OFU K’IDOMA DONATES 15 MILLION BOOKS TO FUHSO TOWARDS ACCREDITATION.*
By steve anyebe.
As the Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo ((FUHSO) gears up towards the landmark accreditation of its courses, Ofu k’Idoma, a socio-cultural organisation of Benue South elites in Abuja, has donated an electronic library component worth more than fifteen million books to aid the Institution.
Making the presentation to the Acting Vice-Chancellor of FUHSO, Prof Steve Abah, at the Otada take-off campus, monitored by mustardpoint.com, the Vice Chairman of Ofu k’Idoma, Prof Yakubu Aboki Ochefu, pointed out that the socio-cultural organisation has already commissioned a consultant who has commenced the installation of the e-library, adding that their intervention will be a continuous process as educational development is one of their priority areas.
Citing the example of Oxford University which is 800 years old and still heavily assisted through private donations, Prof Ochefu made a passionate appeal to all good spirited individuals and organizations, especially Benue South indigenes worldwide, to donate generously to the Otukpo based first ever Federal Government established University of Health Sciences.
“To further demonstrate our commitment to aiding the growth of FUHSO, the Chairman of Ofu k’Idoma, Vice Admiral Andy Odeh (rtd), and the entirety of our membership, have put plans in motion to institute academic chairs and prizes during the first graduation ceremony of FUHSO. This is aimed at promoting academic excellence and research”, Prof Ochefu reiterated.
Other items donated by Ofu k’Idoma include a 100 Gig installed Internet facility, ceiling and table fans, connection adaptors and cables, as well as more than twenty five books published by Aboki Publishers in different areas of health sciences.
Receiving the donated items, Acting Vice-Chancellor Prof Steve Abah said he was elated beyond words at the demonstration of love from Ofu k’Idoma, promising that every item would be labelled with the insignia of the Association and would be judiciously utilised.
According to Prof Abah, “When we approached Ofu k’Idoma for assistance, we did so with full confidence that positive results will come out. We were that confident because of the calibre of people who are members of the organisation and their already apparent disposition towards the general growth of Idomaland. I must say that we are not disappointed at all and I believe that whenever the history of FUHSO is written Ofu k’Idoma will feature in it prominently”.
On hand to witness the presentation were members of the University community, including the Acting Registrar (Mr Michael Ogiji), Bursar (Prince John Alechenu Abah), Librarian Dr Kathryn Phillips, and Director of Educational Planning (Prof Silvernus Okpeh), among others.
Prof Yakubu Ochefu was accompanied by his elder brother, Dr Oche Ochefu, a United Kingdom based medical Doctor and supporter of Ofu k’Idoma ideals, who promised to woo goodwill for FUHSO amongst his colleagues in the UK.
Ofu k’Idoma has for many years championed projects towards the development of Benue South Senatorial District. Some of the projects executed in the recent past included provision of relief materials to internally displaced people consequent upon attacks on rural communities by suspected armed herders in various parts of Idomaland; provision of improved seedlings to farmers; as well as educational development programmes to aid indigent school children.
