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By Madu Obi
Awka- Senator Victor Umeh representing Anambra Central, has said that the 10th National Assembly would not accept any budget from the executive arm of government which does not make adequate provision for education.
Umeh, spoke at Aguluzigbo during his appointment as the Chancellor of Tansian University, Umunya, said the national assembly would make government to understand that education is key to the development of any nation.
The Senator said although private universities were doing a lot to improve the quality of education in the country, the problem is that many people cannot afford it due to poverty.
He said: "The public universities owned by government have suffered so much because of disputes between the academic staff and government due to poor remuneration of the lecturers.
"Poor attention is paid to education through budget as the country is very far behind the globally recommended budgetary provision for education, which is necessary to meet the required standard.
"Any budget the government brings to the national assembly that does not make adequate provision for education will be resisted. If we give our children quality education, we would have laid a solid foundation for a bright future for our country."
Umeh said he accepted to be the Chancellor because it is a call to service, adding, "For considering me a fit and proper person to be appointed the Chancellor of this great university, I feel so challenged as I know that the responsibility will go with a lot of dedication."
"I will strive to make Tansian University a worthy citadel of learning and it is, therefore, an honour and privilege to be part of a highly principled and God - fearing university. I will use my reach, contact and everything to help promote the ideals of this university."
The Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Eugene Nwadialor, who was accompanied by the management of the institution, said the board did a thorough search and eventually zeroed on Senator Umeh.
He said: "Looking at your pedigree, experience, commitment and doggedness to issues you believe in, the board decided that you should be appointed the Chancellor." The message of the Visitor to the university, Peter Cardinal Okpalaeke, is that you should bring that experience to bear in the affairs of the university.
"Before now, Okpalaeke was the chairman of the board, the visitor and Chancellor, just to make sure that we survive. Recently, the board thought it wise that under the separation of functions, the post of Chancellor should be given to a worthy son of the soil," the Vice Chancellor said.
He recalled that Umeh had been part of the university, having been one of the first honorary doctorate degree awardees of Tansian University. Tansian University was founded in 2009 by the late Professor Johnbosco Akam, a Reverend Monsignor in the Catholic Church.
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