By Ikenna Nwokedi
The financial system and operations at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) Awka, Anambra State has been upgraded in line with global best financial and management practices.
This disclosure was made by the institution’s Bursar, Mr. Gozie Egwuatu during an exclusive interview with our reporter at his office.
Mr Egwuatu revealed that UNIZIK as a non-profit making institution operates using the financial system of International Public Sector Accounting Standard (IPSAS) for public enterprise as against International Financial Reporting System (IFRS).
The Chief Financial Officer of the institution opined that the general accounting principles governing IPSAS are spelt out in it’s financial guidelines but in a simple term the institution operates fund accounting.
He disclosed that with the upgraded financial system in place, making payments are now seamless especially student’s tuition fee which they can pay from the comfort of their living rooms with the aid of an android phone.
The fifth substantive bursar of the institution lamented the constant queues at the banks by students of the institution owing to their quest to make their tuition fee payment.
Mr Egwatu said: “The upgraded financial system has made making payments a seamless exercise for our students who can now pay their tuition fees from the comfort of their living rooms”,
“This is banking made easy, when I see the population at banks I get worried as I know that the average student has an android powered phone and with that device you can make payments”,
“During our time, we did not have the luxury of electronic banking, once you are back to school, you pay your fees and have your meal ticket but these days students wait until they are being pressed during exams and it becomes a challenge”,
“This is about attitude, if students understand that they are in the university for their studies, the universities from the first week of resumption will begin to provide the services but delay makes it difficult for the University to do so,” he said.
Mr Egwatu opined that as the head of the Bursary unit he will continue to put in place measures that will enhance efficient service delivery as part of his mandate to make the unit a goal oriented and dynamic service unit in line with the vision of ‘Project 200’ under the administration of the present Vice-Chancellor of the institution, Professor Charles Esimone towards ensuring that UNIZIK becomes number one in Nigeria, among the top 10 in Africa and top 200 at the global stage.
