…Raises stipends for inaugural lecturers to N500,000.00
By Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Lokoja
The Vice Chancellor, Prince Abubakar Audu university Anyigba, Prof Salisu Ogbo Usman has assures of introducing innovative approaches in the delivery of inaugural lectures in line with global best standards.
He said his management envision a system that enhances visibility, encourages wider participation, and elevates the overall prestige of these lectures. “Our goal is to make inaugural lectures not just academic obligations, but celebrated intellectual events that reflect the nobility of scholarship.
“In recognition of the importance of inaugural lectures and to encourage wider participation among our Professors, this administration has approved an increase in the stipend for inaugural lecturers from ₦250,000 to ₦500,000.
The VC made this known in his address at the 18th Inaugural Lecture held on Tuesday at the institution.
According to Prof Ogbo, “Let us remain open to flexibility and innovation – even if it means hosting lectures twice monthly – to ensure that our University remains vibrant, productive, and intellectually competitive.
“The Senate has already granted us approval for Thirteen (13) more Inaugural lectures to be delivered within two (2) years of our administration to move the number to Thirty (30) against the seventeen (17) in the series which began under the administration of the second Vice Chancellor, Professor Francis Idachaba of blessed memory on 26th August, 2008.
“World over, inaugural lectures are defining moment of scholarship, institutional prestige and a meeting point of town and gown. Several universities, some of which are younger than ours, have made remarkable progress and moved ahead of us in this regard.
The VC noted that the 18th Inaugural Lecture of Prince Abubakar Audu University is the first inaugural lecture to be delivered since his assumption of duty as Vice-Chancellor.
“It is therefore heartwarming to continue with this cherished academic ritual but with vigour which is deliberately structured and forward-looking.
“Therefore, we must not only catch up but position ourselves as a leading institution where intellectual discourse is vibrant, regular, and impactful. This administration is committed to ensuring that inaugural lectures become a central pillar of our academic identity”.
In his inaugural lecture titled “Geographer In The Forest: Issues, Concerns And Tasks” Professor Adesola Ogidiolu noted that a healthy forest is a forest that possesses the ability to sustain the unique species composition and processes that exist within it.
“A healthy forest should be able to accommodate the present and future needs of the people for a variety of values, products and services”.
Prof Ogidiolu pointed out that
threats or obstacles to forest health can be both biotic and/or abiotic stress agents. “These stress agents cause sustained disruption of the normal physiological or structural functioning of a tree which if it persist can harm or kill the tree”.
