285 Graduate From the NOUN Maiduguri Centre

285 Graduate From the NOUN Maiduguri Centre

By: Bodunrin Kayode

285 students have graduated from the Maiduguri study centre of the National Open University (NOUN) last weekend.

The convocation ceremony which was conducted at the Baga road centre by the director Associate Prof Buba Shani was the largest so far in the history of the Borno centre.

Revealing this in a post convocation chat was the director of centre, Associate Prof Buba Shani who spoke with this reporter on the gains, achievements and the challenges associated with managing the only centre in Borno state.

He revealed that electricity supply from the national grid was the primary challenge he had to face headlong when he took charge adding that it was very obvious power supply affected the daily administration and the conducive nature of the environment for students to study.

To him, a study centre without constant electricity was a big minus on the very academics which the centre was created to support adding that they were very happy to be hooked up with the national grid now.

“But we have been able to get over it because the centre was not on the national grid but we are now connected to the national supplies after almost six years of not having supplies.

” And with support from the North East Development Commission (NEDC) and the NOUN alumni association, we now have a lighted compound where students can read even in the evenings if they wish to.” Said the director.

He said that since he took charge as head of management, the student population has increased from 600 to about 1,200 and they are still counting adding that inspite of the previous instability of the city, students now operate with peace of mind with the stability of the security within the city of Maiduguri.

Above all, Prof Shani noted that he was happy with the existing relationship within the staff and students in the centre, which is ensuring that their studies are smooth.

Restriction of law from NYSC

On restriction of some courses from the National Youth Service Corp (NYSC), he hinted that no course is suffering from that syndrome.

” Whatever applies to the centre applies to the whole country and it is not just in the Maiduguri centre alone.

” But I must tell you that the undergraduate course for law has been scrapped for now and this is a decision of the National Universities Commission (NUC).

“Sadly, the previous management did not do much about ensuring that the course is properly situated and offering it doesn’t become a challenge during their time.

“However, we admit only post graduate courses in law and related courses for now. We would continue to push to get to our expected end at all cost concerning the undergraduate law program ” he concluded.

The Maiduguri study centre has operated for about 22 years defying all the threats of the lingering insurgency in Borno State.

285 Graduate From the NOUN Maiduguri Centre