Education
Professor Ugwuanyi Boniface Uche: An Outstanding Star Among the Galaxies
Professor Ugwuanyi is a cool-headed gentleman who puts the interest of people above other narrow considerations. He is an incredibly patient educator who demonstrates remarkable intellectual and mental energy in the discharge of his duties, writes IKENNA OLUKA
Galaxies of stars we see at night have distinguishing traits. An astronomer would tell us the brightest stars in our night sky are an object of constant interest to them as stargazers.
Now, some stars appear very bright to us because they’re relatively nearby, while others look bright because they’re massive and very hot, pumping out lots of radiation. Some look dim because of their age, or because they’re far away. There’s no way to tell just by looking at a star what its age is, but we can tell brightness and use that to learn more.
Well, Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, is the brightest star in the night sky. Its name comes from the Greek word for “scorching.” Many early cultures had names for it, and it had special meanings in terms of rituals and the deities they saw in the sky.
It’s actually a double star system, with a very bright primary and a dimmer secondary star. Sirius is visible from late August (in the early mornings) until mid-to-late March) and lies 8.6 light-years away from us. Astronomers classify it as a type A1Vm star, based on their method of classifying stars by their temperatures and other characteristics.
Suffice to say that stars are massive shining spheres of hot gas that exist in all galaxies across the universe. Their radiances give us light.
Permit me to introduce a star: Professor Ugwuanyi Boniface Uche. What makes Boniface a Star? Who is he indeed? Just give me a few seconds, I will tell you in detail.
According to Doris Sims, author of ‘The 30-Minute Guide to Talent and Succession Management’, “One way to consider whether an individual is a star is to consider their ability and desire for focused development, challenging job assignments, and potential leadership career growth”.
Born on May 15 1971 in Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Boniface is a professor of Accounting and Fellow, Association of National Accountant of Nigeria. He is married and the marriage is blessed with children.
‘Boni’s early years in school were spent at the prestigious College of the Immaculate Conception (CIC) Enugu. Did I hear you say, “Semper Fidelis”? (Yes: Always Faithful!). He finished from CIC Enugu in 1988 in flying colours.
Thereafter, he studied for his undergraduate degree at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology in 1995 when he obtained First Degree in Accounting.
In 1998, he attended the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), where he obtained a MBA Accountancy. An accomplished scholar, teacher, and administrator, ‘Boni’ is one of the nation’s leading experts in the profession.
In his continuous search for excellence in education, he proceeded to the University of Nigeria Nsukka (Enugu Campus) bagging a Masters of Science in Marketing/Public Relations in 2003.
He also pursued his course to Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki and received a masters of Science in Accountancy in 2003.
As a shining star with impeccable contributions to the field of accounting, Ugwuanyi Boniface Uche was decorated with the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Accounting at the Ebonyi State University Abakaliki in 2012.
He has been a Fellow, Association of National Accountant of Nigeria since 2015.
His ascension to the highest academic qualification didn’t come on a platter of gold. He paid various prices.
Professor Ugwuanyi started his career at the Central Insurance Company Limited, working as the Liaison Officer Enugu between 1997-1998.
But as someone with a penchant for knowledge transfer, he switched to the academic environment in a familiar terrain – Enugu of State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) where he lectured as Accountant II from 1998 to 2001.
His excellent spirit, hard-work and dedication would soon earn him the post of Account 1 in 2001. By 2004 he was promoted to the rank of a Senior Accountant. Four year later, he climbed to the post of an Assistant Lecturer and by 2014 he became Lecturer I. Prof. Ugwuanyi, the ‘Sirius’ Star became a 2014 and by 2017 he has risen to the post of a Professor. What a trajectory of growth!
He is an outstanding performer. Leadership-wise, Prof. Ugwuanyi performed credibly as an External Examiner Department of Accountancy, Enugu State Polytechnic Iwollo from 2019 to 2021. As a P.G Students Supervisor he has supervised many Post Graduate Students – PGD, MBA, M.Sc, 2008-till date; PhD 2018-till date.
In his service to the nation, Prof. Ugwuanyi served as Member, Federal Board Nigerian Press Council (2007-2011); Member, Nigeria House Committee (2015-2018); Chairman, Association of National Accountant of Nigeria Enugu Branch. May 2018- till date.
His works are published in both national and international journals; with many books in his name, Professor Ugwuanyi ’s contributions to the intellectual community remain outstanding
The level of impact his intellectual capital has made on revenue and market values of firms in Nigeria and across the globe is unquantifiable. If you develop the human capital they go ahead to impact the structural capital of firms as the proxies for Intellectual capital for firms to grow!
Primatologists believe that empathy has evolved from more ancient cooperative strategies, like care for offspring and “social antennae” to detect danger.
In humans, empathy develops at a very young age and is shaped by our lived experiences. Closely tied to empathy is the concept of perspective-taking. This is the cognitive process of seeing a situation from someone else’s point of view. Empathy and perspective-taking may work together to generate a particular empathetic response, such as altruistic helping or consolation.
Professor Ugwuanyi is a man with empathy which he has shown in many for a; the ability to recognize, understand and share the feelings of another person.
As an instructor and mentor in the field of accounting, Professor Ugwuanyi has maintained that trait of responsibility to respond empathetically to the needs of students and trainees.
The processes of learning and discovery are not individual ventures, rather they are driven by communities within academia. To ignore the importance of empathy in these settings is a disservice to the academy.
I find myself thinking of one of Prof. Ugwuanyi’s former student’s comments, that they did feel heard and that their unique situation was validated, and the steps he (Prof. Ugwuanyi) took to communicate made him view their learning as a priority.
I doff my hat for this illustrious son of Enugu State who is continually burning the night candles to see that the creed of excellence he sworn to is kept.
Professor Ugwuanyi is a cool-headed gentleman who puts the interest of people above other narrow considerations. He is an incredibly patient educator who demonstrates remarkable intellectual and mental energy in the discharge of his duties.
Join me to celebrate a patriot and democrat, whose services to his fatherland have been commendable!
Education
Federal Government Sets To Commence School-To-Work Scheme
The Federal Government says plans are underway to launch a school-to-work scheme to enable youths to become productive and self-employed.
The Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Dr. Hamid Bobboyi disclosed this in Abuja during a meeting with Commissioners of Education, Executive State and FCT Universal Basic Chairmen, Education Boards and UBEC on the School-to-Work Scheme.
Bobboyi in his keynote address, disclosed that the target group for the scheme are learners in the junior secondary schools. He added that it will provide them the opportunity to detect early in life where their talents and potential lie, between academic pursuit and vocational skills development.
Explaining how the Scheme will run, the UBEC Boss stated that it is structured to provide at least six months training, broken into two months per year of study in the junior secondary school.
Also speaking, the Director Basic Education, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. Folake Davies, stated that the Scheme which is inline with the road map policy of the ministry, is designed to provide youths with the requisite experience necessary to excel whenever they find themselves in the working environment.
The Director, who was represented by Rose Onoja stated that only collaborative effort from the Federal, State, and Local Government levels and active involvement from the private sector will make the implementation of the program successful. Liberate actions to mitigate the living conditions of their constituents.
Education
Fake University Degree Holders Soon To Be Fished Out And Arrested – Minister Of Education Announces
The Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman, on Tuesday, said security agencies will go after individuals with fake university certificates in the country.
According to the minister, the individuals will be tracked after the committee set up by the Federal Government to investigate the activities of university certificate racketeers in the country submits its report.
The Federal Government had set up an Inter-Ministerial Investigative Committee on Degree Certificate Milling to probe the activities of certificate racketeers following an investigative report published by Daily Nigerian which exposed the activities of degree mills in the Benin Republic.
The investigative report, which exposed the illegalities perpetrated by some tertiary institutions in the West African countries, led to the Nigerian government placing a ban on the accreditation and evaluation of degrees from Benin Republic and Togo.
The committee set up by the Federal Government was also tasked with investigating Nigerian private universities established in the last 15 years. Recently, the committee invited memoranda from the public. Selected members of the committee also visited institutions in the Benin Republic.
While speaking at the first quarterly citizens engagement in Abuja on Tuesday, the education minister, Mamman, said;
“On the issue of the fake degrees, we set up a committee and we expect them to submit their reports soon. Once the report is submitted, I can assure you that individuals with fake certificates will be apprehended. They will be tracked by security agencies.”
Also speaking at the engagement, the Minister of State for Education, Dr. Tanko Sununu, noted that the quarterly citizenship engagement was aimed at creating awareness of the activities of the ministry.
He noted that the engagement would “ also promote mutual understanding with stakeholders and citizens, build and sustain public trust, and improve transparency and accountability in the sector.”
“Worthy of mention is that this engagement also aims to improve efficiency and streamline government operations by identifying and addressing bottlenecks,” Sununu said.
Education
Stakeholders Head To Enugu For First South East Educators Conference
Stakeholders in the education circle are warming up for the maiden edition of Southeast Educators’ Conference 2024(SEEC’24).
The two-day SEEC’24 scheduled to hold 18th & 19th, April 2024 at Nike Lake Resort, Enugu under theme: Future-‘Focused Learning – Igniting the Competitive Edge’
Promises to host key players in the education sector with a potential attendance of over 500 delegates.
The conference will feature a diverse lineup of speakers, covering topics ranging from holistic learning approaches to cutting-edge technology integration.
Speaking ahead of the conference, Mrs Doris Chinedu-Okoro,CEO, Evergreen Group, said SEEC’24 is the first of its kind in the Southeast region, presenting a historic opportunity for stakeholders to pioneer positive change in the local education sector.
“It brings together diverse perspectives and innovative ideas,fostering collaboration and networking among educators and stakeholders.
Hundreds of delegates will be in attendance.
“SEEC’24 is dedicated to exploring transformative practices, emphasising holistic learning, technology integration, globalcitizenship, life-long learning, and community engagement”, she said.
Mr. Osita Chidioka, the former Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, who recently launched an online mentorship and leadership programme for Nigerian youths named Mekaria Mentorship Programme (MMP) Foundation Course, will deliver the keynote at SEEC’24.
Prof. Pieter Verdegem; Dr. Joy Isa, Mrs. Bukola Adewuiyi, Lady Uju Dike, Fr. John Njorteah, Alex Onyia, Rotimi Eyitayo, Rhoda Odigboh, Elfrida Diete-Spiff Omole, Dr. ChibuezeLawrence Ofobuike, Ify Obidi-Essien, Dr. Abimbola Ogundere, Angelina Ikeako, Odetola Ebenezer Israel and OgochukwuOnyia, are some of the speakers lined up for the event.
The Evergreen Group CEO added that the conference thrives on a vision to create a dynamic platform that equips educators with the tools and knowledge needed to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape of South-Eastern Nigeria.
SEEC’24 is open to School Owners, Heads of Schools (Public and Private), Educational Stakeholders, Counselors, Teachers, Parents, Investors, Startups, and others in the education ecosystem.
“Participants will have the opportunity to engage in two full days of conference sessions, diving deep into the future of Education.
“There will be ample networking opportunities with school leaders from across the geopolitical zone and beyond.
“The evening Gala Night promises a delightful atmosphere for dancing, dining, wining, and fostering deeper connections in a relaxed setting”, she further explained.
Registration is N100,000 via: https://bit.ly/3uTcv9e
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