UNN Unveils Postage Stamps In Honour Of Zik, Pioneer Vice Chancellor

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THE University of Nigeria (UNN), in partnership with the Nigeria Postal Services (NIPOST), has unveiled new postage stamps with the images of the founder of the university, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, the university’s pioneer vice-chancellor, Dr. George M. Johnson, and the incumbent Vice Chancellor, Professor Benjamin Ozumba.

The stamps, which were launched at the Princess Alexandra Auditorium, UNN, also have the logo of the just concluded 4th West Africa University Games hosted by the university.

According to Ozumba, the stamps were commemorative icons to mark the 55th Anniversary of the University which was celebrated recently. He explained that, “commemorative stamps serve as instruments of exporting photographs and cultural identities of people across the globe. It is our belief that these stamps will carry the visions and missions of the UNN to other parts of Nigeria and the world over.”

The Vice-Chancellor hailed the University’s of Nigeria Alumni Association and NIPOST for driving the programme, which he said would be a testimony of the University’s successful hosting of the West African University Games.

Explaining the role of the association, the National President of the alumni association, Chief Andrew Oru said the launching of the stamps “was the first major step of the association towards projecting the high academic standard of the university to the world. The stamps were made to give honour to the legends of the University, who through their hardwork had given the institution an enviable academic record.”

The Acting Post Master General of the Federation, Arch Enoch Ade Ogun, praised the UNN management and the Alumni Association “for recognising the value of postage stamps as powerful medium of communication that could stand the test of time. “NIPOST is proud to be associated with the institution in celebrating its 55th anniversary with the launching of the commemorative postage stamps.”

According to him, the university made a wise decision by choosing stamps to “immortalise its heroes because postage stamps are described as miniature encyclopedia and living reminders of events.”

The PMG noted that because of the status of the UNN as the first indigenous university in Nigeria, “the commemorative stamps are expected to be the toast of stamp collectors across the globe.” He said that the stamps would be circulated throughout the 200 member countries of the Universal Postal Union as well as in all outlets of the Nigerian postal services.

Source: TheGuardian