In a bid to groom students with the practical experience to make appreciable impact on the global economy on graduation, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, yesterday, launched its radio station, 104.7 AE-FUNAI FM.
Speaking during a test-broadcast to the University community, the Vice Chancellor, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba noted that the radio station was established to inform and educate members of the university community and its environs, train students of the University in particular, in modern broadcasting, stressing that students of Mass Communication would be the main beneficiaries of the station as it would be used for their hands-on training.


He also explained that as part of the University’s Corporate Social Responsibility, the station would broadcast daily news on Agricultural Extension Services in order to help members of the University host community, especially farmers to improve their businesses. He maintained that the radio station would boost the economy of its host community by developing and broadcasting programmes that are of great benefit to them, adding that it would serve the communities within and around the University.

The Vice-Chancellor further thanked the Zanders Foundation for donating the broadcast equipment being used in the station, promising that the station will in no distant time get its broadcasting license.
While speaking on the rationale for supporting the University, the Chairman of Zanders Foundation, High Chief Kenneth Zanders stated that zanders foundation is a non-governmental organization created to promote the broadcast media in Nigeria. He explained that the donation of the equipment for the establishment of the radio station was in support of the good works of the Vice-Chancellor, and called on the Organized Private Sector to take advantage of the opportunities in the University to invest in mutual benefiting areas.

Chairman, Committee for the establishment of AE-FUNAI Radio, Professor Dennis Akor, VC, Professor Chinedum Nwajiuba and donor of the broadcasting equipment, High Chief Kenneth Zanders during the commissioning ceremony
He further assured that the station would receive National Broadcasting Commission’s operational license, adding that it will be powered through solar system in order to promote green energy in the University. He also explained that the station would be available on mobile app to ensure easy dissemination of information to listeners in any part of the world.

Expressing delight on the actualization of the project, the Chairman of the Committee for the establishment of the AE-FUNAI Radio, Professor Dennis Akor, noted that the broadcast equipment were donated two years ago, however the university needed to meet certain requirements for the establishment of a radio station before it could be commissioned. He stated that besides serving the University community, it would also be used to teach students the practical aspect of broadcasting.

The commissioning of the project was another milestone in the administration of Professor Nwajiuba, who has maintained that he was in a hurry to develop the University and make it a reference point in the comity of revered Universities in Nigeria and beyond