The National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Makurdi Study Centre, Benue State, has bade farewell the director, Dr. Sarah Alao, following her retirement from the services of the university, spanning over two decades as pioneer student counselor.
The ceremony of her exist was held at the Makurdi Centre Auditorium, on Friday May 2, 2025.
Consequently, on Monday, May 5, 2025 she exiting director handed the affairs of the entre to Dr. Sai Peverga Iorvaa as the new helmsman of the Makurdi Study Centre.
Alao’s retirement marked the end of her leadership at Makurdi and her guidance across other centres from 2013 as student’s counselor and subsequently as the Acting Director from 2024/2025 academic session.
Her dual roles as an educationalist and professional student counselor have uniquely equipped her to inspire and support students’ academic lives.
In a chat with NOUN News after the ceremony, Alao said she was extremely happy because most of the things she desired for the centre were achieved.
"I feel fulfilled to have risen to the peak of my career strong and healthy,to God be all the Glory," she said.
According to her, what she will miss the most is her students companionship, talking to them, guiding and encouraging them and making sure their issues or problems were resolved.
"I find so much joy whenever students leave my office satisfied and saturated," Alao stated.
She reiterated that she had no regrets at all working with NOUN, because the university, according to her, gave her the platform and opportunity to apply what she learned in school and her helping abilities in delivering effectively and efficiently on her job.
On this, she expressed her happiness, adding that she remains grateful to Almighty God and NOUN for the opportunity.
The outgoing director, in her admonition, urged staff to support the incoming director and remain committed to their roles as they supported her.
"I therefore urge all members of staff to support Sai and give him all the necessary help he needs, just the way you all supported me to achieve success. Kindly support him and show more commitment to him in your roles, and I wil be glad to hear good testimonies about each and everyone of you.
"I am glad to handover to Dr. Sai. he is not new to NOUN and Makurdi Study Centre,he is a man of vigor, passion and visionary, and he has the capacity to carry on with the excellent work we have achieved so far.
"I pray God to guide him, strengthen him and give him good health as the study centre director," she said.
Under her leadership, the centre had undergone a remarkable transformations including fencing of the perimeter fence, provision of a borehole, reducing cases of examination malpractice in the centre to the barest minimum, among others.
The staff, on their part, appreciated her impacts; few members of staff across the units were given awards for their outstanding qualities.
On his part, the new director expressed delight in the centre’s improved, cleaned environment and the good work of Dr. Alao.
He pledged to build on the existing achievements of the outgoing director.
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