By Ikenna Nwokedi
The Chisco Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain Management (CILSCM) recently paid a courtesy visit to the Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Professor Joseph Ikechebelu.
The delegation made up of staff members and top brass of the Directorate led by its Director, Associate Professor Paul Chukwulozie Okolie stated that the essence of the courtesy visit was to congratulate the new acting Vice-Chancellor on his appointment, brief him on the Centre’s services, seek for continuous support and also to key into his agenda of Happy Productive Staff and Happy Progressive Students.
In his remarks, Dr. Okolie disclosed that the Institute was upgraded to a Directorate in May 2023 as part of efforts by the previous administration under Prof. Esimone towards making its dreams of becoming a technical development center a reality.
The CILSCM Director disclosed that before the upgrade, the Institute had attracted some funds through him as a coordinator which was utilized to set up a Technical, Vocational Education Training (TVET) centre that housed Electrical/Electronic, Heat Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVAC), Welding and Fabrication, Automotive, and Office Technology Management (OTM) Laboratories in the Institute for different trades cum skill acquisition in preparation for the commencement of National Skill Qualifications Framework (NSQF) in collaboration with the awarding bodies of those trade areas and National Board for Technical Education (NBTE).
Dr. Okolie averred that the institute under his watch with the full support of the immediate past VC and the Ag. VC anchored Quality Assessors Assessment (QAA) training for the staff of the University in different trade areas to raise assessors who will man the National Skill Qualification Framework program upon commencement while also disclosing that sign-off date and certification training of qualified assessors by NBTE will take place from 29th June to 6th July at the institute making the University the first and only University in the land to key into such a programme.
The scholar also informed that the change of name from Chisco Institute for Transportation Studies to her current name led to the domiciliation of the Logistics and Supply Chain Management Programme in the institute making it possible for the Institute to take off with two Postgraduate programmes namely; Transport & Logistics and Logistics & Supply Chain Management.
The Director also revealed that the apprenticeship programme of the institute is waxing strong with the first set of candidates expected to graduate soon, he further revealed that the auto repair workshop is witnessing a turnaround maintenance which will see to the installation of new equipment such as car lifts, tyre changers, wheel balancers, and alignment kits with other tools in readiness for professional services as in the days of the previous administration. Dr. Okolie thanked the Acting Vice-Chancellor for his support while promising that the Directorate would key into his dreams and aspirations of taking the institution to higher heights.
Responding, the institution’s Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ikechebelu thanked Dr. Okolie and his team for finding time to pay him a courtesy visit and keying into his short-term goals. Prof. Ikechebelu affirmed that the Centre played a very pivotal role in the previous administration with the technical services rendered to the institution in the form of repairs and services of the official vehicles of the University which also was extended to staff members who now patronized the centre owing to the level of professionalism and competence. He assured the institute of his support and as well sending of university fleets to the institute’s workshop once it is ready to recommence professional services.
The Ag. VC revealed his short-term goals encapsulated in the acronym ‘BLESSED’ translating to Beautiful UNIZIK, Light-Up UNIZIK, Excellent UNIZIK, Safe and Secured UNIZIK, and Digitize UNIZIK. The scholar averred that the short-term goal of the administration is targeted at Happy Productive Staff and Happy Progressive Students.
Prof. Ikechebelu advised the Directorate to ensure they maintain their level of professionalism in ensuring that the center remains top-notch in its services. The Ag. Vice-Chancellor assured the members of staff of the support of his administration to the centre towards taking it to the next level.
Present during the courtesy visit were Pharm. Dr. Sunday Nduka, Coordinator, Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Deputy Director of International Collaboration and Linkages; Engr. Dr. Sylvester Emeka Abonyi, Deputy Director 1 CILSCM; Engr. Dr. Obiora Nnaemeka Ezenwa, Deputy Director II CILSCM; Mrs Ngozi Alukwe, the Institute Secretary; Mr. Chinenye Ozokwe; Engr. Ugochukwu Ibeanu and a host of others.
