Home / Education / US Consulate Lagos says Fulbright Alumni is flagship of educational development in Nigeria; As Don charges FG to amend constitution to tackle insecurity
Participants at the 17th Annual Conference of Fulbright Alumni Association held in Uyo posed with the US Consulate Lagos Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli middle after the conference. Photo Credit: Dennis Udoma

US Consulate Lagos says Fulbright Alumni is flagship of educational development in Nigeria; As Don charges FG to amend constitution to tackle insecurity

Participants at the 17th Annual Conference of Fulbright Alumni Association held in Uyo in a group photograph with the US Consulate Lagos Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli (middle) after the conference.
Photo Credit: Dennis Udoma
Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli, giving his remarks at the conference.

Dennis Udoma, Uyo

The United States Consulate Lagos, Nigeria has described the Fulbright Alumni Association in Nigeria (FAAN) as the flagship in education through the sponsorship of the US Government in the last 62 years.

The Consulate’s Public Affairs Officer, Stephen Ibelli made this known at the 17th annual conference of Fulbright Alumni Association of Nigeria, FAAN, in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital on Tuesday.

Ibelli disclosed that, the Consulate has sent 40, 000 Fulbright Alumni abroad in this connection for life – changing opportunities in the United States and encouraged the alumni to do more by establishing the association in the 36 states of the country for many more people to join.

It is an opportunity to make the US connections including professionals and scholarships in the United States, he stated.

Also, former Vice Chancellor of Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State and Fulbright Alumnus, Professor Femi Mimiko in his keynote address called on the federal government to amend Nigeria’s Constitution for proper implementation of true federalism to tackle insecurity.

Prof. Mimiko in his virtual presentation during the conference hosted by the University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, said that there are some clauses in the Constitution in the exclusive list that should be amended to give powers to component units in the federation, as a means to tackle the insecurity bedeviling the nation.

Mimiko, who spoke on the theme, ” Equity, Inclusion and Justice as Panacea to Nigeria’s National Security ” said that true federalism was apt in view of the prevailing security challenges facing Nigeria in recent times.

He explained that Nigeria exists in the permanent state of dysfunctionality, adding that the federal government must get the security architecture right before it turns to a failed state.

Mimiko, a Professor of Political Science listed devolution of powers to component states and redistribution of resources as necessary issues that must be addressed by government to prevent secession.

According to him, “there must be amendment of the Constitution that will allow the federal government to relinquish some of its powers in the interest of the federating units and development to check internal uprising that led to insecurity. ”

He appealed to the federal government to adopt the last National Conference Report and the All Progressives Congress (APC) True Federalism Report, which, according to him are waiting for adoption as a blueprint for National Unity.

Chairman of the conference and Vice Chancellor of the University of Uyo, Professor Nyaudoh Ukpabio Ndaeyo in his address  said, Fulbright Alumni Association was established in 1946 and has been nurtured through scholarly works and urged other Alumni Associations to borrow a leaf from their activities to also attract international funding for the educational development of their members.

He observed that security is crucial to nation building; as it applies to all sectors of the economy .

The Vice Chancellor commended the United States Consulate Lagos, for her support to the University of Uyo in the area of research and human capital development and, called for more assistance to grow critical areas in the institution.

He regretted that schools have been shut due to insecurity in many parts of Nigeria such as Borno, Zamfara, Kaduna and asked the federal government to rise to the occasion.

He said the University of Uyo will continue to support research and conferences especially when they promote academic excellence and good governance.

About admin

Check Also

Paving the way to a green economy in Nigeria By Victor I. Fagorite and Ifeoma Malo

A green economy is an economy that aims to reduce environmental risks and ecological scarcities …

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *