The Day Angels Visited UNIZIK

 By Franklin Onwubiko

Monday, the 21st day of December, 2015 would remain indelible in the minds of the whole campus community of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. 

It was just like one of these normal days in the harmattan season; staff and students went about their normal routine typical of a normal Monday in UNIZIK. 

This was the scenario not until around 1pm on that very day. Walking towards the expansive university auditorium, the sweet melodious, harmonious, angelic, heaven bound tunes serenaded the atmosphere like the clouds in the sky. This ambiance at the institution's auditorium must have definitely converted the sinners around this writer as at that moment. 

On entering the auditorium out of curiosity to have a glance at the angels that visited the university named after the great Zik of Africa, to my chagrin, what this reporter saw, held him spell bound. 

On the stage, were angels in human form dishing out sweet Christmas tunes to the consternation of the audience. Probing further, I learnt that these were students and not angels like I thought from the department of Music, Nnamdi Azikiwe University ably led by the Music Maestro, Dr. Alvan Nwamara. Their songs reminded me that Christmas was just few days away. I bet their lecturers are terrorists because their renditions were "the bomb". 

This is an insight to what transpired at the UNIZIK Christmas carol and nine lessons; an annual event. Present at the occasion were the vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Joseph Eberendu Ahaneku together with his wife, Dr. Gladys Ahaneku, member of the university management, staff and students alike. 

In his address, Prof. Ahaneku who was visibly excited on the successes the university had recorded in the out-going year, thanked both tutorial and non tutorial staff for the cooperation and commitment towards the achievement of the laudable goals set by his administration most especially with regards to visibility. Ahaneku announced that the university from recent rankings has moved from her 36th position to 9th position in the country. According to him, the goal of becoming the best university in Nigeria is not far fetched with the level of commitment, hard work and dedication of the staff of the institution. He also stated that the university has continued to maintain steady university academic calendar. "Let us all embrace the new order to work not only for ourselves but for the society, human race and our country", Ahaneku said. Referring to the beautiful renditions of the Music department and electrifying performance from students of the department of Theatre and Applied arts, the vice Chancellor said, "We have talents that should not just be showcased within the university but outside the walls of the institution". He further commended the women of the university for playing active roles in character moulding and formation of the students. 

Rewarding some outstanding workers and units in the university, Prof. Ahaneku posited that his administration will always continue to reward hard work and diligence in the institution. He presented a cash prize of fifty thousand (N50,000) naira and a bag of rice each to deserving workers. The rewarded workers include Dr. Solomon Nwigbo from the department of Mechanical Engineering, Engr. Azubuike Aniedu from the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Mr. Steven Anakwuba and Mr. Eze Anselem Ugwoke both from the security department. Other units rewarded include Post Graduate School, Faulty of Engineering, Continuing Education Programme (CEP) and the General Studies (GS) unit. 

Earlier in his reflections, Rev. Fr. Dr. Wencelaus Ofojebe reminded Christians that Christmas is a call to share. He said that God is looking to see how much love we share to the poor and needy. He urged the staff and students to remember the less privileged even as they celebrate Christmas. " Christmas celebrates the gift of God's presence in our lives; let our presence be felt in other people's lives especially the poor and needy", Rev. Ofojebe said.