*As UNILAG inaugurates UBA Chair of Finance board, installs new chancellor, El-Kanemi

Executive Director, Resources, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Ms Obi Ibekwe, has assured that the bank would continue to support education and the development of critical manpower needed for national and economic advancement.

She said this during the inauguration of a Board of Trustees (BoT) for the UBA Professorial Chair of Finance at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), which was recently resuscitated with the sum of N52.9m. The endowment according to her, was first instituted 44 years ago.

She said the bank’s unwavering commitment to the educational sector prompted the resuscitation of the endowment adding, “We are very proud to be associated with this initiative that has contributed immensely to shaping the development of manpower for the financial industry.”

Vice-chancellor of the institution, Prof. Rahamon Bello, who inaugurated the board, expressed appreciation to the bank for resuscitating the chair, despite the current economic situation in the country.

While charging the committee to immediately commence the process of appointing a new Chair of Finance, a position, which was first occupied by the renowned Green Nwankwo, he assured that the funds would be put to judicious use to the benefit of all stakeholders, the academia, UBA and the general public.

The BoT, which has Prof Ben Oghojafor as chairman, also has UNILAG Registrar, Taiwo Ipaye; the bursar, Lateef Odekunle, Dean, Faculty of Business Administration, Rasheed Kola Ojikutu; Head of Department of Finance; Prof Esther Adegbite; Executive Director, Resources, UBA, Obi Ibekwe, and Chief of Staff to UBA GMD, Ayo Adigun among others.

Meanwhile, the newly appointed Chancellor of UNILAG and Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, has assured of his readiness to actively participate in furthering the growth and development of the university.

The chancellor, who will be officially installed on Thursday, March 3, 2016, gave the assurance when a delegation of the university, led by the vice chancellor, paid him a courtesy visit in his palace in Maiduguri.

He expressed appreciation to the vice-chancellor and his team for the visit and also thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for confirming his appointment.

Bello in his remarks stated that the purpose of the visitation was to pay homage and show happiness over the appointment of the Shehu as the new chancellor of the institution.

He conveyed the pro-chancellor/chairman of Governing Council, Prof Jerry Gana’s apology over his inability to be part of the delegation, adding that UNILAG community would join hand with the chancellor to proffer suggestions for a lasting solution to the security challenge in the North East.

He also informed the chancellor that the 2016 convocation ceremonies of the university had been slated to hold between March 1 and 3. “We are looking forward to receiving your Highness in Lagos.  We are fully prepared. We will ensure your installation will be a unique event in the history of UNILAG.”