Unijos Senate Approves Conversion of APLORI to Centre of Excellence

UNIVERSITY OF JOS, JOS NIGERIA

(OFFICE OF THE VICE-CHANCELLOR)

INFORMATION, PUBLICATIONS, PUBLIC RELATIONS & PROTOCOL DIVISION

PRESS RELEASE

UNIJOS SENATE APPROVES CONVERSION OF APLORI TO CENTER OF EXCELLENCE

Senate of the University of Jos has approved the conversion of the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI) and University of Jos Biological Conservatory to a Center of Excellence.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tanko Ishaya announced this during the Public Lecture organized by the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute and University of Jos Biological Conservatory to mark its 20th Year Anniversary Celebration which was held at the Aliyu Akwe Doma Indoor Theatre, Naraguta Campus of the University.

According to the Vice-Chancellor, APLORI’s marking of twenty (20) years of existence is a sign of maturity and demonstrates the Institute’s numerous strides, a factor which prompted Management to recommend to the University Senate the need to Convert the Institute to a Center of Excellence. According to the Professor Ishaya, the Senate also granted approval for the Institute to commence running of PhD Programmes and explained that the PhD programmes will be open to both Nigerians and foreign Students noting that Supervisors for the programme will equally possess international pedigree. He tasked Researchers in the Institute to ensure that their Research products are impactful to the immediate community and beyond.

The Vice-Chancellor further commended Staff of APLORI for keying into the vision of their founder, Dr Anastasio Paul Leventis even as he challenged them to demonstrate the Institute’s capacity to attract funds through Research grants.

In a Lecture titled “Here, There and Back: The Intra-African Migration Story of Woodland Kingfisher” the Guest Lecturer and Project Coordinator for the Yukon Salmon Sub-Committee, Canada and former Conservation Programme Coordinator, Birdlife Africa, Dr. Samuel Temidayo Osinubi said human activities, animal activities and other natural phenomena are factors that combine to push Birds into migration. He explained the three types of Bird migration to include complete, partial, differential and interruptible, adding that Woodland Kingfishers’ movement could be predictable, cyclic or benefit-based and are only commonly found in Africa especially in South Africa.

Dr. Osinubi said, nature is like a spider web where everything natural is considered as a factor that either contributes to its conservation or its destruction, noting that the act of felling trees should be restricted while more trees should be planted to guard against endangering the lives of wildlife and even humans.

Dr Osinubi who is an APLORI Alumnus of the University of Jos, appreciated Management of University of Jos and APLORI for availing him the platform to share the experience he has garnered over the years after graduating from the University.

Earlier, Director of the A.P. Leventis Ornithological Research Institute (APLORI), University of Jos Biological Conservatory, Professor Adams Chaskda revealed that since inception, the Institute has been the largest source of biodiversity with over Five Hundred Thousand (500,000) records found in the Amurum Forest, Jos East Local Government Area in Plateau State. According to him, this is part of the remarkable achievements that necessitated an elaborate celebration to mark the Institute’s 20th Year Anniversary which was to have taken place two years ago but could not hold due to the COVID-19 outbreak and later, the ASUU strike.

He added that since 2001, APLORI graduates have been plying their trade around the world with over 50% of them having obtained PhD Degrees while others are in the process of doing so.

Goodwill messages came from several dignitaries including the APLORI Founder and Funder, Dr. A.P. Leventis, represented by the Board Chairman, Mr. Philip Hull, Paramount Ruler of Izere Nation, Agbang Gwom Izere, His Royal Highness, Rev. (Dr.) Isaac Azi Wakili among others who all congratulated APLORI and the University of Jos for the great impact achieved through the training of Nigerians and other nationals in the area of Biodiversity Conservation.

Highpoints of the colourful event were Drama and Dance presentations by Students of the University’s Department of Theatre and Film Arts, Asharuwa Traditional Dancers as well as the presentation of plaques to some dignitaries including the Guest Lecturer, Dr. Samuel Temidayo Osinubi and Dr. A.P. Leventis for supporting the capacity building of Conservation Biologists across Africa.

Meanwhile, APLORI Board Chairman, Mr. Philip Hull has expressed delight that the Institute has put the University of Jos on the global map, stressing that it became necessary for the University to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the Institute while looking forward to future successes.

Mr Hull was speaking during a courtesy visit earlier paid to the University Management by the APLORI delegation including the 20th Anniversary Guest Lecturer and Unijos Distinguished Alumnus, Dr Samuel Osinubi at the Vice-Chancellor’s Boardroom, Administrative Building, Naraguta Campus.

Responding, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jos, Professor Tanko Ishaya commended the A.P. Leventis Foundation for funding the Institute and making the necessary sacrifices to ensure that it achieves its target.

The Vice-Chancellor assured that the University Authorities will continue to provide the requisite counterpart support to ensure the programmes run by the Institute are sustained in line with the founder’s vision and mission.

Signed 

Abdullahi Abdullahi

Senior Deputy Registrar (Information & Publications)

17/4/24