Just Photos

Took some nice shots these few days and will just share without boring you with long grammar.

I ran into my friend Nnenna Dike in Enugu recently, always looking pretty

Xtabel's adorned hair in class

US Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. James F. Entwistle visits UNN

Ambassador James F. Entwistle, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria visited University of Nigeria with him were the United States Consul General in Nigeria, Jeffrey Hawkins and other staff of the US Consular Office in Abuja. The Ambassador in an interactive session with the university community extolled the rich cultural history of Nigeria. He also talked about how the future of Nigeria depended more on the youths and what they make of it. In his own words "though an over used cliche, the youths are the leaders of tomorrow".  He outlined a number of avenues the US partners with the Africa and Nigeria especially through the Fulbright fellowship programme and the US President Youth empowerment programme https://youngafricanleaders.state.gov/washington-fellowship/

Read More at unn.edu.ng

VC gifts the Ambassador

...and in a one good turn gesture the Ambassador gives a gift to the VC from the US

The Vice-Chancellor, Ambassador Entwistle (right) and his entourage

Hope Rising: New Vice Chancellor Prof. B.C. Ozumba Inaugurated

Amidst the clamour for change, unusual if we should go by the notion that people are known to resist change, the newly elected Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria Prof. B.C. Ozumba, seasoned gynecologist is inaugurated in a solemn celebration reminiscent of an academic environment.

VC Prof B. C. Ozumba (2nd right) his wife and some principals officers of the UNN

The amiable University Orator, Dr. Edith Nwosu compering the event

Pupils from the University staff School also came to cheer our new VC, (they came with banners
bearing the inscription "Daddy we love you")

Mrs Odum, Mrs Echezona and friends at the reception which came after the inauguration

The Chief Medical Director (UNN Medical Center) Dr. Onwura (iPad in hand) arriving the event.

We pray for the best administrative tenure!

This is Nsukka

Nsukka of whom Chimamanda writes

Nsukka

home of the fearless writers

nsukka

home of the Igwebuike Onahs

 Azikiwes

the Achebes

the Adichies,

painters of life with words

the Anatsuis

painters of life with wood and detritus

home of the foremost citadel of knowledge

alma mater to the fearless lions

grazers on grasses of knowledge

Nsukka of soft green hills

now home  also

to putrid crumbs

jumbles of our individual essence

vast mess

bits and pieces of our essence

laid out like

beaches of

despicable sight

oozing out rivers of stench

turn and stear the stomach

war with guts of our organs

….amas 2014

Yes, Matriculation!

It was the 40th Matriculation ceremony at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Due to the frenzy that followed that matriculation, I was sort of made to recall my own Matriculation in a previous post, though sketchy, I felt like asking few of the matriculating students, what matriculation meant to them.
For Chidindu, it means a dream come true; Chinagolu had previously attempted JAMB for four times, which means his mates are already out of the university and some out of the National Youth Service year. For him it meant a fulfillment of years of hard work, anxiety and dashed hope for each time he failed to cinch the admission to the university his hopes waned but this season is a season of hope and a call to duty and harder work.

The Adeze, it means an elevation to a higher ground, she has left some of her mates behind and are running alongside some while others are already ahead. However she is greatly thankful to God almighty who have finally given her her dream of becoming a student of the prestigious UNN.

For Chinenye, she is happy but not totally elated as she was not offered the choice of her choice which is pharmacy but she plans to run her course with so much determination so that she can confortably change to her choice department -pharmacy after the first year.

For me however I advice each to take the matriculation as a time of reflection and determination to do justice to the academic and moral call which is bestowed by this process as is seen in the University's announcement for the matriculation which goes thus:

"1.     General Information 

The 40th Matriculation Ceremony of the University of Nigeria will hold on Saturday, March 08,  2014 to admit freshmen formally to full membership of the University. All freshmen are expected to solemnly and publicly make a declaration of loyalty to the University of Nigeria on that day.

 The ceremony will take place in the various faculties at both the Nsukka and Enugu campuses of the University at 10.00a.m. 

Full participation in the ceremony is mandatory for all freshmen. It is also mandatory that every matriculated student who is fully cleared will sign the Matriculation Register. Any freshman who fails to participate in the ceremony loses the chance of being formally admitted into the University community. Consequently, he or she will be regarded as not having fulfilled the requirements for full studentship in the University. 

2.    Matriculating Students 

The following categories of students are required to matriculate: 

(i)    All regular freshmen and transfer students registered for first degree courses; 
(ii)    All regular fresh postgraduate students who are not graduates of the University of Nigeria;  
(iii)    Other regular undergraduates and postgraduate students in (i) and (ii) above who had not previously matriculated in the University of Nigeria. 

The following are not required to matriculate: 

(i)    Postgraduate students who are graduates of the University of Nigeria; 
(ii)    Freshmen who have not been fully cleared 
(iii)    Freshmen registered for diploma and certificate courses; 
(iv)    Occasional students. "

Gogo Paul-Onyia's Matric with Chinny Winny and myself (Ama Nnabueze)

Santhus Tochukwu with a friend during their matriculation at Enugu

Anticipating Matriculation!

Since my matriculation in 1989 its been 2 decades and I am once again wondering how it feels. I remember my own matriculation, the first time because I did that twice, the second time I was a bit more matured and could handle it, still even at that I could never envisage the end, that is graduation from my matriculation. That was a big oversight which I believe younger ones should be helped to overcome. We made rice and drank soft drinks. I think it stopped at that. I watched all the merry making. Whatever they meant for each person is what I did not not know. This Saturday I will bring you what matriculating students anticipate and what anxiety they face from UNN's 40th matriculating students.

www.unn.edu.ng