EDUCATION
Ghanaian Varsities Arrive Nigeria For Students, Offer Attractive Incentives
Michael Olugbode
Ghana universities have continued to come over to Nigeria for students with various incentives which include payment in Naira, Cedi, and even at discount and well-spaced out payment arrangements.
Last month, three universities have established admission the Ghana High Commission headquarters in Abuja and the Consular Office in Lagos to poach Nigerian students.
Ghanaian universities that have so far this year taken advantage of the large population of Nigeria to seek students include the University of Ghana, Accra, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, and lately All Nations University, Koforidua, Eastern Region.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja at the weekend during the search for Nigerian students into the institution, the Deputy Registrar (University Recruitment), All Nations University, Eric Okai noted that the ivory tower has had more Nigerians passing through it than Ghanaians, noting that Nigerians have smart nationals and many who have graduated from the school were top of the class.
Okai, while noting that the school majors in engineering, said: ‘Nigerian students have played a major role in our position as a dominant university in engineering. The university has come to help Africa in our approach to education. We equip our students with quality education centered on ethics and respect for society. Most of our alumni in petrochemical engineering are from Nigeria and also in oil and gas engineering.’
While revealing that the institution which was established by Prof. Samuel Donkor 21 years ago, has graduated over 3,000 Nigerians, said there are friendly tuition fee paying plan for Nigerians to keep the stream on.
He said: ‘Previously we were paying in dollars, we noticed that we are in West Africa and you know how the dollar is not friendly to us. The rate system, if you come to Ghana, the rate is high, if you come to Nigeria, the rate is high. So we considered that we should make the fees Naira friendly, so in that case we have pegged our fees in Cedi. It is not like the dollar equivalent but Cedi which is closer to what the local students pay.
‘You pay in Cedi, so you can just convert Naira to Cedi to pay your fees. You can pay in Naira here and reflect it in Cedi. It is friendly to Nigerian parents since they won’t need to convert Naira into dollars to pay the school fees of their children.
‘The Vice-Chancellor has further given a 50% discount for every Nigerian student that comes to our campus. And this does not just cover a semester but the entire duration of the course. From the first year to graduation. It is a Naira-friendly tuition fee. Nigerians have been more in the school than Ghanaians. We have graduated over 3000 Nigerian students. Nigerian students have shown to be smart and they have always come out with flying colours.’
The All Nations University was founded by Rev. Prof. Samuel H. Donkor and Dr. Rose Donkor and is located in Ghana, Eastern Region-Koforidua. The University began its operation in 2002 and has over the years nurtured and trained great minds in the country Ghana and beyond. Several international students especially from Nigeria have also successfully graduated from their studies at the institution. All Nations University, the only University in Sub-Saharan Africa to Design, Build, and Successfully Launch a Satellite into space, putting Africa in a global competition for Space Sciences. All Nations University is accredited by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission – Ministry of Education Ghana. It is spearheading space science and satellite technology, Advanced Engineering, Business, and Leadership. The University has recently received accreditation for the study of Bachelor of Science (BSc.) in Emergency Medicine Technology to train qualified paramedics to support the healthcare sector in Africa.
The Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Anambra State chapter, Professor Angela Nwammuo has described the appointment of Prof Kate Omenugha to be the new Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) as a square peg in a square hole.
Prof Nwammuo who issued a press release, yesterday, in Awka, in her capacity as the NIPR Chairman in the State said Prof Omenugha’s appointment to the number one position in the university was apt.
She further described it as a reflection of the increasing belief that public relations practitioners were bridge builders and better managers of human and material resources.
Prof Nwammuo, also the Head of, the Department of Mass Communication, COOU noted that by this appointment, Prof Omenugha became the first female and only Vice Chancellor in Anambra State.
“The appointment of Prof Omenugha as the new VC of the COOU who is also a Fellow of the Institute and Council member is in recognition of her exceptional performance as a renowned academic. Most importantly, as the Commissioner for Education in Anambra State the State is still reaping the fruit of the innovations she introduced into the educational sector.
“She is a square peg in a square hole and a familiar terrain.
“As the Institute congratulates her on the deserved honour, we commend the Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Soludo for being gender sensitive, identifying and rewarding hard work.
“We pray that the good Lord will be with the new VC as she pilots the affairs of the university. Thank you Mr Governor, “Prof Nwammuo concluded.
The African School of Diplomacy and International Relations (ASDIR) has stated that concerted efforts from all parties are required to create significant economic progress in Nigeria, stating that without this, the country’s economy will continue to struggle.
The advice was given by Dr Tunji Asaolu, Vice-Chairman/CEO of ASDIR, at the school’s 2023 annual public lecture series, induction, and conferment of honorary doctorate degree ceremony in Abuja.
Asaolu, who is also the Deputy Secretary-General, of African Affairs, International Society of Diplomats (ISD), stated that the call has become critical to ensure the country’s long-term progress.
The theme of the third edition was “The Political Economy of Nation Building: The World’s Unfinished Business.”
“We looked at perceived gaps in terms of economic crisis to chart a way forward to support government efforts to achieve its purpose of representing the people,” Asaolu added.
“Critically, we looked at some ways we can be of help in terms of recommending solutions to perceived economic challenges. Then we came up with a topic centered on the political economy of nation-building.
“We considered this topic as unfinished business because we will continue to be experiencing economic challenges if all hands are not on deck to tackle issues bordering inequality, socioeconomic crisis, poverty and insecurity.”
He explained that the honourary degrees and fellowship awards were carefully conferred on specific persons based on their proven track record of excellence in society.
He mentioned that the awards, which cut across various fields of endeavour, were conferred through collaboration with Queens University Belfast, United Kingdom, which has the right of conferment.
In his remarks, Prof. Jonathan Aremu, Chairman of, Governing Board of ASDIR, said the programme is apt because it will help to boost the capacity of citizens in the area of diplomacy.
He said: “This programme has become necessary for diplomats like those inducted today, to enable them to develop the know-how about best practices and to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on diplomacy.
“What the school is doing is to position the graduands to contribute meaningfully to government efforts centered on diplomatic activities and ensure Nigeria performs excellently, among the committee of developed nations.
“Countries must abide by ratified international relations, therefore, this ASDIR initiative is to enable Nigerians imbibe international best practices and concepts of diplomacy.”
The keynote speaker Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, former Vice-Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu, described knowledge sharing about diplomacy as apt, saying it will enable people to tackle challenges collectively.
According to him, a society that has a sound diplomacy inculcated into its leadership will not experience many conflicts.
“Wherever there is a breakdown of law and order, whenever there is conflict, the first thing people consider is the breakdown of diplomacy.
“So what ASDIR is doing for Nigeria is a very key role in bringing peace to this country.
“All over the world, diplomacy is rated as the number one tool to advocate peace wherever there is conflict,” Mkpa said.
The high point of the event was the conferment of 10 honorary fellowships, the award of 10 honorary doctorate degrees to distinguished personalities, and the induction of 40 persons into the ASDIR.
The event was chaired by Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele, Majority Leader of the 10th Senate, represented by Dr Sadiyat Adepoju.
It attracted dignitaries including Rev. Sam Oye, Founder/Lead Pastor of the Transformation Church, and Dr Temitope Enitan-Ogunwusi, Wife of the Ooni of Ife, as awardees among others.
Dileep Kumar, a professor and the Vice Chancellor of Hensard University, answers a constant question asked about Hensard University, Nigeria’s international university nestled on River Forcados in Toru-Orua, Bayelsa States. Why should Hensard be the favourite choice of students and parents?
“Anyone who chooses Hensard would benefit from the University’s uniqueness which we summarise as the Hensard Advantage. They are distinct innovations that the University has brought to higher education,” he said in a press statement.
“Hensard students will enjoy a rare combination of academics, practical skills, industrial exposure, and mentorship. Hensard aims to equip its students with real-world experiences and entrepreneurial skills. It is poised to transform graduates into entrepreneurs and wealth creators with industry-oriented skills with international standards that are readily available to Hensard students.
Kumar, with 21 years of international experience garnered from teaching in universities in the Netherlands, Belgium, Georgia, South Africa, UAE, Bahrain, Sultanate of Oman, Ukraine, Turkey, Indonesia, Malaysia, Morocco, Singapore, Thailand, Brunei, Vietnam, Cambodia, India, said that Hensard was primed to benefit from international linkages and collaborations that would offer the students advantages of receiving instructions in an international environment for teaching and learning.
He summarised the Hensard Advantage thus:
· Dual certifications, international collaborations and partnerships will ensure standards, and exposure of Hensard students to renowned mentors and leaders in various fields, globally
· Collaborations and partnerships with reputable universities, institutions, and industries will ensure that Hensard students draw from sources of knowledge from several points
· Global Student Exchange Programme under which Hensard students would attend lectures in universities abroad as part of the dual certification process
· The worldwide scholars’ programme with rigorous academic experience intertwined and unique opportunities that tap into global academic resources and expertise will avail Hensard student’s exposure to the best international resources
· Global academic network of lecturers and researchers, including the Diaspora Scholars Group, will use cutting-edge technology to deliver lectures in Hensard’s smart lecture halls
· Hensard’s Institutes and Centres of Excellence will ensure constant exposure of students to national and international seminars and conferences that will keep Hensard students abreast of the latest developments in the international knowledge space
· Mentorship of students will be by global leaders from international and corporate advisory boards with relevant competencies in the students’ fields
· The International Board of Governors comprising global leaders in government, academia, business, and research will provide students with a unique combination of diverse mentoring experience
· Practical Entrepreneurship Exposure while at school and Start-up Funds for Hensard graduates through the Hensard Entrepreneurship and Cooperative make Hensard unique
“These are to be coordinated by the carefully selected Hensard team of international faculty and staff with vast experiences to create a truly robust academic community of students, staff, researchers, visiting academics, and global leaders who are committed to extending the frontiers of knowledge, beyond boundaries, for society’s sustenance,” Kumar said.
The University has invested in training ethical leaders through its Core Values that emphasise character and skills to develop the total human being. Hensard’s 12 Core Values are to guide students to become responsible, ethical, honorable citizens, leaders, and servants to God and humanity, as encapsulated in Hensard’s motto, “Qui Servit Homo, Servit Deo” (He who serves man, serves God).
“Hensard graduates will enjoy continued mentorship and support in establishing businesses of their own through the Hensard University Business Support Programme. We invite you to benefit from the Hansard Advantage,” Kumar said.
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