“Optimal university management could only be achieved when the parameters of best practices are adopted in the operations of the university towards teaching, research and community services, which are the primary functions of the university,” said Mr Oluwarotimi Shodimu at the Second Registry Day Celebration held last Tuesday at the Ebitimi Banigo Auditorium, University Park.

 

 

Shodimu, who was the immediate past Registrar of the University of Lagos, made the assertion while delivering a lecture titled: “Towards Optimal Management: Challenges and Prospects of 21st Century Registry,” stating that the lecture focused on the need for the advancement of knowledge through conscious efforts of University Managements with the Registry as the arrowhead of implementation of policies to ensure their optimal implementation. 

“Each institution has its set goals and objectives which are captured in the vision and mission of the University as what it aims to accomplish. The Registry as major stakeholder has the primary responsibility for the implementation of the policies of the University. A University is considered dead when the Registry is not positioned for the challenges and charges in the management of tertiary institution,” he further discussed, stating that parameters of attaining the desirable and comparable goals is the adoption of universal best practices which determine the ranking of the University. He praised the University of Port Harcourt for repositioning itself for excellence. “I see UniPort excelling among others,” he said.

 

The former Secretary of Council of Unilag, urged Registry staff to always see themselves as bridges that provide the linkage and passage that would take the University to greater heights and surmount the challenges that may confront the Registry in the university system at the turn of the century. 

“The 21st Century Registry has hopes, but it is not without obvious challenges which are surmountable with only commitment and focus. We should be optimistic only to the extent that we are all sincere to the goals and objectives of the University. Ours is call to sacrifice. Let's ensure best practices,” he concluded.

 

Chairman of the Occasion and 2nd Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Sylvanus Cookey, congratulated the Registrar for conceiving the idea of setting aside a day for Registry Staff to celebrate and appraise their services towards the growth of the University, calling on all stakeholders, including Alumni to contribute towards making the University a Centre of Excellence in teaching, research and community services.

In his address, Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joseph Ajienka, who emphasized the role of the Registry Department as the engine room in the administration of any university, expressed satisfaction with the Department for contributing immensely to the advancement of the University, particularly in its entrepreneurial drive under his administration. 

 

Represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration), Professor Ethelbert Nduka, the Vice-Chancellor promised that “The University Management will continue to support the Registry Department to play its roles in the University and it is my expectation that our Registry Department will be one of the best in the Nigerian University System in the nearest future”.

 

Earlier, the Registrar, Mrs Matilda Nnodim, restated her commitment to reposition the Department towards effective service delivery through empowering the Staff Training and Development Unit (STDU) for training and retraining of staff and re-awakening the University branch of Association of Nigerian Universities Professional Administrators (ANUPA) to overcome the challenges militating against professionalism, mentoring and succession planning.

“We are under pressure to adopt new approaches to doing things in order to be relevant to the needs of our environment. We must display professionalism in the way we approach our jobs. We must be able to develop standards and take pride in the quality of our work. The University is becoming dynamic in its ways of thinking and planning, and we must reposition ourselves to fit in, hence, my call for change,” Mrs Nnodim said, disclosing that the Registry is partnering professional bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM) and Personnel Practitioners Consultative Association (PPCA), using ANUPA as a platform to mount aggressive training programme of staff.

 

Goodwill messages were presented by the 5th Vice-Chancellor, Emeritus Professor Nimi Briggs and Professor Benjamin Eheazu of the Faculty of Education. Highlights of the event included presentation of Awards to former Vice-Chancellors, Emeritus Professor Briggs and Professor Cookey, incumbent Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ajienka, and Registrars of sister institutions, as well as a musical performance.

Dignitaries at the event included the three Deputy Vice-Chancellors  of UniPort and Registrars of Rivers State University of Science and Technology, MrsDabaOdimabo; Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, IkemAdiele; College of Arts and Science, Mrs Georgina Benwoke; College of Education (Technical), Omoku, Mr Liverpool Onyije, while Council Officer, represented the Registrar of Niger Delta University.