The acting head of the Sociology and Anthropology Department of Benson Idahosa University, Dr Eguonor Oleabhiele, has said that the department has produced over 230 graduates in 20 years, some of whom have become change agents.
Speaking at a press conference at the university premises on Wednesday, Oleabhiele said that the department, which started with nine students enrolled at its inception, has seen an improvement in enrolment over the years, which has put the department on a sound footing.
The HoD noted that the Cultural Carnival and the opening ceremony of the department’s 20th anniversary are slated for Saturday at the auditorium of Legacy Campus, Okha, Benin City.
She added that other events lined up for the days are keynote address presentations, special awards and recognition, cultural presentations and exhibitions, dance, drama, and music among others.
She said, “The Department of Sociology and Anthropology is celebrating 20 years of producing social agents, change agents for national transformation. The first set of student enrolled, which I was one of, were nine and eight graduated.
She said, “Over the years, the department had grown with enrolment rate improving and it has graduated over 230 students.
“The celebration aims to showcase the department and the university’s pivotal role in Nigeria’s global relevance in fostering education for the production of social agent research and development among academic staff while also commemorating our community service efforts.
“Apart from the cultural carnival, other activities lined up for the anniversary celebration are the alumni dinner in July to allow networking and unite graduates of the department, the international conference on Afrocentric sociology and anthropology that will bring together academics, practitioners and students to have a discussion on the subject matter and to showcase some of our innovative research.”
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Special Duties, of the university, Prof. Theresa Akpoghome, who stood in for the Vice Chancellor, said the university has come of age and celebrating the Sociology Department at 20 would showcase the department.
She stated, “Our university as you see, has come of age and that is why we are celebrating the Sociology Department at 20. Some persons may not know that we have Faculty and Department of Sociology that is 20 years old.
“Occasions like this allow us to showcase ourselves to the world, tell them the achievements of the department, what we are doing and what we will do in the future.
“It also helps us to market the department and hoping that at the end of this anniversary celebration, it will help increase the students’ intake into the department.”
The Dean of the Faculty of Social and Management Science, Prof. Rosemary Obasi, said that the department has been able to train students who have been made to understand that social interaction is essential.
