennis Emeka Ubani, in this exclusive interview with our Business Editor, Nwabuike Favour, explores the importance for unbundling of the department and why the OOP is better placed in this spectrum.

Dr Ubani also identified the one particular need he would request from the Abia State Governor, Mr Alex Otti if he meets him one-on-one.

Profile

My name is Mr Dennis Emeka Ubani a PhD holder in mass Communication. And my areas of specialty are Public Relations and Advertising.

Assumption office as HOD

Being the HOD was of recent but I was part of the staff that started this programme, so I understand the department well. When you talk about Mass Communication, it is very broad family and thank God my school recently unbundled which means we now have some departments that have moved from the conventional Mass Communication to be a department on their own. So Mass Communication and school of media studies are now the family umbrella name. There are other areas like Advertising, Public Relations, Online Journalism, Media Studies among others. All of these are branches of Mass Communication.

Before I came in there were limited infrastructure, and luckily for us the Governor when he assumed office appointed the new Rector, Dr Christopher Okolie, a man knowledgeable about everything and as soon as he realized the challenges we had in the department, he didn’t waste time to provide them. Recently we had accreditation where all 39 programmes run by this school received full clean bill of health.

The other challenge is staffing but it is also being tackled.

Is Mass Comm. still relevant in the society today?

Maybe what you should have asked me is, is communication relevant in our world today? Without communication, there would be no existence. In fact, communication started right from time traced down to the first book of the Bible in Genesis. It was God and the trinity that started Mass Communication when they said let us make man in our own image. Remember communication is interpersonal, intra-personal and Mass Communication. Without communication existence wouldn’t have be. Just imagine in a family were everyone is dumb, what kind of family will that be? Imagine a society where nobody is communicating, how will the government know the problems of the Masses? So there is need for interexchange of feelings and opinions. People must talk, they must communicate. What we should talk about now is the international super highways, you talk about the internet, Goggle etc these are all modern communication channels. And anybody not in communication base is irrelevant in the society.

How old is Mass Communication in the OOP?

We’ve graduated 3 sets now. As a department, the course runs for five years, we have two years and one year break for our Industrial Training (IT) then they come back for another 2 years making it 5 years. Therefore, we are 8 years old here in Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic.

What are the advantages of unbundling Mass Communication?

During our days in school, it was really challenging, my set was the first set that studied Mass Communication in Abia State University. Around that time, there were doubts of textbooks, people were not writing (publishing textbooks) and we had issues getting books to read and with time we got them but it happened we had to read all the areas of Mass Communication as I earlier mention. So unbundling it makes it easier for people to choose the area where they are good at. I might be good in Broadcasting because my voice is good but not good in Advertising as well as other courses even film acting. And we have a department for that. The unbundling helps people to concentrate so as to become masters in what they do. It gives room to specialization.

What is the population of Mass Communication students in the OOP?

Every year, we don’t have the same number of students applying for the Programme, and this is a new year. We always have almost a thousand students and because of the way the Governor and the Rector have set up the system, I bet you we will have large number of students during this year’s intake.

If you meet the Governor today, what will be your request?

First I will thank him for being the governor of Abia State and for a job well done especially for appointing our new Rector. We do call him the game changer. But if I meet him today, the only request I will make is staffing. I will ask him to allow us to recruit more lecturers. We need more hands to handle the courses here in the department.

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By Amaechi Agbo

Enugu — In a boost to sustainable campus infrastructure and enhancement of
learning and research, the Vice-Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, has officially commissioned a brand new 6.0KVA Solar Power Inverter System project donated to the Department of Chemical Engineering.

The eco-friendly power installation was funded and donated entirely by the ESUT Chemical Engineering Class of 1999 as a giving-back initiative to mark over two decades since their graduation.

The newly installed solar energy system is designed to provide uninterrupted power to the department’s critical infrastructure, including laboratories, lecture rooms, and staff offices.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held on Thursday at the main Campus, Prof Okolie expressed immense gratitude to the alumni and  praised their foresight in choosing renewable energy, noting that it directly aligns with the university’s transition toward smart, sustainable campus solutions.

“This donation is a shining example of alumni responsibility,” the VC stated. “By ensuring constant power supply to the Chemical Engineering department, our researchers and students can now conduct experiments and attend lectures without the disruption of power outages.”

The VC while disclosing that the university doesn’t owe the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company a dime on electricity bill, also used the occasion to apologise, on behalf of the university, to any of the graduates who were wrongly treated while they were undergraduates.

“Let me state it here that the university is not owing EEDC a dime. We pay our bills as and when due, both here and in the College. Unfortunately, we don’t get service for our payment and this is why your intervention is timely.

“I also want to apologise to the graduates, your 1999 set who might have been aggrieved as a result of how they were treated while they were undergraduates. Please we ask for your forgiveness. I am also giving them assurance that the system has changed because we have sanitised the university. Once we get reports of unethical conduct by any staff, such person is gone. We have documents of those who have left the university on this regard” the VC said.

Earlier in her opening address, the Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, Associate Professor Ebere Ejikeme, appreciated the management for its unwavering support and expressed deep gratitude to the Class of 1999 for coming to the rescue of the department.

“I stand here to thank the management led by the VC for your continued support and providing me with the opportunity to contribute my little quota to the growth of the university. To my adorable Class of 1999 graduates of this great department, I lack words to express my feelings.

In the process of getting sponsors for this project, I contacted many sets but I was not successful. When I contacted the set through their president, she told me ‘we shall see what we can do’, and today, they have built this great legacy for the department. Thank you,” she said.

In her remarks, the President, Class of 1999 Graduates of Chemical Engineering Department, ESUT, Engr. Rita Offor said the project represents the collective bond of the donors and expressed willingness to continue to support the department in particular and the university in general

“Today is more than just the unveiling of a solar energy system; it is the celebration of a journey that began decades ago. A few years ago, as we reflected on our journey and our roots, we asked ourselves an important question: ‘How can we give back to the department that helped shape our future?’

“The answer brought us here today.
We recognized that stable electricity is essential for quality learning, innovation, research, and technological advancement. From that shared vision came the idea of this Solar Power Project—a project designed not only to provide reliable power, but also to inspire future engineers toward green and sustainable energy solutions.

“We sincerely appreciate the leadership of the Head of Department and university management for partnering with us and supporting the successful execution of this project. We hope to sustain the support.

“To the students, this project is dedicated to you. We hope it enhances your learning environment, supports your academic pursuits, and remind you that you too have the power to create positive change wherever you find yourselves in the future.

“As we handover and commission this Solar Power Project today, may it symbolize light, innovation, sustainability, may it power learning, inspire innovation, and illuminate greatness,” she said

In his address, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Prof Thompson Chime, lauded the innovative leadership of the ESUT Management as well as the administrative capacity of the HOD, in championing innovations.

He appreciated the donors and and urged the staff and students to make best use of the project.

Representatives of the Class of 1999 who spoke with ESUT Monitor during the handover ceremony, stated that the gesture was born out of a collective desire to solve pressing infrastructure challenges and give back to the department that shaped their professional careers.

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The Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, ESUT, Associate Professor Ebere Ejikeme has received award for her inspiring administration and as the first Female Head of the department.  

The “Award of Recognition” was given to her by the ESUT Chemical Engineering Graduates Association (ECEGA) 2005 set at her office.

Presenting the award, President of ECEGA 2005, Engr Henry Tortor said the award is in recognition of her achievements as well as being the first female Head of the Department since its establishment in 1980, stressing that it’s also part of activities to mark their 20^th anniversary of graduation of the university.

He commended the HOD for her administrative ingenuity in repositioning the department and affirmed the ECEGA 2025 Set’s continued support to the department.

Responding, a visibly elated Dr Ejikeme expressed gratitude to God for given her the opportunity to serve the department and thanked the ECEGA 2005 Set profusely for the gesture. She described the award as a catalyst that would propel her to do more and dedicated it to God.

“I am deeply honoured to receive this award as the first female Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering ESUT since its inception in 1980. I dedicate this recognition entirely to Almighty God, who, by His grace, gave me the privilege and strength to serve.

“This achievement is a reminder that with God, barriers are broken and new paths are opened. I am truly grateful. May this milestone encourage more women to step boldly into leadership and I am eternally grateful to 2005 set,” She said

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Agbani – The Department of Quantity Surveying, ESUT, will host its first international Conference this year. The head of Department, Dr. Henry Ajael, while speaking with ESUT Monitor, revealed this.

He emphasized that department will be hosting the conference so as to leverage on their digital Postgraduate Smart Classroom for efficiency.

“We have digitalized our Postgraduate classroom and we are planning to make effective use of it during the conference. Our foreign resource persons can deliver their presentations online using the Smart class, students and staff will also join online and learn more about the Department.

“We are still at initial stage of committee selection for planning of the event to make it a memorable one. The plan is to have an International Conference that will make everybody understand the importance of Quantity Surveying as a profession. I want everybody to know its importance in construction environment,” he said

Dr Ajaelo noted that since the commissioning of the Smart Class by the Vice Chancellor, it has remained functional and lauded members of the staff in the department for their support.

“The Smart Class is functioning very well, students do their project using the Smart class and Lecturers teach using auto card and system for students to follow it up. The Smart Class, though equipped by the Postgraduates of the department, is meant for everybody in the department. After the commissioning of our Smart Class we have conducted many project defenses.”

The HOD recalled that during the 2025 Matriculation, he took the parents/guardians of the students in the department round their facilities, to get them acquainted with what the department is doing to protect and project their child’s future.

No date has been fixed for the international conference.

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Enugu – Nigeria media practitioners have been charged to lead the vanguard on fight against Female Genital Mutilation.

A university don, and Head, Mass Communication Department, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Dr Chidiebre Ezinwa gave the charge in Enugu on Wednesday.

Dr Ezinwa who is a expert in Child rights and development, spoke on the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation holding tomorrow, February 6^th, noted that the Fourth Estate of the realm has great impact to make in the fight against female Genital Mutilation, FGM and urged them to join hand to change the narrative.

“The media as duty bearers should set the agenda for the realization of protection of rights of the girl child by changing the narrative in female Genital Mutilation in the South East.

“Female Genital Mutilation is a gender-based violence and a human rights violation. Journalists are therefore enjoined to join hands with UNICEF and other relevant agencies in promoting awareness of FGM/ elated laws and policies.

“They should emphasize the negative consequences of FGM as a means of discouraging the practice which is tied to the culture of the people involved who in most cases see nothing wrong with the practice. Journalists should embark on investigative reporting to explore the various dimensions of the practice in our communities where the practice is still prevalent,” Dr Ezinwa said.

Similarly, leaders at all levels in Enugu State have been urged to intensify the fight against Female Genital Mutilation, FGM.

The UNICEF Field Officer, Enugu Zone, Mrs Juliet Chiluwe stated this in Enugu on Wednesday during a media briefing to mark the 2025 International Day of Zero Tolerance for female genital mutilation.

Mrs Chiluwe who described FGM as a cankerworm destroying girl child in Enugu State and Nigeria in general, said that FGM is a violation of the girl child right to good health and personal well-being.

“February 6 every year set aside by the United Nations to commemorate the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation.

“Female genital mutilation (FGM) comprises all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons and is recognized internationally as a violation of the human rights, the health and the integrity of girls and women. It violates fundamental human rights such as the right to health, life, physical and mental integrity and freedom from torture, and can result in complications from detrimental physical and psychological as well as social and economic impacts lasting throughout childhood, reproductive years, and old age.

 “It is a form of gender-based violence, a harmful practice against women and girls, and a public health challenge. It is often undertaken as a traditional rite of passage aimed at limiting sexual enjoyment and “protecting female chastity’. The practice of FGM is rooted in gender inequality and power imbalances between men and women. Female genital mutilation violates the fundamental rights of girls.

“We still have unacceptable prevalence rates across the Southeast states, with Imo state ranking 1st at 38% prevalence among women age 15-49 years and 9.7% prevalence among girls age 0-14 years. Similarly, prevalence among women age 15-49 years in Ebonyi, Abia, Enugu and Anambra states stands at 20.4%, 20.3%, 19% and 13.1% respectively. For girls aged 0-14 years, prevalence stands at 3.7%,3.0%,2.1% and 0.2% respectively for Enugu, Abia, Anambra and Ebonyi states.

“While we appreciate the drop in prevalence (especially among women age 15-49) when compared to previous years’ MICS and NDHS data, this is the most critical time to step up the pace, especially through strengthening alliances among grassroots activists, communities, governments, organizations and the private sector to build a powerful social movement that ends harmful norms, and build movements,” she said.

According to UNESCO, an estimated 27 million girls are at risk of undergoing FGM by 2030 unless action is accelerated while every year, over 2 million girls are subjected to female genital mutilation before their fifth birthday.

International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation is a United Nations-sponsored annual awareness day that takes place on February 6 as part of the UN’s efforts to eradicate female genital mutilation. It was first introduced in 2003.

The theme of 2025 International Day for Zero Tolerance against Female Genital Mutilation is: “Step up the Pace Strengthening, Alliances and Building Movements to End FGM”

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The Director of ESUT Counseling and Human Development at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Prof Anthonia Ekanibe Onuorah has been inducted as a Fellow of her professional body, Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON).

The investiture was unveiled on August 20, 2024 during the association’s 48th International Conference held at Warri, Delta State

Prof. A. E. Onuorah is the Chairperson of CASSON Enugu State and also a fellow of the International Institute of Chartered Educational Practitioners (IICEP).

The Head of Department of Guidance and Counselling, ESUT, who beamed with delight and joy over the investiture, expressed gratitude to the CASSON President and Executive members, Enugu State Wing and the management of ESUT for their support.

A dedicated pedagogist who rose from the ranks, Prof A.E Onuorah has distinguished herself in her career winning several awards to signpost her dedication to duty.

Her commitment to duty earned her the envious Faculty of Education, ESUT, 2011 Merit Award as the best coordinator of Post-Graduate Studies. This was followed by the best lecturer award in the Department of Educational Foundations in 2012/2013 academic session. She also got the Award of Excellence in the Educational Development of Enugu State by the Counselling Association of Nigeria (CASSON), Enugu State Chapter in October, 2014.

In addition, she was honoured as the Best Lecturer of the year and mother of the Department of Guidance and Counselling (2014/2015); Most Caring Lecturer (2015/2016); Most Dedicated Lecturer in 2019.

As if this is not enough, the Youth Wing of the Christian Association of Nigeria (YOWICAN) in 2018 honoured her as a Pillar and Patroness of their association. This was crowned in 2022 by the African Youth Development Council (AYDC) with the 2022 African Outstanding Leadership and Personality Award in recognition of her contributions towards Community Development, Entrepreneurship, Capacity building, Peer Education, National Youth Policy and Poverty Reduction in Nigeria.

As an academic giant, consummate orator, a prolific and incisive writer, Prof. Onuorah (Ph.D) is a mentor to young academics, a member of nine (9) scientific/professional organisations. She is also an editor to five (5) renowned journals. She has attended 89 National and International Conferences, workshops and seminars where she delivered many thought-provoking academic papers that have earned her 78 works that have been published in numerous learned journals. Her skills in organizing conferences, workshops and seminars and going the extra mile in ensuring that the proceedings are published is second to none.

She has served as a treasurer, vice chairperson, and currently the chairperson to CASSON, Enugu state chapter. She assisted in developing the initial counselling programme being used in all the secondary schools in Enugu State.

CASSON Objective

Established in 1959 at Oke Ado, Ibadan. the Counselling Association of Nigeria is a National Professional body of trained, registered and Licensed Counsellors. It draws membership from all Educational Institutions, Prisons, the Health Sector, Schools, NGOs, Rehabilitating Centres, the media, Government Agencies, Individuals, Religious groups, among others

CASSON’s objective is to assist individuals and corporate bodies to explore their environments discover their strength and weakness (es), (potentials) talents and skills, so as to determine their needs set personal realistic goals, and adjust suitably to achieve them in harmony with their environments.

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By Chiekezie Ezesinachi.

The Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has applauded the Department of Quantity Surveying for constructing Smart Classroom for Postgraduate Students in the department.

The VC made the commendation on Thursday while unveiling the ICT-based Smart Hall at the main campus if the university, Agbani

Prof Okolie who árrived the department with his management team including the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and and the Registrar, commended the Head of Department, Dr Henry Ajaelu for his innovative ideas .

“On behalf of the management, I appreciate the Dean, Head of Department, Dr. Ajaelu, and the entire student body for thinking smart, both in terms of initiative and outcome, with a very comfortable place like this.”

He made it clear that every department and faculty can come up with any project they think they can competently execute. “The management challenges you to come up with it and discuss with us to ensure we actualize that,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor, while delivering his speech, said that “the management is open for private sectors to collaborate and should feel free to engage the management on any issue.” This great renovation is to uplift standards of teaching, learning, and community service; “we are glad to be associated with this.”

“It is a big challenge for other heads of department, deans to emulate Dr. Ajaelo’s leadership quality. Education has to be cultivated, which is far beyond signing files; it has to do with engagement and equally getting collaboration. While being a student here, you have the opportunity as a student to be exposed more in your field of studies,” he said.

The Vice Chancellor stated that the university is not solely dependent on government financing, as it is highly capital-intensive. “However, whenever departments treat students well, they can answer and support you on any project. But when treated badly, it becomes difficult to mobilize resources and support.” He urged all departments to emulate Quantity Surveying as students are stakeholders of the university.

Earlier in his speech, the Head, Department of Quantity Surveying, Dr Henry Ajaelu said the smart classroom was built to promote academic excellence and comfort for the PG students.

He noted that the collective input of the board of the department as well as support from the Dean of the faculty aided the completion of the project. He expressed hope that the smart hall will be maintain effectively.

“This is a product of commitment from everyone in the department and what we want to achieve with this is academic excellence and comfort for our students. The board of the department and the dean of the faculty played supportive roles for the actualisation and I give God the glory

“This project is 80% sponsored by the postgraduate students, friends and our alumni and we are grateful. Maintenance of the classroom will not be a difficult one because we will always ensure that it is in optimal use everyday,” he said.

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The Department of Computer Engineering set the pace, recently, when they became the first department to organize an International Conference under the new management in the university.

The two-day event which also had alumni homecoming as part of the conference, was held on 26th and 28th June, 2024.

In this exclusive interview with the Head of Computer Department, Dr Harmony Nzeribe, he shared her thoughts with our team of reporters on why the department organized the conference/homecoming which she said was the first of its kind in the history of the department.

Excerpts

Tell us about the conference, ma.

The conference held between 26th and 28th of June, 2024 with the theme “Digital Innovation and Disruptive Technology: Towards Achieving a Digital Nation.” The aim was to make people aware of emerging technologies like the AI, (Artificial Intelligence) cyber security, cryptocurrency, among others. To expose them to all these emerging technologies and try to know how they can explore and use them to ideate and also use them to solve societal and economic problems.

We combined it with alumni homecoming, because since 39 years of existence of this department in 1985, we have not had it.
The conference provided us an opportunity to also bring together these alumni. It’s the first of its kind since this department started and I am happy that the LOC (Local Organising Committee) members packaged the conference very well, it was everywhere. Because of the way we broadcast and announced it, it now became an eye-opener to other department. We set the pace for them. Computer Engineering is the stakeholder when it comes to departmental conference and I give God the glory.

What are the take home?

A lot of take homes because the foundation has been laid concerning the department because we believe that this need to be sustained as technology evolves, it is trending, there maybe other technologies that will emerge, we need to delve into it and also make the public and our students to be aware of it. Conference is all about exchanging ideas and networking with other surroundings.

I believe that conference is a time to learn because there may be things that you may know before now, if you should keep holding onto them without improving on them, you may be obsolete because technology keeps evolving. When you come to conference, new ideas, new technologies are being discussed. From there you begin to upscale those ones that you already know. Learn another one and keep relearning.

Another take home is the alumni get-together, those people that graduated from the department for the past 39 years, coming out to the institution and the younger ones seeing them and now they have that mindset and are relaxed that after graduating from ESUT, they can become somebody, achieve and live their dreams. And come back to the institution, to bring back that which has been impacted in you to come back to give back to Alma mater that trained you.

Alumni Promises

The alumni showed up in numbers, the turnout was huge and we are elated. They made promises, some promised to get laptops for the students, some want to come and see the facilities we have and they will now know what to bring in. There are others who talked about the fact that the department don’t have an active internet network and promised to do something about it. Others said that we should just tell them our needs and they will support.

The fact is that we need alumni support, in most departments and universities, alumni are the strong pillars of support and we are happy we had the homecoming.

The alumni also promised to sustain the meeting which we initiated because as I said earlier, it was their first meeting since graduation. They believe that this conference is like Alumni get-together, a seed that has planted, it has to grow until it becomes a forest which cannot be pull-down.

Another thing the alumni promised is that they say that they don’t just want to do any project, that they want to go and think and come back to do a long lasting project so that anytime it is seen, it will be known that the alumni has come back to give to the department. One of the alumni Engr. Charles Nnaji promised to host a website for the department.

What are the challenges for organizing the conference?

There are a lot of challenges. The economic situation in Nigeria now, the finance was not easy to come by. When a new vision and a new idea comes, trying to get people to agree with you to key into, s also another problem. But when you know the vision which God has given you to rebuild the department, which is getting Computer Engineering moving, you have to remain focused until you get that idea come to pass.

The organization of the conference, was not easy, we had a lot of struggles on the way but why it became a success is because of the fact that it was the first. We worked with one mind. So challenges were there particularly finance but my team worked assiduously and we overcame them.

Everybody, both the members of the committee and staff of the department worked together, we had the same focus, the same mindset to figure the first successful Computer Engineering conference.

Is this conference going to be sustained?

That is why I said that the take home is sustainability, it is going to be an annual event. The foundation has been laid so we believe that as time goes on, like I said, new technology comes, we organize this conference to make people be aware of it. Let the students, the people outside there talk know and talk about it, everybody networking and we collaborate and also learn.

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A new chapter in academic research and excellence is set to commence in Nigeria’s premier sciences and technology university, the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, as the Department of Accountancy organisers her First International Conference.

Considered unique and ground-breaking, the Department of Accountancy First International Conference, (1ST DAIEC) which is expected to gather the crème de la crème in accounting and other professions, including the President, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Dr Innocent Iweka Okwuosa will hold on 2^nd and 3^rd of July, 2024 at the prestigious Prof Julius Onah Auditorium, ESUT.

Themed “Artificial Intelligence and Sustainability Reporting: Implications for Accounting Profession and Stakeholders’ Value Creation”, the conference which will hold both physically and virtually, is expected to explore ways of utilising Artificial Intelligence to promote excellence and value for Accounting, Business, Management, Social Sciences among other fields of Human endeavours.

The 1ST DAIEC will have two lead paper presenters with Dr Friday Akpan, Director-General, Nigeria College of Accountancy, Jos and Dr Iheanyi Anyahara, Director FRC and Chair, Adoption Readiness Working Group (ARWG) for Sustainability Reporting in Nigeria, both anchoring.

Guest Speaker at the conference is Prof Mannixs Paul, Director of Education Training, Institute of Leadership and Governance, USA

1ST Department of Accountancy International Conference (1ST DAIEC) is a one-stop-shop for research, scholarship and mentorship!

For enquiries, contact Professor Oliver Ike Inyiama, Chairman Planning Committee

080-3550-7599 or Professor Uche Lucy Onyekwelu, Head of Department

070-4298-4055, 080-3336-6045

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