…Vows to end sexual harassment, extortion of students
By Ovat Abeng
Today, 5 December 2023, all roads led to the administration block of Chukwuemeka Odomegwu Ojukwu (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State for the inauguration and thanksgiving service of the acting Vice Chancellor of the institution, Professor Kate Azuka Omenugha, who officially resumed duty.
Among the attendees at the service were her son, Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha, who is also the Special Adviser to the State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the State Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-udeh, represented by Barrister Maxwell Udechukwu, National President of Anambra State Association of Town Union (ASATU), Barrister Titus Akpudo, Clergymen, lawmaker representing Anambra East at the State Assembly, Hon. Obi Nweke, member representing Idemili south state constituency, Hon. Ebuka Igwe, principal officers and staff of the institution and students.
In his handover remark, the outgoing Vice Chancellor, Prof. Greg Nwakoby, charged his successor not to depend solely on government subvention alone but to always reach out to blessed organizations and individuals for any form of assistance.
He said that the major challenge the institution is currently facing is the lack of adequate funds to settle workers salaries.
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Nwakoby, however, said what he is leaving financially behind will sustain the university for at least one year.
He said “I didn’t handover Ojukwu University to you. I only handover documents to you to continue from where I stopped. I wish to remind you that the interest of the University supercedes personal interest. I have no rift with any principal officers and staff of the institution throughout my reign in this institution.
“Today, I am leaving, I am not dying. I have returned back to my lecturing duty at the Faculty of Law, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka. Every leader is an agent of God and the essence of leadership is to convert raw materials to finished products and not to destroy.
“So I urged you to be courageous so as to move the University higher than the level it is.”
Prof Nwakoby, equally charged all the members of the university to work with the new acting VC cooperatively for the sake of peace and unity.
In her acceptance speech, Prof. Omenugha said her first major assignment is to end intimidation, extortion and sexual harassment of students, especially, the females by lecturers and other principal officers of the University.
She added that her administration will not welcome any form of gossiping and back-biting among staff of the institution.
She said that her time as Vice Chancellor will be marked by increased visibility and viability of the university.
The newly acting vice chancellor who also emphasized building a new moral code for students of the university and youths generally, also vowed to hit the ground running with her key reforms that are geared towards achieving a university of international best practice.
“There are challenges, but my vision is anchored on visibility and viability of the university and we are determined to take every step to ensure that Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University experience remarkable increase in visibility and viability.
“I am going to run all-inclusive administration where everyone would be given equal opportunity and treatment without fear or favour,” she declared.
While promising not to disappoint the people of Anambra State on the appointment, Prof. Omenugha thanked the state governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo for finding her worthy of the position.
In his brief goodwill message, the Chairman of GSS Group, Mr. Ezenwa Chukwudi, said it was an excitement to have Prof. Omenugha as the acting VC of COOU, adding “We expect nothing less than excellent because she has displayed a high level of excellence in other positions she had occupied before and we have seen the passion she posses for this particular opportunity and I assure you all that she is going to make very good used of it for the benefit of Ndi-Anambra,”
The Paradise News reports that Prof. Omenugha is the first female to be appointed as acting VC of the University since it was established in 2000 under Anambra State law No. 13.
Omenugha was the Head of Mass Communication Department, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Awka before taking appointment as Commissioner for Education under the immediate past governor of the state, Chief Willie Obiano.
