Foremost brewer, Nigerian Breweries Plc through the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund has donated an e-learning laboratory to the BioMedical Communication Centre (BCC) College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.
The e-learning laboratory, which comprises two main studios – a production studio and a live studio – and named after Elder Felix Ohiwerei, is estimated to be worth N40 million.Facilities in the laboratory include interactive boards, computers, computer accessories, cameras, professional lighting kits, microphones, headphones, monitors, processors, controllers, mixers and software, and studio lighting.
In addition, the Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund announced a commitment of a total of N20 million for the provision of internet service to the institution for a period of 4 years.
Speaking during the commissioning of the facility held at the hospital complex in Ibadan, Oyo State on Monday, July 22, 2024, the Chairman, Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund, Hans Essaadi who was represented by the Corporate Affairs Director, NB Plc, Sade Morgan noted that the facility was donated in fulfillment of its promise and to complement the effort of the Federal Government in improving the quality of education and research both for the students and lecturers.
According to Essaadi, the donation is specifically meant to meet the institution’s need for a contemporary audiovisual production centre necessary for the production of various content for its diverse audience both in real-time and on-demand.
Also speaking, the Vice-Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Prof. Kayode Adebowale who was represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration, University of Ibadan, Prof. Peter Olapegba commended Nigerian Breweries Plc for its invaluable role in advancing medical education in the College of Medicine as evidenced in the number of key projects that have been actualised in the last few years.
While urging for more support from the company, Adebowale said the institution would continue to make judicious use of the facility for the benefit of humanity.
In her remarks, the Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Prof. Olayinka Omigbodun expressed profound gratitude to the management of Nigerian Breweries-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund for the general support received over the years.
Omigbodun noted that such a remarkable gesture like the donation of an e-learning studio would significantly enhance the institution’s ability to provide quality research and service delivery to students in the medical field. She further stated that the medical equipment provided by NB-Felix Ohiwerei Trust Fund in the past has afforded students with hands-on experience and contributed immensely to the upgrade of the clinical skills laboratory to a standard that can compete favourably with other institutions of higher learning globally.
“The College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, has benefited immensely from the philanthropic initiatives of the Nigerian Breweries Plc and NB-Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund. During the time Elder Ohiwerei was chairman of the Council, he facilitated the donation of an entire building for the Department of Physiotherapy’’.
It would be recalled that in 2020, NB Plc through the Felix Ohiwerei Education Trust Fund donated medical training equipment worth N42 million to the College of Medicine, University of Ibadan.
