…It’s one of the biggest in Nigeria, says Dean
From Maurice Okafor, Enugu
The Sculpture Park of the Institute of Management and Technology, IMT, Enugu, will be modified to become one of the tourism centres in Enugu state.
The Rector of the Institution, Prof.Gozie Ogbodo made this known after inspecting various artworks at the Department of Art and Industrial Design of IMT along with the management staff and Alumni of the institution on Thursday, April 17.
He disclosed that the management will works towards aligning the Sculpture Park with the vision of the present administration in Enugu state,led by Dr Peter Mbah of turning Enugu state into a tourism destination point.
His words, “We are trying to position IMT in such a way that tourists who visit the International Conference Center,will come to IMT Sculpture Park for sight seeing”.
The Dean, Faculty of Art, Design and Printing Technology, Mr Ayo Adewunmi, who guided the Rector and the IMT Alumni stressed that he has a vision to develop the Sculpture Park into a cultural center,stating it is the biggest found in all other higher institutions in Nigeria.
He stated, “IMT owns the biggest Sculpture Park in Nigeria We want to develop it into a cultural center.When completed it will also accommodate archival materials in addition to tourist attractions”
Mr Ayo Adewunmi further disclosed that his faculty will reconstruct the Enugu Coal mine around the IMT Sculpture Park to boost it’s tourism potentials and attractions.
He stressed that some of the monuments found in the Sculpture Park is another way of honouring eminent Nigerians for their contributions in the society. He said the Sculpture Park is named after Elder Kalu Kalu, for the various roles his family has contributed in the uplift of the department,most especially sponsoring some of the students to Dubai. He revealed that most of the Art works were created with waste products,pea shells, groundnuts,etc.
Mr Adewunmi guided the Rector and his team to several traditional/historical artworks designed and constructed by students of the department and what they depicts.
Some of the artworks include the :Udi Wine Tapper, the Ijele Masquerade, the Coal miner, Cultural troops, Traditional wrestlers,etc.
There was also a facility tour to the Entrepreneurship Development Center,where students undergo practical training on skill acquisition in Bakery,Fashion design/Tailoring,Shoe- making, Detergent/Liquid Soap,Cosmetics, etc
There is also chemical and photo laboratory department within the Entrepreneurship Development Center.
Prof.Gozie Ogbodo and the IMt Alumni led by its President, Mazi Agodi Kanu visited the Mass Communication Department of the institution. They were guided into the Film and Photo laboratory,the writing laboratory,among others.
The Rector used the opportunity of the facility tour to Mass Communication Department to commission a relaxation spot built by the 1996 IMT Alumni of Mass Communication Department for the pleasure of the students after lecture hours.
A member of the 1996 IMT Alumni from Mass Communication Department,Comrade Emmanuel Ezeani,said the structure is a way of giving back to their Alma mater.
The Head of Department of Mass Communication,IMT, Dr Robert Madu, expressed gratitude to the Rector, Prof Gozie Ogbodo and the management for providing funds that enabled the purchase of hitec digital equipment for the department upon which the Department is fully accredited .
At a meeting earlier on his office, Prof.Gozie Ogbodo briefed the IMt Alumni on the progress achieved by the management so far under his watch.which includes 100 percent of accreditation of all courses offered by IMT,restoration of public water system in the institution current being reticulated, improved electric supply,the release of Promotion interview conducted before he assumed office,among others.
Prof Gozie Ogbodo used the opportunity to inform the IMT Alumni that the German Ambassador to Nigeria will pay a familiarization visit to IMT on May 4,2025.
The President of IMT Alumni association,Mazi Agodi Kanu reiterated the commitment of the Alumni to support IMT management in taking the institution to lofty heights.
He mentioned the achievements of the IMT Alumni to include securing it’s registration at Corporate Affairs Commission, increasing the Alumni chapters from four to eleven operational chapters. The successful celebration of fifty years of existence of the Institution of Management and Technology (IMT@50),securing insurance policy for Alumni members and the award of scholarship to the best academic students ,etc.
Mr Agodi appealed for support from all quarters to the IMT Alumni in it’s bid to build a mini- stadium for the institution.
He stressed that the mini stadium will be an asset for IMT to host NIPOGA games,which has eluded the institution since birth.
The high point of the meeting was the inauguration of Board of Trustee members of the IMT Alumni Association by the Rector , Prof Gozie Ogbodo The IMT Alumni President, Mazi Agodi Kanu said they were selected from different zones of the country.
They include Chief Dr. George Moghalu; Dr. Uchechukwu Sampson Ogah (FCA, CON); Dr. Mrs. Anthonia Ekwo; Mr. Frank Aigbogun; Mrs Agatha Nnaji; Mr. Michael Akinbola; Dr. Etofolam Frank Osuji (FCA, Mni); and Prof. Austin Nweze (PhD, FCA, FCTI, JP) .
