From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Newly appointed Acting Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) , Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha has promised to run an inclusive administration where ideas and efforts would be galvanised for the accelerated progress of the University.
Speaking shortly receiving the handover notes from the out gone Vice Chancellor, Prof. Greg Nwakoby, Omenugha, the second female Professor of Mass Communication in Nigeria expressed appreciation to Governor Chakwuma Soludo who found her worthy to be appointed to the position.
She vowed to hit the ground running immediately with the introduction of key reforms geared towards achieving a university with international best practices.
“’We will run an inclusive government. All of us who wanted to be Vice Chancellor had well articulated beautiful and brilliant concepts on moving this University forward. We please ask them to bring those ideas onboard.
“As Former President Buhari would say, “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” In all my working life, I have always prioritised competence above all else. Since my appointment was announced, many well-meaning individuals and groups have reached out to me via different channels.
“Honestly, I felt loved and it is my hope that the love will endure. I am open to your ideas, put them forward and be proud to do so. What’s most important is that we are driven by a common cause which is the progress of this University. Those we can drive will be implemented and for those we are unable to execute, we’ll solicit support from the right authorities.
“Please do not extort our students. Avoid all forms of bribery and corruption. In this respect, I will be most decisive and forceful. We need to rebrand our University. This rebranding will require intensive reorientation which we must all commit to.
“Enthroning an academic mindset in this institution has never been more urgent. Like Mr Governor, Prof Soludo would say “ours is an agenda with a deadline”. More so, encouraging a culture of novel ideas and creativity will open up new and gainful prospects. We will navigate towards grants and other legitimate opportunities for academic progression.
“I share in the ideology of my predecessor that rather than dissipating energy in rancour and complaints, we’d galvanise our efforts for the accelerated progress of our University.
“As we meet professors and other stakeholders going forward, our task will be simple and yet decisive as we brainstorm and develop a collective and common vision. Together, we will ideate and create the vision and jointly, we will drive that vision to build the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University of our dreams,’ she concluded.
Earlier, the out-gone Vice Chancellor charged the Management and staff of COOU to work and cooperate with Prof Omenugha, saying that he was sure that Vice Chancellor would deliver and that her capability and capacity was never in doubt, adding that he was well aware of the fact that she would move the institution forward beyond what he has done.
The handover ceremony was attended by the Principal officers of tge university, Deans, Directors, Heads of Departments and the University Public Relations Officer, Dr Harrison Madubueze Others included member representing Idemili South State Constituency, Barr. Ebuka Igwe, member representing Anambra East State Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Obi Nweke (Elegelede), Special Adviser to the Governor on Youth Empowerment, Dr Nelson Omenugha, the Chairman of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, NIPR, Anambra State Chapter, Professor Angela Nwammuo among others.