Igbo debate competition for Nanka undergraduates is the newest program of the Nanka students union. The primary objective of this competition is to enhance our knowledge of Igbo, to attain proficiency and to make us appreciate our language that is almost going into extinction in preference to English language.

This competition is proudly sponsored by Professor Mrs. Bernice Nwakaego Ezeilo, a former secretary of Nanka students union, and presently the Grand matron of Nanka students union. She is the first female African Professor of Clinical Psychology.
Date: Saturday, August 8, 2015.
Venue: Umudala Village Hall, Nanka
Time: 12noon.

PRIZES

Winner: the school that will win the competition will go home with the trophy and a cash prize of N60,000
Second position: N40,000
Third position: N20,000
Schools likely to participate
1. Nanka students union, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Chapter
2. Nanka students union, Federal Polytechnic Oko chapter
3. Nanka students union, Nwafor Orizu college of education, Nsugbe chapter
4. Nanka students union, Federal college of education(Technical) Umunze chapter
5. Nanka students union, Odumegwu Ojukwu University,(formerly Anambra state university) Igbariam campus Chapter
6. Nanka students union, Federal Polytechnic Oko, Atani Campus
7. Nanka students union, University of Benin Chapter

Each chapter is to be represented by a maximum of three (3) Speakers.
Students in secondary schools and undergraduates are all invited.

TOPIC FOR DEBATE: ONODU OBIBIA NDI OCHA DEBELE NDI IGBO

CHIEF JUDGE: Mrs. Chiago Ezeasor, a Masters degree holder in Igbo, she will be assisted by the Igbo teachers of Community High School, Agbiligba and St. Catherine’s Comprehensive secondary school, Nanka.
NB: If there is any chapter that is not listed above but is interested in participating, the President should be contacted on 08034965858 or 08083928131. Especially the University of Nigeria, UNN and UNEC chapter that has produced nine out of the sixteen Presidents of Nanka students union, but is currently in a state of despondency.
This event will be on video coverage, and as such those who can’t attend, can watch the video from our website later, www.nankastudentsunion.org.
The Nanka students union remains grateful to the Sponsor, Prof (Mrs.) Bernice Nwakaego Ezeilo, who apart from sponsoring this event for N145,000( covering cash prize of N120,000,N9,000 for the judges, purchase of trophy and refreshment) have also promised to pay for the video coverage. We cannot thank her enough.
Ndi Nanka this is worthy of emulation.
NB: Nanka students union is moving forward, be a part of this wind of change. There are other programs of the union awaiting sponsorship; such as
1. Essay competitions(which could be in Igbo or English),
2. Annual track events( this will be preferably in December during the xmas break, and it includes, 400m race, 1600m race, relay race and so on). The prize is as decided by the sponsors.
3. Professor James Ezeilo Memorial Mathematics Competition is not left out also.
Interested sponsors should kindly contact the union via the President on 08034965858. Remember, an investment into Nanka students union, is an investment into the future.

BRIEF RESUME ON PROF. BERNICE NWAKAEGO EZEILO Nee ONUZULIKE

(GRAND MATRON, NANKA STUDENTS UNION) SPONSOR OF NANKA STUDENTS UNION IGBO DEBATE.

Bernice Nwakaego Ezeilo Nee Onuzulike, from Nanka in Orumba North LGA of Anambra State, is a Professor of Clinical Psychology. She is the first Ph.D in Psychology produced from a Nigerian University, University of Nigeria Nuskka . She is also the first female African Professor of Clinical Psychology.

Qualification:
She is a Chartered Psychologist of the British Psychological Society , 1989. She obtained a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka(UNN) in 1984; a Licentiate in Clinical Psychology from the Nigerian Association of Clinical Psychologists in 1979. She obtained a Registered Nurse Certificate of the British Nursing Association in 1965.
Education:
Prof. Bernice Ezeilo was a pioneer student of B.Sc Psychology degree and M.A Psychology degree programmes at the University of Zambia, Lusaka and graduated in 1971 and 1975 respectively. She did her Nurse training 1961-1964 at the School of Nursing University College Hospital Ibadan Nigeria. .Her secondary education was at St. Catharins, Nkwerre. 1956 – 1960 and obtained a Grade 1 Certificate of WAEC.

Professional Experience:
Professor Bernice Ezeilo joined the Department of Psychology UNN in October 1975 as Assistant Lecturer and rose to the rank of Professor of Clinical Psychology and Coordinator of, Postgraduate Clinical Psychology Program in 1989. She was twice Head of Department of psychology. From 1992 -2000. Bernice Ezeilo was a Part Time Psychology Lecturer in the Department of Theology and Religion of St. Paul’s University College Awka. Bernice Ezeilo taught in the Department of Psychology at Ebonyi State University Abakaliki from 2004 -2011, first as a sabbatical staff 2004-2005, then as Adjunct Professor 2005 -2008, then as Contract Professor from 2008 – 2011 . In 2012, she was appointed as Contract Professor in the Department of Psychology Anambra State University, Igbariam ; where she teaches to date .

Publications:
Bernice Ezeilo has several empirical papers, published in both local and international journals, and book chapters in Nigeria and foreign books. Her publications include the books Family Stress Management , Principle of Psychology ,Nigeria Perspective and Sex Preselection. She was the founder and Director Centre of Psychological Services(CEPSER). Bernice Ezeilo was a WHO Consultant on the Integrated Management Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) ,Clinical Stimulation Programme in Nigeria 2003 .

Extracurricular activities:
Bernice Ezeilo participates in church and community activities. Bernice Onuzulike, as she was then known, was the foundation Secretary of Nanka Students’ Union in 1957 during her second year as a student of St. Catharines Nkwerre. In August 1998, Nanka Students Union awarded her the titles Adadioranma and Odiukonamba. Later she was appointed Matron Nanka Students’ Union. She had been participating in activities of the Union at University of Nigeria Nsukka and Enugu Branches as well at home in Nanka as Guest of Honour and/Guest Speaker. Recently, she was appointed as the Grand matron of Nanka students union at the 2015 Easter general meeting of Nanka students union.
Her hobbies include singing: Soprano and Choral during, musical performances on stage, radio and television
Her academic prowess and Professional competence earned her awards from her academic and professional associations, as well as the International Biographical Centre (IBC) Cambridge WHO is WHO awards, She also received Community Service awards from her home community in Nanka . Prof. Bernice Ezeilo was married to late Prof. Gabriel Ezeilo also of Nanka and is blessed with four children and three grandchildren.

Nanka students union inaugurates Nanka young stars club in Community secondary school, Enugwu Nanka. Nanka young stars club is an initiative of the current administration geared towards integrating students at the secondary school level into the programs of Nanka students union. This will serve as a platform for periodic visits on educating the students on discovering their potentials and a guide in career choice, skill acquisition summits and bridging the gap on subjects where the school lacks the teachers.

The Onowu of Nanka students union; Onowu Nwachinaemerem Sopuru Anaeto who was also in the President’s entourage was appointed to serve as the coordinator of the NANKA YOUNG STARS CLUB of Community Secondary school, Enugwu Nanka. The school applauded this initiative and promised to work with the students union in this regard. Nanka young stars club had earlier been inaugurated at the St. Catherine’s comp.sec.school(ACADA) and this thurdsday, the president and his team will inaugurate the Community High School, Agbiligba Nanka chapter; before proceeding to the UNIZIK CHAPTER of Nanka students union. students of the school in pix, staff and the president with Onowu.

Nanka students union in her last general meeting, inaugurated an Audit Committee to look into the students union account from 2012 to 2014. The committee is as follows

• Chairman is: Rt.Hon Justice Toochukwu Obiora, Chief Justice, SUG Federal Polytechnic Oko.
• Secretary: Rt.Hon. Justice Ifesinachi Muoneme, Former Chief Justice,SUG,Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka.

NB: THE COMMITTEE REQUIRES OUR CO-OPERATION.

Nanka students union President visited to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka chapter of the Nanka students union on May 28th. The visit was part of the National president’s tour of chapters of Nanka students union.

The president was accompanied by the Onowu and the Director of sports who is also from the Unizik chapter. The unizik president and his excos commended the present leadership of the union and promised to work together with the present administration.

The first picture was taken at the Dec. 30th 2014 Public Lecture delivered by Distinguished Research Prof. Chike Akoh at the Etti Civic Centre.

The second picture was taken at the Prof’s residence in Ifite village, Nanka.

Click on any picture to view a bigger version.

ON DISTINGUISHED RESEARCH PROFESSOR CHIKE AKOH’S LECTURE DELIVERED ON 30TH DEC.2014 AT ETTI CIVIC CENTRE, NANKA.
Globalization, Education, Community Development and service; THE WAY FORWARD FOR NANKA
The distinguished Research Prof. Vegetarische Casmir Chike Akoh , is one of the outstanding revelation of the 21st century in the field of food science. A worthy ambassador of Nanka,a former President of students union, an easy going gentleman. He led a team of eminent professors to the N.P.U Annual general meeting held at Etti civic centre, where he delivered a timely and remarkable lecture. He was to address the Nanka students on the 29th day of December 2014, he actually visited Umudala Hall where he addressed the students some time ago, hoping to meet them at the hall, but for poor communication on the part of the students union, he met no one.
In this epochal lecture, the D.R.Prof.Akoh enunciated his humble beginning and the hurdles he crossed on the road to the top. He reiterated that hard work pays. He sees education as the means to prosperity
“Education is a means to prosperity”. An informed person is an educated person. Nanka citizens can be justifiably proud of the number of educated indigenes but that is not enough or should we say, do we gainfully utilize the education? He continued “Education –both formal and informal means enables one to posses knowledge, money to contribute to Nanka development, donate to a course, charity, have personal pride and self-sufficient.”
This is an all encompassing definition of education coming from a renowned scholar. The area of interest here is:
“…to possess knowledge, money to contribute to Nanka development, donate to a course”.
A perusal at Nanka’s intimidating intellectuals in various disciplines as always published by NankaNews is a clear testimony of Nanka’s academic prowess. However, agreeing with D.R.Prof.Akoh’s definition of who an educated person is (of course as an undergraduate, I lack the capacity to argue his assertion),one continues towonder if Nanka actually possess the caliber of academicians I see on Nanka news always , especially when compared to the human capital and community development . If Nanka News is right then what is the issue? Is it that D.R.Prof.Akoh’s definition of education is absurd? Can we adjudge that Nanka is truly educated? To what extents have this translated this to Nanka’s development? D.R.Prof.Akoh did not just refer to professors as the only educated ones, as he discussed the concept of formal and informal education, which qualifies recipients of any to be considered educated
“We should use our education, formal and informal, for the development of Nanka”.
D.R.Prof.Akoh added “The Indian and Chinese people know how to help one another in business, work and academics. When they see their country men and women, they network, share information, and help them settle in USA and elsewhere in the world. Why can’t we Nigerians and Nankarians do the same? My goal is, and indeed that of all Nankarians should be, to help more Nankarians have the same opportunity and to see the life of many families uplifted and changed for the better”.

D.R.Prof.Akoh is impressed with the level of commitment and progress made by certain individuals in Nanka , which includes; Top class hotel, Ifite , Neros sports stadium , Rocktama Natural spring water , Ofuobi hospital, Nanka News, Etti computer institute , yearly free medical service to our people , various scholarships programs, school renovation and many others” He described them as our heroes. These lasting projects arelandmark achievements engineered by dedicated minds that have the good of our town at heart. If only 10% of educated Nankarians will imbibe his philosophy and utilize the resources within their disposal in emulation of the efforts of these heroes of our town, then Nanka will be transformed to a model community worthy of emulation.
He also advocated for a new Nanka where basic amenities will be readily accessible to all, a sort of a replica of what is obtainable in the U.S.
As a food scientist he is, conversant with the fact that health is wealth he commented on health education – what to eat, the right proportion and what not to eat in order to stay healthy.
Community Service
The most striking comment here read thus:
“Individuals serving the community, state , federal, or any organization must understand that it is a voluntary service and that they are not there to enrich themselves or become ‘gods’ so everyone can worship them. If you serve the people well, they will reward you and God will also bless you”.
This is not only applicable to the Nanka scenario, but a concern to global politics and economy.
Leadership in any capacity is a call to service and not a short cut to amassing wealth unjustly. This has become imperative even as we advocate and anticipate for a glorious future for our dear community. Selfless service to humanity should be a priority –a sacrificial approach towards the betterment of the lots of the human race. Great leaders began as humble servants. The lecturer, who we presume has not reached the peak of his profession/career because we look forward to that moment when he will receive the most wholesale jerseys prestigious laurel of NOBEL PRIZE which we earnestly pray for; for finding time out of his tight schedules in the states to come home to deliver this epoch lecture, that is a disposition synonymous with service to humanity, wholesale Minnesota Vikings jerseys an exhibition of the think home mentality giving back to the community that brought him up. The consciousness of selfless service to humanity, according to wholesale NBA jerseys the lecture was instilled into his mind, a long time ago – while growing up. He noted
“I happened to have served the Nanka students union in helping to produce ‘The Revival magazine’ offering extramural classes and the honour of serving as her President in 1979-1980 after Engr.Augustine Oforkaji. To me, community service means giving back to the community where you grew up, where you live and worship, where you got your education and where you work. It can be in the form of helping aged seniors buy something from the market, taking someone to the hospital , visiting a sick person, volunteering to help clean the road side of debris , volunteering to serve as an officer in your village or Umunna meetings, age grade , local branch of N.P.U in your city , organizing a fund raising event, medical event, medical services having a business in town that employs our people , helping some people achieve their dreams ,organizing extra mural and extra-curricular activities to keep our young ones out of trouble…….. You can help shape the development of Nanka and her future. You contribute your talent intellectual capabilities time and sometimes money to uplift your community you owe your success today to something or someone, if not for anything else; to the fact that you are a Nankarian.
Service is a selfless and sometimes thankless gift to the community and should not be regarded as a means to usurp power. You serve to make a difference. Through service, however you can be elected to an office that may have power , but that power is a trusted power to do a good job and be accountable to the community but not for self-enrichment . The good that you do lives after you. You are rewarded by God and people on earth, and it stays after you are gone. The ill gotten wealth will not follow you to the grave.”
On grooming future leaders, he believes that the time to start grooming future leaders for Nanka is now.
“We have to start with our young ones by giving them small projects and responsibilities. We need to encourage them to aim high but not settle for the second place.”
In this regards, I think the students union is a veritable platform where future leaders should be groomed. If this is prioritized then hopefully with time, we will begin to see former students union leaders occupying leadership position in Nanka , both in the patriotic union and state politics . The dark days of negligence and levity of the students union are over. The students today ought to be partners in progress and the leaders of tomorrow. A look at some former Nanka students union presidents before the union went into hibernation sometime in the 80’s are shown below:
1) Mr. Leonard Muoneme
2) Prof. Gabriel Chidolue
3) Sir. Christian Ezeigbo
4) Prof. Dan Ezeasor
5) Engr. Daniel Umeano
6) Engr. David Augustine Oforkaja
7) Distinguished Research Professor. ChikeAkoh(guest lecturer)
8) Mr. EnumaOkoli.
9) Mr. Kenneth Okoye and
Mr.Chike Okeke, and in 2004 Barrister Kachidebelu Bielu began the new era of the students union as President, which has been not been interrupted. These are men of goodwill who had a dream of a greater Nanka and understood the need for unity in actualizing our goals as a people, an objective they pursued on the platform of students Ndewoo unionism. Thus, they deserve to be commended, especially the pioneer president. They formed the firm foundation on which I am standing today as the students union president.
If I understood the distinguished Research Professor Chike Akoh vividly, he recommended that the leaders of look tomorrow (the youths) be integrated into today’s service where their integrity and commitment will be tested and this prepares them Cinema for the greater task ahead.
*Rounding off, he urged the young ones and anyone who is ambitious and wants to succeed in life to read the book written by Poly I.Emenike (MON) titled “Entrepreneurial spirits”

In conclusion, it was not an accident wholesale MLB jerseys that I was elected as President, N.S.U, on the same day this historic lecture was delivered, but an indication of a new dawn for the students union and our community.
We thank God for this valuable gift to Nanka , distinguished Research Professor Casmir Chike Akoh , for finding time to address Nankarians on pertinent and fundamental issues necessary in building our collective destiny as a town , and for finding time to design the Roadmap to the beautiful Nanka that we all yearn for, we cannot thank you enough. As a former student’s union president, we will not hesitate to draw from your vast experience in students’unionism, whenever the situation demands.
To Nankarians, who missed Nacional the lecture endeavor to get the lecture brochure from the editor, Nanka News, Mr Sam Ogbuju. It is not just a mere lecture brochure, but a compendium of the road map to our collective destiny.
However, to hear is one thing to understand who you’ve heard is another, to learn from what you understood is something else, but to act on what you‘ve learnt is all that really matters. A lot have been said, Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor spoke on the “Ogbaghi Aka” syndrome last year and so many developmental lectures have been delivered by our eminent scholars and illustrious sons. Can we confidently say that the recommendation from the various lectures presented to us has been fully implemented and its resultant benefits harnessed? Or has the lecture series become mere a ceremonial annual exercise?
All hands must be on deck, those at home and those in the diaspora must unite, with love, peace and with God, Nanka ga abu Nnukwu obodo eji ama atu.
God bless Nanka.
Comrade Samuel C.A Jonas
16th President, Nanka students Union
08034965888, 08083928131