UNIJOS VC CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO BRACE UP FOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AS TWO PHILANTHROPISTS DONATE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

UNIJOS VC CHALLENGES STUDENTS TO BRACE UP FOR ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE AS TWO PHILANTHROPISTS DONATE EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, has charged students of the institution to rededicate themselves to academic excellence, urging them to take advantage of the growing support the University continues to receive from individuals and organizations within and outside the country. Professor Ishaya gave the charge while receiving two Perkins Braille Machines and a rich collection of academic books donated by two philanthropists, Dr. Gwom Peter of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, and Mr. Andrew Gani-Ikilama of the Bitrus Gani-Ikilama Fellows.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, the University has in recent years attracted significant goodwill from partners, alumni, and development-oriented individuals. He noted that such contributions are aimed at improving teaching, learning, research, and the overall learning environment, stressing that students must reciprocate by striving for improved academic performance and preparing themselves to become valuable assets in the labour market.

Professor Ishaya commended the donors for what he described as thoughtful and impactful contributions. He explained that the materials would significantly enrich the University’s academic resources and further strengthen its commitment to inclusive and quality education.

He appealed for proper maintenance of the Braille Machines and directed that the donated books and related academic materials be put to maximum use by the University Library for the benefit of present and future scholars.

Speaking during the donation, Dr. Gwom Peter, of Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom, said he was motivated to contribute educational materials, including textbooks, journals, research documents, and other academic resources, because of the University’s strong reputation as an institution of international repute in teaching and research.

The UK based indigene of Plateau State explained that, many of his mentors and lecturers passed through the University of Jos, particularly his academic mentor, the late Professor John Duncan, who was instrumental in establishing the Department of Urban and Regional Planning at the University. He expressed delight that the Department has grown impressively, running programmes from the undergraduate level up to the Ph.D level.

He revealed that part of the inspiration for this gesture came after learning from his mentor, Professor John Dung-Gwom of the Urban and Regional Planning, University of Jos, that the University Library had lost many of its planning-related books to a past fire incident. According to him, “I remembered that I had many books and research materials that would be of great value to the University. Those books would serve future generations.”

Dr. Gwom called on Nigerian scholars in the diaspora—especially those from Plateau State—to also donate unused academic resources in their possession, saying “There is no donation that is too small. Those books that are lying unused abroad can help build the next generation of scholars. Let them sacrifice and bring them here. It may look difficult, but it is a worthy sacrifice.”

On his part, Mr. Andrew Gani-Ikilama, who presented the two Perkins Braille Machines, said the donation was made in honour of his late father, Dr. Bitrus Gani, an educationist who embodied excellence and inspired his children to pursue quality education.

He explained that the Bitrus Gani-Ikilama Fellows have been giving back to society since their father’s passing, and this year chose the University of Jos as a beneficiary. “What inspires us is the legacy of our

late father, who excelled in education and lived a life of quality and impact. He trained all six of his children through the University, and now many of us have gone ahead to earn our PhDs. He taught us to always give back,” he said.

Gani-Ikilama noted that the donation was targeted specifically at visually impaired students in the Department of Special Education who have excelled academically of which Paul Joseph Agoru and Elizabeth Adenike Shokayode are the beneficiaries. He added that the Braille Machines would improve their access to learning and enhance their academic journey.

He equally called on Nigerians, especially alumni and friends of the University not to underestimate their ability to contribute to educational development. “You don’t have to be a millionaire. A millionaire is not the person with money in the bank but the one who touches lives. Whatever you bring, no matter how small, can uplift someone and give them a better quality of life. Supporting education means supporting a better society,” he said.

With these donations, the University of Jos continues to strengthen its culture of academic excellence and inclusion, while urging its students to rise to the challenge of meeting global educational standards.