UNN VC Pledges Sustainability of ACE-SPED Project as Team of Evaluators Visits

A team from the World Bank and AAU, on Tuesday, February 20, 2021, visited the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power, Energy and Development (ACE-SPED), University of Nigeria to evaluate the operations of the Centre and to assess the success it has made in the pursuit of its mandate.

The team and the management of ACE-SPED paid a courtesy visit on the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN).

The leader of the team and subject matter expert, Prof. Joseph Mutale said that the visit was necessary to make an on-site assessment of the progress of the Centre and to provide reliable feedback to the World Bank and the AAU. Other members of the team include Yvette Quashie from the AAU and Simi Sophia Gwom from the NUC.

Professor Mutale said that the funding lifespan for the ACE-SPED project is meant to end by June 2024, but it has been extended to 2025 to enable the Centre to expend the resources voted for it.

The subject matter expert congratulated the ACE-SPED on the progress of its new building, stating that he would inform the AAU and the World Bank that the Centre is on track.

In his response, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Charles Igwe thanked the team for their visit. He said that the university's administration was determined to make ACE-SPED a model for centres of excellence in Nigeria.

He reiterated the determination of his administration to ensure the speedy completion of the ACE-SPED building and the commitment of the University of Nigeria to the sustainability of the ACE-SPED programme beyond funding from the World Bank.

Prof. Igwe said that he had instructed that, with effect from the next session, regional students of ACE-SPED be moved to the newly completed NUGA Hostel to provide more comfortable accommodation for them.

He expressed confidence in the leadership of ACE-SPED, stating that the Director, Prof Emnike Ejiogu is a "known workaholic, who has a reputation for achieving results"

From l-r: DVC, Academic of  UNN, Prof Johnson Urama;  Simi Sophia Gwom from NUC; Yvette Quashie from AAU; VC of UNN, Prof. Charles Igwe; Subject matter expert, Prof. Joseph Mutale and the DVC Administration, Prof. Romanus Ezeokonkwuo. Director of ACE-SPED, Prof Emenike Ejiogu (2nd row) and programme heads of ACE-SPED after a courtesy call on the management of the University of Nigeria on Tuesday, February 20, 2024. Photo: Inya Agha Egwu.

 

 

Director of ACE-SPED, Prof. Emenike Ejiogu addressing management of the University of Nigeria at the Vice-Chancellor’s conference room. Tuesday, February 20, 2024.