The Vice Chancellor, University of Benin (UNIBEN), Prof. Edoba Omoregie, has expressed his institution’s readiness to partner with secondary schools’ management desirous of supporting the career prospects of their students while improving the learning environments of such schools.

Prof. Omoregie made the disclosure recently while unveiling a set of learning materials donated to Niger College, Benin City, by the 1985 set of the school’s old students association (NICOSA) as part of the set’s 40th anniversary celebrations.

Represented by the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victor Igbineweka, the don and administrator stated that NICOSA can partner with the University of Benin for regular professional training of teachers already posted to the school.

Thanking the old students association for its contribution to the development of secondary education, he further said that any Niger college student who choses UNIBEN as first choice and scores 200 and above in JAMB, will be eligible for admission into the university, while any staff of the school that applies for higher degree programmes of UNIBEN would also be assisted to realise his or her dream.

Speaking after presenting 70 sets of desks and chairs for students as well as 20 chairs and large tables for teachers of the school, the 1985 Set Coordinator, Mr Oghogho Arthur Obayuwana, of the ECOWAS Commission, Abuja, noted that alumni associations have a great role to play in the overall upliftment of their alma mater.

Obayuwana, who is a former Foreign Affairs Editor of The Guardian Newspapers, said the passion to give back to society through Corporate Social Responsibility was key to the realisation of the humble gesture.

He disclosed that there are plans to galvanise the larger body of old boys and girls to step up and lift the spirits of many more students of Niger College, as one sure way of halting the disturbing trend of cultism in secondary schools at an early stage.