By Tunde Olofintila
The world Educational Body, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO, has extended its agreement with the 15-year-old Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, on the UNESCO Chair on Peace and Citizenship by another four years.
The agreement, which was initially consummated in 2020, ended on February 12, 2024, but renewed on 17 May 2024. The extended agreement will now end on June 30, 2028.
The cheery news was contained in a letter addressed to the Founder and Chancellor of the University, Aare Afe Babalola OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), by Prof. Demola Akinyoade, Chairholder on UNESCO Chair on Peace & Citizenship (UCPC), ABUAD, who is also the University’s Director of Part-time Studies.
In Akinyoade’s words: “This (the extension of the agreement) is the outcome of several months of back-and-forth correspondence between UNESCO and the Chair which ended on May 16, 2024.
He added: “We want to thank you for your letter of support that contributed to making this a reality. The Chair now comprises Professor Demola Akinyoade, the Chairholder, Professor Isiaka Alani Badmus, Co-Chairholder and a newly appointed additional Co-Chairholder in the person of Dr. Babatunde Oyinloye.
The renewal and the appointment of the new Co-Chairholder were communicated by UNESCO in letters addressed to the Vice Chancellor of the University, Prof. Elisabeta Smaranda Olarinde, through its Director, Future of Learning and Innovation, Dr Sobhi Tawil.
“The UNESCO Chair on Peace and Citizenship (ID2020NG1392) has immense potential to reinforce the ABUAD brand in the Global community of nations and the global academia.
“Indeed, it can significantly improve our rating on Times Higher Education (THE) annual ratings and keep ABUAD at the top, if properly utilized”.
“I am using this opportunity, on behalf of my Co-Chairholders, to plead for your support, and that of the University to the Chair, to realize its enormous potential for ABUAD and the Nigerian society at large”.
Akinyoade acknowledged the support of the Vice Chancellor, Provost of the College of Social and Management Sciences, Prof Christopher Aina, Prof. Abiodun Ojo, Chair holder, UNESCO Chair on Entrepreneurship Education for and Sustainable Development, and the Director of ICT, Dr Bayo Ogundipe, in the renewal of the agreement.
The UCPC was established to promote an integrated system of Research, Training, Information and Documentation and Outreach activities on Peace and Citizenship.
The Chair will facilitate collaboration between high-level, internationally recognized researchers and teaching staff of the University and other institutions in Nigeria, as well as elsewhere in Africa, Asia and the Pacific regions, and in other regions of the world.
The specific objectives of this Chair include the following, amongst others:
* Undertake empirical research on peace, conflict prevention and resolution with a view to promoting active citizenship in formal and non-formal settings.
* Help enhance the institutional capacity of relevant national and regional stakeholders involved in conflict prevention/resolution, and the development and promotion of active citizenship.
* Promote effective and active citizenship for peaceful and inclusive societies, through curriculum development, education and awareness-raising tools as well as IT applications, to enhance access to information and citizenship education, and
Collaborate with relevant community-based organizations, NGOs and higher education institutions on the formulation and implementation of effective policies for active citizenship.
The Chair therefore seeks Expression of Interest (EoI) from individuals, NGOs, CBOs, and Academic as well as Professional institutions interested in the activities of the Chair.
The EoI should be sent to the Senior Programme Administrator, UNESCO Chair on Peace and Citizenship,
Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti and/or via email unescochaironpeace@abuad.edu.ng.
True to Akinyoade’s prediction that the UNESCO Chair on Peace and Citizenship could significantly improve ABUAD’s rating on Times Higher Education annual ratings and keep ABUAD at the top, if properly utilized, the university recorded the following feats at the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact Rankings:
* No. 1 in the World for SDG 7 (Affordable and clean energy)
No. 1 in the World as Top Universities engaging in Outreach Programmes with a Stewardship score of 98.0 out of 100.
* No. 1 in the World in Stewardship with a stewardship score of 98.2 out of 100.
* No. 1 among all the 264 Federal, State, and Private universities in Nigeria for the third time in succession: 2022, 2023 and 2024.
*No. 4 among all the African Universities
* No. 142 out of all the 2,152 ranked World Universities in 2024, and
* The clear leader globally for both OUTREACH and STEWARDSHIP.
* Olofintila, ABUAD’s Director, Corporate Affairs, writes from Ado-Ekiti
