By Andrew Abah, Abuja
The Dean, Faculty of Law, Benue State University, Prof. U.D Ikoni, has emphatically stated that Barr. Paul Edeh, is the only Presidential Aspirant with requisite Capacity to reposition the school’s Alumni body, known as BSUAA.
Prof. Ikoni who spoke when he received the latest editions of Nigerian Weekly Law Reports, donated to BSU by Barr Edeh said the donor, a legal luminary has been consistent with several humanitarian and educational development initiatives especially within the school community.
While itemising various contributions which Barr Edeh has made in uplifting the status of BSU over the years, the Doyen of Law teaching and practice recalled how his interventions made it possible for the Law Faculty to be rated high in the recent accreditation exercise carried out by the National Universities Commission.
He said, “I’m so elated as an individual and as a Dean that at this time, the school’s law library is competing favourably with any other in Nigeria, courtesy of a great alumnus like Barr Paul Edeh.
“Now, it’s just straight forward and rational to reason that If someone is doing this much for a faculty, it means that if given the opportunity, he will do so much for the entire University at a more advanced level.
“Even the bailout of N120 million he loaned to the school to forestall the strike which the ASUU had embarked on, needs to be known to all alumni members.
“As a detribilised person who is all out for only what’s good and excellent, all I’m after is not personal, it’s for the school to engage with capable hands that will lead and make the institution greater.”
The Erudite Law Professor also warned against any consideration for ethnic or tribal decision in the upcoming Benue State University Alumni Association (BSUAA), adding, “I want to categorically state that the upcoming election should have nothing to do with tribal sentiment. It should be about who really has the capacity to lead BSUAA.
“And without mincing words, Barr. Paul Edeh has all that are required to turn things around when he becomes BSUAA President. One cardinal reason is that he is coming from outside and beyond sentiments, he will use his capacity to galvanise all alumni members to unite as a force to make the University system better.”
Earlier, while handing over recent Law Reports covering between May to December 25, 2023, Barr. Edeh announced that beyond 2024, he would ensure that the school’s Law library is stocked with updated editions of Nigerian Weekly Law Reports for life.
Barr. Edeh who is also the Chairman of Benue State Football Association (BSFA) and President, Ratels Sports Development Foundation (RSDF) also stated that henceforth he would pay the producers of the Nigerian Weekley Law Reports ahead to supply directly to BSU, all the available copies as they are produced weekly.
His words, “From 2021, that I First made the donation and promised to continue doing so till 2025. I made the promise and have ensured that I kept to it. In fact, I’m now promising that as long as I live with God sparing my life, I will continue to donate and update the BSU Faculty of Law with Nigerian Weekly Law Reports.
“BSU is perhaps the only school with the most recent copies. From now on, I will get in contact with those who produce the Law Reports and get them to now supply or send them down to the school once new editions come out as from 2024.
“It’s our responsibility as alumni to do as much as we can do to give back to the school that has made us who we are.”
The BSUAA presidential aspirant also visited the Secretariat of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), BSU branch, where he took time out to outline his vision for the school’s alumni body before its leadership.
He further assured, “When I emerge, part of what I intend to do is to create a robust relationship between the BSUAA and the school management, ASUU, other staff and even students. I don’t hope there will be crisis in the school, but in an event there is, I will ensure that it is amicably resolved. READ ALSO:
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“When I emerge, I will ensure that BSUAA will have a Secretariat. Within my one year of emergence, I will make sure we put up an edifice. One of those things we will do as an alumni is that we will fix the two school gates to a standard that is befitting of a university of repute. The next thing I will focus on is to execute students’ hostel and other structures.
“I also intend that we set-up an endowment fund for Lecturers and students alike for research and other useful purposes. This is what higher institutions including Harvard University does.”
Responding, ASUU BSU Chairman, Dr. Victor Tarnongo, expressed delight that with the emergence of a man with vision to BSUAA, the school’s alumni body is on the path to purposeful leadership and excellence.
