A staff of the Department of Theatre Arts, Prince Abubakar Audu University (PAAU), formerly Kogi State University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Alidu Samuel Ojonugbede, has launched a book titled “Spark to Blast: Strategic Principles to Achieving All-Round Academic Excellence,” as well as a foundation known as Strategic and Sustainable Academic Mapping (SSAM) to assist students of the university to achieve excellence in school and in the wider society.
The author launched the book at a two-day event that began on August 11, at Classic Event Centre, Anyigba, with the unveiling of the foundation’s logo, with the motto, “Be Strategic, Excel.” Unveiling the logo of the foundation, Apostle Emmanuel and Grace Mimshack noted that the foundation could not have come at a better time than now when students are contending with many distractions. In a keynote address on “Achieving All-round Academic Excellence,” Dr. Gever Verlumun Celestine noted that the skills needed to be successful in society were different from those needed to be successful in the classroom. He urged students to develop their intelligence, emotional, social and adversity quotients, if they must succeed in the society and the classroom.
Day two of the event witnessed the launch of the book. In his review, Professor Felix Ehimare of the Department of Religious Studies, PAAU, described it as a useful guide for students to make the best use of their time in school and prepare for the wider society. The lead speaker, Mr. Nath Msen Awuapila, in his presentation, urged the students to develop themselves to be mentally independent so that they could handle challenges in the wider society. Other dignitaries at the two-day event included Professor Patrick Ukase, head of the Department of History and International Studies, Smart Akpah, JP, Dr. Esther Joseph Ephraim, Dr. Abah Danladi, Mr. Ogohi Salifu Peter, Mr. Ineke Ugbede, Mrs. Sarah James, Barrs. Usman Muhammed and Ekpa Friday, Dr. Hanna Ogwu, Dr. Tosin Alege, Dr. McDave Agaba and Dr. Ayoola Ambimbola Arowolo, among others.