National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN)

By Chibuike Nwabuko

ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Vice-Chancellor of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Professor Uduma Oji Uduma, has been honoured with the Youth Ambassador Award 2026 in recognition of his contributions to educational leadership and human capital development.

The award was presented to Prof. Uduma on Sunday, September 27, 2026, at the National Defence College, Abuja, by the Initiative for Youth Transformation and Positive Change.

The organisers said the honour was in recognition of the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership and commitment to advancing education, developing human capacity and creating opportunities that contribute to the growth and empowerment of young people.

Receiving the award on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, the university’s Head of New Media, Mr. Ambrose Bernard Gowong, expressed appreciation to the organisation for the recognition, describing it as an encouragement to continue promoting initiatives that expand access to quality education and support human capital development.

He said education remained a critical instrument for transforming individuals and society, stressing the need for institutions to equip young people with the knowledge, skills and values required to contribute meaningfully to national development.

The Vice-Chancellor also reaffirmed NOUN’s commitment to its mandate of providing accessible and flexible higher education to Nigerians, irrespective of geographical location or circumstances.

He noted that the University’s open and distance learning model provides opportunities for learners who may be unable to pursue conventional university education, thereby contributing to the development of a more inclusive and skilled workforce.

The NOUN VC further emphasised the importance of collaboration among educational institutions, government agencies, civil society organisations and youth-focused groups in addressing the challenges facing young Nigerians and unlocking their potential.

The Youth Ambassador Award adds to the recognition of the Vice-Chancellor’s leadership at NOUN, particularly in the areas of educational access, institutional development and human capital advancement.

The award ceremony brought together stakeholders and personalities committed to youth development, education and positive social transformation.

By Our Reporter

ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) has announced the sudden death of its Bursar, Mallam Nasiru Gusau Marafa, who was reportedly shot while returning from Gusau, Zamfara State.

The university disclosed this in a statement signed by its Registrar and Secretary to Council, Oladipo Adetayo Ajayi, on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor, Governing Council, Management, Senate, staff and students of the institution.

According to the statement, Marafa’s death occurred on Sunday, September 6, 2026.

The university said information available to it indicated that the deceased was shot while returning from Gusau, although it did not provide further details about the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Marafa was described as a dedicated and committed staff member who served NOUN meritoriously and held various positions of responsibility during his career.

The statement noted that he was appointed Bursar of the university in September 2026 and assumed the position with a strong sense of duty and commitment to the advancement of the institution.

“His sudden demise is a profound loss to the University community,” the statement said, describing him as a “distinguished colleague, dedicated administrator and valued member of the NOUN family.”

The university extended its condolences to Marafa’s immediate family, relatives, friends, colleagues and others mourning his death, while praying to Almighty Allah to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.

NOUN said further information on the burial arrangements would be communicated once details were released by the family.

The university also prayed that Allah forgive the deceased’s shortcomings and grant him Al-Jannah Firdaus, while asking for strength for his family and the wider university community.

By Chibuike Nwabuko

ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – Human rights lawyer and public affairs commentator, Chidi Odinkalu has paid glowing tribute to retired Kogi State High Court judge, Omolaye Alaba-Ajileye, describing him as a jurist of exceptional integrity and intellect whose judicial courage came at a personal cost.

Odinkalu made the remarks on his X handle on Wednesday ahead of the official launch of Alaba-Ajileye’s new books on electronic evidence scheduled to hold on Wednesday at the Conference Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) in Abuja.

Reflecting on their time on the Bench, Odinkalu said Alaba-Ajileye distinguished himself while serving as a judge of the High Court of Kogi State, where he handled some of the most challenging and sensitive cases with remarkable fairness and balance.

According to him, the retired jurist consistently demonstrated integrity and intellectual depth in the discharge of his duties, maintaining impartiality despite the complexities of the matters before him.
Odinkalu, however, lamented that Alaba-Ajileye allegedly suffered institutional setbacks because of his commitment to justice, claiming that he was denied the career advancements and official recognition he deserved as a consequence of his judicial courage.

“Professor Omolaye Alaba-Ajileye served with my integrity and intellect on the High Court of Kogi State, taking on some of the most difficult cases in the system and retaining balance while he did so.

As reprisal for his judicial courage, he was denied the preferments that were his due,” Odinkalu stated.
Following his retirement from the Bench in 2023, Alaba-Ajileye transitioned into academia, joining the National Open University of Nigeria as a professor, where he has continued to contribute to legal scholarship.

Odinkalu noted that the retired judge has built considerable expertise in the highly specialised field of electronic evidence, an area of growing significance in modern legal practice due to the increasing reliance on digital technology in criminal and civil litigation.

He described the books to be unveiled as groundbreaking contributions to Nigeria’s legal literature, expressing confidence that they would enrich the country’s jurisprudence and serve as valuable reference materials for judges, lawyers, academics, law enforcement agencies, and students.

Precise Post recalls that the book launch is expected to attract members of the legal profession, academics, judicial officers, policymakers, and other stakeholders interested in the evolving landscape of electronic evidence and digital justice administration in Nigeria.