The national coordinator, special study centres of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Mrs. Modupe Adesina, recently visited the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Special Study Centre, Kaduna, on a work visit.
Adesina, who was accompanied by Ms. Inkus Blessing Amali, was recieved by the centre director, Professor Nda E. Mundi, together with the head of administration of the centre, Mrs. Jagila Bitiyong.
The visit, according to Adesina, was approved by the vice-chancellor, Professor Olufemi Peters, to enable her see and ascertain what is going on at the Special Centre for the Nigerian Air Force.
She explained that she was also at the centre to evaluate the challenges faced by the centre and report same to the vice-chancellor so that management may take informed decision on order to move the centre forward.
The national coordinator further explained that she has visited other special centres for the same purpose.
“Therefore the work visit is also to strengthen the existing bond between NOUN and the Nigerian Air Force,” she added.
“We need to know what is on ground so that during our meeting with the Chief of Air Staff we can make a case,” Adesina said.
She revealed that recently the vice-chancellor has approved an Operational Guideline (OG) for all existing and new special centres.
Shedding more light, the coordinator said “in order to implement the guidelines as was done at other special centres, we have to visit first.”
She expressed the hope that the visit would eventually have positive effect at the centre “because we have seen the challenges on ground.”
“I have come to do the work. By the time we meet with partners, we will have the best reasons for the upgrade of the centre.”
Adesina said that so far, she had visited special study centres for Immigration, Correctional Services, Nigerian Army, Police and The National Union of Road Transport Workers.
“I have visited all the intended places, I am going straight to my desk to start working just as I have done for other special centres.
The director, Special Study Centre for the Nigeria Air Force, Professor Nda E. Mundi, expressed his appreciation for the visit and extended his felicitation to the vice-chancellor.
Mundi opined that the visit was historic and symbolic because it was the first of its kind.
“This visit will also aid NOUN management by providing clear understanding of the very commendable efforts being made by the Base Commandants and Air Officers Commanding in their bid to upgrade the centre,” he said.
The centre director also observed that the visit would help in ascertaining the achievements and challenges recorded by the centre.
Among the pressing areas of need the centre was grappling with, according to Mundi, were office accommodation and office equipment, specifically computers that have been as old as the centre itself, therefore becoming obsolete.
He further observed that the centre has had to purchase a ram to upgrade the system which on a yearly basis. This development, he said, is not cost effective.
