(Photo:Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed (GCON) in a worm handshake with the Vice Chancellor if the National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Vincent Ado Tenebe at the lecture)
The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has been described as a foremost institution for the provision of quality and comprehensive education for the citizens of this great country.
Chief Justice of the federation (CJN), Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed (GCON) made the declaration at the 4th annual lecture in honor of the chief Justice of the federation titled “Law as an instrument of Excellence and integrity” organized by the school of law NOUN in Abuja.
The CJN added that NOUN which was resuscitated in 2001 by the Obasanjo’s administration was designed to provide unrestricted tertiary education to Nigerians “I know its a fact that the National Open University of Nigeria was initially established on the 22/July/1983 as a medium for open and distance learning in Nigeria. Although it was suspended by the government on the 25/April/1984, it was resuscitated on the 12/April/2001 by the former President of the federal Republic of Nigeria, chief Olusegun Obasanjo, GCFR with the sole mission to provide qualitative affordable distance learning”
“The success story (of NOUN) lies in testimonies of its astuteness, past and present. Indeed for our dear citizens, the university is now an indispensable tool for achieving educational empowerment” the CJN added.
The chief Justice of the federation also added that NOUN being the biggest institution in the country with its unique mode of education delivery, is providing unrestricted access to educate prisoners, artisans, house wives and other underprivileged Nigerians. “With over 408,000 students, it is Nigeria’s largest single tertiary institution offering over 50 programs and 507 courses. It is indeed laudable, from prisoners to full time artisans, and even house wives in Nigeria, NOUN unique model now allows all to simly combine their daily work and routine with flexible school schedule”.
Justice Mahmud Mohammed further stated that this year’s lecture provided a special avenue to bridge the divide in other to dialogue on issues that binds us all. “This event has provided a veritable forum for us to bridge the divide, boarders, language and geography in order to dialogue on issues which commonly bind us all. This further relates me to the fact that the role of NOUN is crucial to the fulfilment of improved education for all persons in Nigeria irrespective of our desired background”.
In his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor National Open University of Nigeria, Prof. Vicent Ado Tenebe said “the NOUN school of law was one of the units approved by the federal ministry of education through the National universities commission (NUC) in 2003. Thereafter we produced the detailed program proposal inline with the NUC BMAS. This is what other universities use all over Nigeria. Our students receive lectures and we have first class course materials prepared by seasoned academics and professionals in law and legal studies”.
