UNIVERSITY OF JOS

(OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR)

INFORMATION, PUBLICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROTOCOL DIVISION

 

PRESS RELEASE

 

UNIJOS ALUMNUS TO FACILITATE UNIVERSITY’S COLLABORATION WITH KOREA NATIONAL SPORTS UNIVERSITY

A distinguished Alumnus of the University of Jos, Princess Nwakego Ibrahim Pam has taken the initiative to facilitate the institutionalization of collaboration between the University and the Korea National Sports University (KNSU), South Korea.

This is through the enablement of processes that will lead to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) towards the establishment of a Sports Institute in the University with modern state-of-the-art sports facilities.

This came to light when the University's Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya, held a meeting in Abuja with Princess Nwakego Ibrahim Pam, who is the representative of the Korean Sports University in Nigeria.

According to Princess Nwakego Pam who is a 1990 graduate of Linguistics from the University of Jos, the initiative had long been conceived and attempts were made to commence the process, but the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the plan, a situation which according to her, brought great set back to the preliminary work.

Princess Pam explained that establishing a Sports Institute in UNIJOS will not only positively impact the University, but will drive the Plateau State economy through revenue generation while also uniting Nigerians who are passionate lovers of sports.

She explained that although the MOU would be a collaboration between KNSU and UNIJOS, it would be funded by the Korean Government while UNIJOS is expected to provide the land where the Institute would be sited within the University Campus. She stressed that part of the plan is to have exact replicas of the Korean University's state of the art sports facilities in UNIJOS in order to make it comparable with the best across the world. Princess Pam disclosed that when the Institute becomes fully functional, it will operate based on a comprehensive Sports Curricular that will include academic and exchange programmes where staff and students will participate.

She explained that the Sports Institute will offer cultural and vocational facilities for Korean cultural exchange programmes such as Korean Beauty Academy, Korean Kitchen and Café as well as Taekwondo Training Centre and Special Needs Facilities.

Responding, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya, hailed KNSU’s initiative describing it as thoughtful and timely coming at a period when the University is preparing to host the 27th edition of the Nigerian Universities Games Association (NUGA) in 2024.

The Vice-Chancellor while assuring of the viability of the proposed Institute, referred to Jos as a city with serene weather condition that has produced world-class athletes who are making gainful contributions in the field of sports around the world. He said, the University of Jos will immediately constitute a team to embark on a working visit to the Korean Sports University with a view to fast track the signing of the MOU that will culminate in the establishment of the Sports Institute.

Professor Ishaya who appreciated the Korean Embassy for building and donating the Taekwondo Gymnasium to the University in 2021, reiterated the University's maximum co-operation with KNSU in order to make the initiative a reality.

Meanwhile, another distinguished Alumnus of the University of Jos, Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar Kana has indicated his willingness to play a pivotal role in the preparations towards hosting of the 27th edition of the NUGA competition in UNIJOS. Dr Kana who is the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence and a former Student Athlete while studying as a Medical Student in the University, has been tapped to serve as Sports Ambassador of UNIJOS.

Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya revealed this when he hosted the Chairman and members of the University’s Sports Committee led by Professor Ishaya Pam in his office.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, an internationally renowned Sports Administrator and former Chairman of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and President of COJA, Dr Amos Adamu will be Alternate Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the next NUGA. He assured that the University will engage the services of experienced Sports Administrators, experts, enthusiasts and volunteers towards making the games a memorable one.  

Professor Ishaya said aside from the Lottery Trust Fund which the University is seeking assistance from, a Special Intervention has been secured from the Federal Government for the rehabilitation of the Indoor Sports Gymnasium in the University that was affected by windstorm adding that a substantial amount is also being dedicated for the smooth running of sporting activities in the University.

 

Signed

Abdullahi Abdullahi

Senior Deputy Registrar, Information and Publications

13/7/2023