Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has officially inaugurated the eighth Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU).
The governor, who performed the task on Thursday at the Anambra State Government House, also known as Light House, Awka, tasked the newly appointed members with the mandate of institutional reform and the pursuit of academic excellence.
Soludo acknowledged the gravity of their appointment, emphasizing that their tenure arrives at a pivotal moment for the institution.
“You have a lot of heavy lifting to do. I am confident that with the new leadership of the council, you will provide nothing short of excellence. Work with the greatest level of integrity, conscientiousness, and passion.
“Consider what is best for the university and the generations unborn; we are all birds of passage. What is important is, while you serve, what changed for the better? That is your guiding principle.”
The council consists of Prof. Peter A. Onwualu as its Chairman and Pro-Chancellor; Igwe Dr. Chris Oranu Chidume, Prof. O. J. Ogbuagu, Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, and AIG Chris Ezike (Rtd).
Others are Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha – Vice-Chancellor; Prof. A. C. Nweke – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration & Environmental Sustainability); Prof. Obiora Ejiofor – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics); and Prof. Sylvia Okonkwo – Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development & Uli Campus Affairs).
Some other members of the council are Prof. Matthias O. Ananti, Prof. Ogonna Ifebi, Prof. Nkeiruka Orji, Prof. MaryJude Igbodika, and Dr. Chukwunonso Ekesiobi.
Governor Soludo said systemic challenges in the institution, especially in recent recruitment exercises, necessitated the transition, noting that the preceding council had remained dormant for reasons he deemed “inexplicable.”
He expressed full confidence in the new leadership to reverse these trends, stating that with Professor Peter Onwualu as Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, he was confident that things would change.
Onwualu, while responding, said: “This will be a different Council. We intend to make COOU one of the top three state universities in the country.
The problem of weak institutions is a Nigerian problem, but we will make COOU a very strong university. We covet the Governor’s support to make this happen.”
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