In response to NUC’s directive that Nigerian Universities improve on their World Wide Web presence in terms of visibility and impact by June 1, 2006, Covenant University Management set up the Webometric Ranking Taskforce. The Taskforce, headed by Prof. James Katende, a professor of Electrical and Information Engineering, was inaugurated by the Vice Chancellor, Prof Aize Obayan, on Saturday May 20, 2006 in the Vice Chancellor’s Conference Room.
Other members of the Taskforce include Dr C.K. Ayo, Pst(Engr) Mike Ogbolu-chi, Mr Igwe Olugu, Dcn Nicholas Omoregbe, and Mr Emmanuel K. Igban. Others are Mr Peters Osimiri, Mr Micheal Adeyeye, Dcn A O. Akinyemi, Pst Moses Olanrewaju, Prof Charles Ogbulogo, and Mr Christopher Nkiko (Secretary).
In her opening remarks the Vice-Chancellor alluded to God’s promise to do a new thing, making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert (Isaiah: 4319). She explained that the web was one of those new things God has provided for CU to meaningfully exploit the global opportunities and possibilities inherent in cyber space. She asserted that it was vital that the CU community quickly imbibe the web culture and tap into its creative space and inventiveness.
The VC explained that the Taskforce was to draw up rules and regulations governing the processes of putting materials on the University’s website, design forms for data entry, edit content before getting onto the web, enlighten the CU community on web culture, advise management on cost-effective measures and technicalities for speeding up of web access, play an advisory role to CU’s Strategic Planning Committee, and sensitize the CU community on efficient use of cyberspace, among others. She then gave the terms of reference for the Taskforce.
In his contribution, the Registrar, Dcn Yemi Nathaniel, compared the process of making a website to stages in building a house starting with the cornerstone, the foundation, etc. He charged the Taskforce members to read widely so as to bring a wide range of knowledge to bear in the building of a befitting website for CU. He promised that all the equipment required for execution of the job will be made available as quickly as practicable.
On behalf of members of the Taskforce, Prof Katende thanked the University Management for the opportunity provided them to serve the community at the cutting-edge of technology and promised that all will be done to achieve the tasks specified by the terms of reference.