The Pro-Chancellor of Ebonyi State University (EBSU), Rev Fr Abraham Nwali has emphasized the need for the management of the institution to think outside its box to boost the Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) and security status of the institution despite the interventions from the government, other aiding organisations and individuals.
Nwali who is also the Chairman of the EBSU Governing Council observed that the University depends solely on school fees and government subvention, which will not be enough to economically and viably run the institution.
Nwali in his address observed this yesterday during the 12th -15th Convocation ceremony at the EBSU permanent site, Ezzamgbo in Abakaliki, and however, commended the state governor, Chief Francis Nwifuru on his provisions of infrastructures especially the new road network and the increment of subvention to the institution.
NATIONAL PANEL reports that Governor Nwifuru at the event increased the salaries of the academic staff of the University by 20 per cent.
He also increased the salaries of non-academic staff of the institution by 10 per cent, cut the students' school fees by 10% and reviewed the University's monthly subvention from N200m to N280m upwards.
The governor declared that henceforth, first-class graduates of EBSU of Ebonyi State origin would be offered automatic employment to lecture at the University, while those who have graduated with first-class, either indigene or not, enjoy the same privilege.
"Alex Ekwueme Teaching Hospital, AE-FUTHA 2 located along Abakaliki-Enugu Expressway is now known and called Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital," Nwifuru added.
However, the EBSU Pro-Chancellor maintained that despite the modest achievements of the University, there are still some serious issues to contend with, mainly in the areas of boosting security and Internally Generated Revenue, IGR of the school.
Nwali said: "In the area of security, the Council via her Committee has tried to mediate between the University and the neighbouring villages, only to realize that they have not been fully compensated. This has to be given special attention, to enable the University to be properly fenced and secured.
"The urgency for the University Management to think outside the box. The Council, through her committee, has come up with two special proposals; a pure water factory and a printing press to be submitted to the visitor (Governor Francis Nwifuru).
"These will help the University to have other sources of Internally Generated Revenue (IGR). To depend solely on school fees and government subvention will not be enough to economically and viably run the University."
Nwali commended the EBSU Vice Chancellor, Prof Chigozie Ogbu and other management of the institution for having secured the full accreditation of all the faculties by the National Universities Commission, NUC for various academic programmes and establishing new ones by the Academic Brief.
The Catholic Priest noted that the infrastructure provisions by the Tertiary Education Tax Fund (TETFUND) remained visible in the University.
