Igbinedion Urges Varsity Council to Embrace Innovation, Synergy for Global Relevance
The Chancellor of Igbinedion University, Okada, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion, has urged the new Governing Council of the institution to embrace accountability, innovation, and synergy in order to surpass the records of its predecessors.
Speaking at the 7th Governing Council Retreat of the university in Benin City recently, Chief Igbinedion, represented by his son and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Lucky Igbinedion, said the council must strengthen the institution’s vision of academic excellence and global competitiveness.
“Our institution is committed to academic excellence. This retreat is a reflection of our collective efforts to drive that excellence both locally and internationally,” he said.
Delivering the keynote address, Chairman of SUNU Assurances Plc, Kyari Abba Bukar, highlighted the urgency of digital transformation in higher education. According to him, universities must swiftly integrate digital platforms to remain relevant.
“We need to integrate digital platforms to blend learning,” he said, urging participants to cultivate a culture of excellence anchored on renewed commitment.
Former Vice-Chancellor of Chrisland University, Prof. Chinedum Babalola, stressed that synergy between the governing council and management was key to the success of any university.
“Universities thrive when governing council steers with vision and management rows with execution. At IUO, synergy should not be an option but an imperative for the future,” she said.
Other speakers at the retreat, including Dr. Aisha Laruba Abdullahi, Prof. Olufemi Olaiya Balogun, and Prof. Nnonyelugo Ike-Muonso, spoke on themes such as global visibility, funding models for sustainability, and fostering innovation for competitiveness.
Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Prof. Lawrence Ezemonye, described the retreat as an opportunity for stakeholders to strengthen their contributions to the growth and long-term impact of Igbinedion University.
