Minister of Education, Dr.
Sam Egwu has charged the
universities representing
Nigeria at the 2010 edition
of the Zain Africa Challenge
to ensure the country
maintains its top rating in
the continent. In a goodwill
message to the Nigerian
delegation to the
International Inter-
university academic fiesta
in Kampala, Uganda, the
Minister urged the students
to return with laurels.
Egwu stressed that the
success of the contingent
will "boost the academic
standing of our
universities, as well as
uplift Nigeria's global
image".
The institutions that
qualified for the
international competition
that would represent the
country include: University
of Ibadan (UI); University of
Nigeria (UNN), Nsukka;
University of Abuja;
University of Maiduguri
(UNIMAID) and University of
Jos (UNIJOS).
In all, 32 Universities drawn
from West, East and
Southern Africa will compete
for the Zain trophy and the
associated institutional
grant for the winning
universities in the
competition.
The Minister said: "I
forward with patriotic
fervour and unimaginable
joy, this goodwill message
to the Nigerian contingent
for this year's Zain Africa
Challenge. One is enthused
that, this time around, five
Nigerian Universities are
participating in the
continental competition, now
watched by the whole
world."
He recalled that Nigeria won
the contest at the country's
first participation in the
third season of the contest
last year– a feat achieved
by the University of Ibadan.
He congratulated the five
Universities for emerging
from the National Qualifying
Tournament of Zain Africa
Challenge 2010 to reach
their current positions.
Dr. Egwu charged the
students to be good
ambassadors of Nigeria.
According to him, "I
understand that you will be
competition with other
University teams from
Ghana, Malawi, Kenya,
Sierra Leone, Tanzania,
Uganda and Zambia in the
academic contest that has
become so popular and
exciting.
"As you go into the
continental contest, you
should exhibit all the traits
of good ambassadors of
Nigeria. Remember that you
are representing a country
that is not only the Giant of
Africa, but also the pride of
the continent," said Egwu.
Egwu also advised the
students to be humble and
respectful to their handlers
and comply with the rules of
the game. He noted that
conducting themselves with
decorum would boost their
chances of becoming
continental champions and
also showcase the good
image of the country.
Zain Africa Challenge is part
of Zain's corporate social
responsibility efforts and
represents an extension of
its corporate commitment to
making 'A Wonderful World'
for its customers.
The competition is endorsed
by the Ministries of
Education in each country
along with the Inter-
University Council for East
Africa (IUCEA) and the
National Universities
Commission in Nigeria (NUC).