President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed the Benin Monarch, His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin, as Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Abuja.
This was officially conveyed by the Vice Chancellor of NOUN, Professor Olufemi Peters, during a courtesy visit to the Oba on Friday in Benin City.
Prof Peters said that the courtesy visit to the monarch was informed by the need to introduce the University’s management team to the Oba, a gesture he said was routine in the University.
“We are grateful to His Royal Majesty, Ewuare II, Oba of Benin for his granting us the audience to come and pay a courtesy visit on him,” Prof Peters said.
“It is normal what we have done, especially when a new Chancellor is appointed in the University, we must come to see him so that he will know members of the University’s management team.
“We have heard so much about the Benin tradition and culture, we thank the Benin people for keeping to their culture and tradition,” he said.
The NOUN Vice Chancellor disclosed that the University is the biggest in the country, adding that the rationale behind the establishment of NOUN is to bring university education to many Nigerians irrespective of their locations, circumstances and social hindrances.
“That is why, Your Royal Majesty, we have study centres across Nigeria and we have over 120,000 students across the country.
“It is the biggest university in Nigeria that Your Royal Majesty has been appointed to be the Chancellor,” he said.
Responding, Oba Ewuare II expressed appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari for the appointment, saying that his appointment as Chancellor of NOUN was in recognition of the Benin Kingdom as well as the work being done by the kingdom.
“I am most grateful to the Commander-In-Chief, President Muhammadu Buhari, for deeming me fit and appointing me as Chancellor of the University,” Ọbá of Benin said.
“I am elated and happy that I have been appointed as Chancellor of the University. We thank God and our ancestors for the recognition.
“It is a recognition of the work we have been doing, recognition of Benin Kingdom, the cultural ways we have displayed all along,” he said.
The Oba promised to bring all his wealth of experience to bear as Chancellor of the school.
It would be recalled that the Oba of Benin was recently appointed as Chancellor of Bayero University, Kano by President Buhari.
