Follow Us on Google
From Chidiebere Onyemaizu
Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has inaugurated the 8th Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), tasking the newly appointed members with a rigorous mandate of institutional reform and the pursuit of academic excellence.
Addressing council members at the Light House in Awka, the Governor acknowledged the significance of their appointment, emphasising that it came 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 has changed for the better? That is your guiding principle,” the Governor said.
He emphasised the systemic challenges that necessitated the inauguration of the new council, noting that the preceding council had remained dormant for reasons he described as “inexplicable”. Soludo expressed concern regarding the integrity of recent academic recruitment processes, saying, “I got the full report. I had to do my own due diligence.”
Other News
He said he was confident in the ability of the new leadership to right the wrongs, stating, “With Professor Peter Onwualu as your Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, your problems are solved. Just get going. Take the university to realise its manifest potential. With the calibre of men and women of such knowledge, expertise and ‘fire in the belly,’ you will succeed.”
Responding on behalf of the newly inaugurated body, Professor Onwualu affirmed the Council’s commitment to transformation. “This will be a different Council,” he said. “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.”
Other members of the council include Igwe Dr Chris Oranu Chidume, Prof. O. J. Ogbuagu, Chief Christopher Ndubuisi and AIG Chris Ezike (retd).
Also in the council are Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha (Vice-Chancellor), Prof. A. C. Nweke (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration & Environmental Sustainability), Prof. Obiora Ejiofor (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academics), Prof. Sylvia Okonkwo (Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Development & Uli Campus Affairs), Prof. Matthias O. Ananti, Prof. Ogonna Ifebi, Prof. Nkeiruka Orji, Prof. MaryJude Igbodika and Dr. Chukwunonso Ekesiobi.
