Soludo names Onwualu 8th Pro Chancellor of Ojukwu Varsity

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Governor Soludo with members of COOU governing council after their inauguration in Awka

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By Madu Obi

Governor Chukwuma Soludo has inaugurated the eighth governing council of state -owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), with Professor Peter Onwualu as chairman.

Other members of the council include Igwe Dr. Chris Oranu Chidume, Prof. O. J. Ogbuagu, Chief Christopher Ndubuisi and AIG Chris Ezike (Rtd).

The rest 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), Prof. Matthias O. Ananti, Prof. Ogonna Ifebi

Prof. Nkeiruka Orji, Prof. MaryJude Igbodika

and Dr. Chukwunonso Ekesiobi.

Addressing the council members in Awka, Governor Soludo acknowledged the gravity of their appointment, emphasizing that their tenure arrives at a pivotal moment for the institution.

He said: "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.

Take the university to realize its manifest potential. With the calibre of men and women of such knowledge, expertise, and ‘fire in the belly,’ you will succeed."

Soludo urged them not shy away from addressing the systemic challenges that necessitated their appointment, noting that the preceding council was dormant for inexplicable reasons.

He expressed concern regarding what he called the integrity of recent academic recruitment processes in the institution, adding that he had to do his own due diligence.

The governor expressed full confidence in the new leadership to reverse the trends, stating that with Professor Onwualu as chairman and Pro-Chancellor, the problems are solved.

Responding on behalf of the new council, Professor Onwualu affirmed the council’s commitment to transformation.

He 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."