Sets up Committee on Agency Banking
The Vice-Chancellor of Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Professor Sunday Elom yesterday inaugurated three hand-driven/manual water boreholes which were constructed by the University’s Parents’ Forum to alleviate the challenges of water on campus.


VC, Professor Sunday Elom cutting the tape to inaugurate one of the water boreholes located at the 2nd female hostel while others watch with keen interest
Recall that few weeks after his assumption of duty as Vice-Chancellor on 11th February, 2021, there was epileptic power supply around the campus due to the temporary breakdown of the 2.8 MW hybrid solar power plant that gives the University 24 hours uninterrupted power supply. This brought about scarcity of water in the university, and to arrest the situation the Vice-Chancellor solicited the intervention of the AE-FUNAI Parents’ Forum in that regard. Consequently, the Forum constructed three water boreholes, strategically located at the two female hostels and the medical students’ hostel.

As the University is now back to 24 hours uninterrupted power supply due to the repair of the solar power plant, the three manual water boreholes will serve as back-up to the motorized boreholes located in the hostels and the FG-sponsored water scheme with the capacity of generating over 2,000 gallons of water a day when it comes on stream.


Chairman, AE-FUNAI Parents’ Forum, Engr. Chidi Onwe Ogah (4th L) and other members of executive washing their hands with water from one of the boreholes during the inauguration ceremony
The Chairman of the Parent Forum, Engr. Chidi Onwe Ogah, in his opening remarks, commended the Vice-Chancellor for matching his words with action, adding that he was sure that Professor Elom would take the University to the next level.



While inaugurating the project, the Vice-Chancellor thanked the Forum for their support in making the boreholes a reality. He prayed that the inauguration of the project which was his first as Vice-Chancellor would signal the completion of many other projects in the University during his tenure.


VC, Professor Sunday Elom (6th R) and some principal officers in a group photograph with Executive of the AE-FUNAI Parents’ Forum led by their Chairman, Engr. Chidi Onwe Ogah (6th L)
‘’Today as I commission my first project as the 3rd VC of this University, I pray that more projects will follow’’ he said.



Meanwhile the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Elom has also inaugurated a university-wide Committee to fast-track the commencement of Agency Banking in the University.

Inaugurating the 6-man Committee in his Conference room yesterday, the Vice-Chancellor charged them to expedite action to ensure that the bank takes off before the commencement of the 2020/2021 academic session in April 2021.

He further charged the Committee to embark on market survey to find out the charges of private POS operators, and proffer a lower rate in the interest of students, adding that the idea of agency banking was borne to ensure that the pains students go through in accessing banking facilities were ameliorated, and to increase the University’s internally-generated revenue (IGR).

“…Find out what POS operators are charging, and proffer something lower”, the Vice-Chancellor stated.


VC, Professor Sunday Elom (5th L) and some principal officers in group photograph with members of the Committee on Agency Banking
The Chairman of the Committee, Professor Abel Ezeoha, in his response assured the Vice-Chancellor of their commitment, and promised that the Committee would work assiduously towards delivering on their terms of reference.



The Committee has 2 weeks to turn in their report to enable the University Management kick-start the process for the take-off of agency banking in the institution.



Members of the Committee are: Professor Abele Ezeoha (Chairman), Mr. Rafiu K. Aliu, Mr. Cornelius Offia, Mr. John Ekpe and Mr. Godfrey Obeta while Mrs. Kate Nwankwo will serve as Secretary.