ARTHUR EZE’S TONIC TO AZMAN VARSITY

Nigeria’s tertiary education can be transformed if privileged citizens support it, writes Louis Achi

It is a given that powerful visions effectively mobilise ideas, people and other critical resources. They create the momentum and will to incept needed changes. They inspire individuals, complementary organizations and institutions to commit, to persist and to give their best, ultimately impacting the human condition.

Drawing from this philosophy, Prince Arthur Eze, Eze N’Ukpo, Ozo Igbo Ndu, has continuously demonstrated in no small measure that to lift society demands bold, compassionate and direct action. This thinking undergirds his recent intervention by donating N200 million to the Azman University, Kano for the new institution’s development.

Prince Eze, top-notch energy sector player and billionaire who incidentally is the chancellor of the new university opened his purse strings while inaugurating the Board of Trustees and the Governing Council of the university in Kano. He lauded the founder and pro-chancellor of the university AbdulManaf Sarina and pledged to continue to support the objectives of the university towards its optimal growth.

Tracking back fond memory lane, Prince Eze recalled how he enjoyed good relationships in Northern Nigeria, especially in Kano, during the tenure of late former Governor Abubakar Rimi when he was accorded free airtime at the only state owned Television station, CTV Kano.

Prince Eze further revealed: “Since then, I developed sound relationship with the North on a quality background with me supporting the region in one way or the other as I recently supported insurgency victims with N800 million.”

According to AbdulManaf Sarina, the appointment of Prince Eze as the Chancellor of the institution was in recognition of his remarkable contributions towards educational development across Nigeria. Empowering millions of Nigerians in diverse impactful interventions and lifting the education sector remain Prince Eze’s forte.

It is indisputable that university education is more than the next level in the learning process. It is a critical component of human development globally. It provides not only the high-level skills necessary for every labour market but also the training essential for teachers, doctors, nurses, civil servants, engineers, humanists, entrepreneurs, scientists, social scientists, and a myriad of other personnel which Nigeria and Africa badly need.

It is these trained individuals who develop the capacity and analytical skills that drive local economies, support civil society, teach children, lead effective governments, and make important decisions which affect entire societies.

To date, it’s hardly debatable that Nigeria’s development quandary at this juncture of human history is firmly linked to how cavalierly its leadership has been treating the education of its children. And this has gotten the laser-sharp attention of Prince Eze. 

With the 37 newly licensed private universities of which Azman University, Kano is one, there are now 238 universities in the country, of which 147 are private, 43 federal government-owned and 48 state government-owned. It’s no secret that there are serious funding challenges facing these critical citadels of learning.

Although there are many universities in the country, they have not substantially filled the void that exists in the nation’s tertiary education some of which are out-dated curriculum; poor funding; decrepit facilities and infrastructure; poorly paid and motivated workforce.

By donating a Princely N200 million for the development of Azman University, Prince Eze speaks to the undeniable necessity of supporting the arena that trains leaders of the future. This gesture ought to be a key footing of all privileged Nigerians. They must not shirk this moral obligation.

Many may not know that Ozo Igbo Ndu read chemical and mechanical engineering but has clearly scored his highest marks in life, in social engineering. This dimension, powered by an enduring passion has seen him light candles in the darkness of human need. Education is certainly a fundamental need of humanity.

The Prince has also demonstrated with his life’s trajectory that faith, business, philanthropy and education fundamentally address transformation of the human condition for good. Four enduring qualities arguably match Prince Eze’s famed billions – simplicity, warmth, philanthropy and wit.

The scope of the vision behind Prince Arthur Eze’s recognition of the importance of education fundamentally aligns with that of South Africa’s revolutionary first black president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Nelson Mandela.

Mandela held that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world and no country can really develop unless its citizens are educated.” He further observed that “There can be no keener revelation of a society’s soul than the way in which it treats its children.”

Highly detribalized and a deep man of faith, Prince Eze’s broad-minded style of inclusive politics has seen him play an elder statesman’s role for the common good and sustainable development of Ndigbo and Nigeria as a whole. As a known and tested bridge builder, his relationships are truly national.

His famed acts of kindness cut across tribe, tongue and religion. According to Prophet Muhammad SAW, “Kindness is a mark of faith, and whoever is not kind has no faith.” Arthur Eze’s life story is indeed that of a journey of faith.

With his latest intervention in aiding the accelerated development of the new Azman University, Eze N’Ukpo has simply reminded lovers of education and the believers in the imperative of safeguarding the nation’s future competitiveness in an increasingly disruptive global village, to genuinely support the education arena.

In effect, Prince Arthur Eze’s princely tonic for Azman University should inspire and spur further interventions by privileged folks of goodwill.

Achi is a Journalist