STUDENT PERFORMANCE AT AVCNU ESSAY CONTEST EXCITES SALEM VARSITY

Salem University, Lokoja, Kogi State, has described the performance of one of its students, Mr. Jonathan Adejoh, who emerged third in the maiden essay competition organised by the Association of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities for under-graduates as heart-warming.

Adejoh, a 100 Level Economics student of the 15 month-old institution had been adjudged the third best in a competition that drew 140 participants from over 60 of the nation's 104 universities for the contest, where undergraduates were asked to write an essay on the topic, 21st Century student.

'It is heart-warming to note that Mr. Jonathan Adejoh, a 100 level global leader, as Salem University refers to its students, only lost to two other students who are in 300 and 400 levels respectively. His performance is a sign of what the nation should expect from products of this great institution,' the SU Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Paul Omaji, said.

Adejoh was one of the winners that were honoured during the just concluded 2010 annual conference of the AVCNU hosted by the Osun State University, Osogbo, last week.

Before the presentation of the prizes, the winners were given opportunity to speak on their essays. All the winners, including Adejoh, were applauded by the vice-chancellors for having done a great job to the topic.

As a result of their performance, the AVCNU decided to make the competition an annual event that would be included in the yearly conference of the association.

Meanwhile, SU has recruited a US-based expert in curriculum development and century learning style, Prof. Olivet Jaguash, to enhance its delivery of education excellence.

Jaguash, who has spent 17 years working in the United States, is expected to bring to SU a wealth of experience to bear on curriculum foundations, leadership and organisational change management, applied management, decision sciences and technology integration.

'His assignment, among other responsibilities, is to deploy curriculum transfor-mation and 21st Century learning styles in the raising of our global leaders,' Omaji stated in a release.

While accepting the appointment, Jaguash said, 'The university's vision, mission, and sentiment of making many mighty', in the challenging Nigerian context is a clear spiritual and transformative leadership approach based on the sainthood of all believers, and they cohere with my educational and leadership orientation and God assigned call on my life.

'I therefore know that I am joining a team that share my hopes and concern for a great Nigeria that ought to be sending out its best to the rest of the world. A hope once delayed, but hopefully, with institutions like Salem University, with transformative rather than transactional orientation coming on stage, our independent narrative will, hopefully, be re-activated.'