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.