By Ovat Abeng
The out-going Vice-Chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, Prof. Charles Okechukwu Esimone, has revealed that, reviving and promoting a staff of the University, Mrs Molokwu, who suffered depression for 19-years over delay promotion was among his major five years achievements in office.
He said the woman almost get mentally serial as a result of the depression before she was finally promoted through his personal effort.
Esimone, who disclosed this while addressing a press conference at his resident in Awka, on Sunday, to mark the end of his administration also listed other achievements to include, introduction of grants writing, promotion of 150 staffs, increasing of the University’s IGR from 60 million to 90 million, decentralization of matriculation exercise to faculties, promotion of Inaugural Lectures Series to enable lecturers/Professors showcase their professionalism with utmost confidentiality, intense supervision of Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) projects in the University, introduction of Conferences, creation of innovation centre, wide publicity of the Varsity activities, construction of befitted students hostels, construction of fully equipped ultra-modern surge centre, within the precincts of the University Medical Centre, Awka, and setting up of research centre for Aging and Psychological Health, Awka campus.
“My administration establish a community development centre that partners the Anambra State Government on her ongoing “One Youth, Two Skill Programme. I also signed a Memorandum of Understand with an Agric-allied company for the planting of economy trees to boost the Internal Generated Revenue of the institution.
“Unizik is one of the Universities in this 21st Century that have attained the International standard.
He noted that his administration’s resolved not to give up until project 200 of making the university among the 10 best in Nigeria and among the best 200 in the world was actualized.
He said the institution has been achieving the core mandate of teaching, research and community/Public service, and more since assumption of office in June 4th, 2019.
According to him, “On assumption into office in 2019, I articulated a five-pronged strategy predicated on the drive for academic excellence, productive public/community service, administrative reforms, discipline and advancements, the ACADA strategy, together with its antecedent vision. These he sums up as ‘Project 200′ has so far been achievement to the glory of God Almighty.
“Also between 2019 and now, the national and international profile of the university has risen through memoranda of understanding signed with national and international institutions.
“With the rising profile, the university has also introduced new courses and established new community and public services while embarking on administrative reforms. For instance, the 572 capacity students’ hostel by an investor under Build-Operate-and Transfer partnership is a case in point.”
On infrastructure, Esimone said he has completed the ones he met on assumption of office and commenced fresh ones, noting that many of which has been completed and others are at various stages of completion and that 100 percent of the projects were been sponsored by the Federal government and endowed by public-spirited individuals.
This has skyrocketed the university’s impact in virtually all spares of academics, he stated.
Expressing satisfaction over the cordial working relationship he had enjoyed with the media, his staff and the entire University community over the years, the VC urged his successor to focus on construction of Staff Housing, building of 10,000 capacity auditorium and sport complex for the University.
Finally, he called on the Federal Government to prioritized better working condition for University workers, amidst hard time in the country..
Meanwhile the acrimonious race to succeed the outgoing Vice Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof Charles Esimone may have come to an end following a recent directive from the National Universities Commission.
The five-year tenure of Prof Esimone will come to an end on June 4, 2024, having assumed office about the same time in 2019.
The race to succeed him has been acrimonious as interested candidates engaged in different methods to outsmart themselves, including writing frivolous petitions and sharing fake news against their opponents.
But the NUC directives sighted by our correspondent directed all the outgoing Vice Chancellors of Federal Universities to hand over to their most senior ranking deputies.
Our correspondent gathered that Prof Joseph Ikechebelu is the only Deputy Vice Chancellor in UNIZIK. Thus, following the NUC directive, it is expected that the incumbent Vice Chancellor, Prof Charles Esimone will hand over to Ikechebelu on June 4.
The directive signed by the Acting Executive Secretary, Chris J. Maiyaki,
read in part,” HANDOVER PROTOCOL FOR OUTGOING VICE-CHANCELLORS
I write to convey the directive of the Honourable Minister of Education, to the effect that Vice-Chancellors of Federal Universities, who are rounding up their tenures, should hand over their responsibilities to their most senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the university, in line with extant regulations governing the administration of Federal Universities, which stipulates that Vice-Chancellors are not to remain in Office beyond their designated terminal dates.
“This measure is to ensure a smooth and seamless transition in the leadership of the universities, thereby maintaining the requisite stability and continuity for the effective administration and academic performance of the various institutions.
“Out-going Vice-Chancellors are further, requested to ensure that a detailed handover report documenting key activities, ongoing projects, university assets, financial statements, and any other pertinent information, forms part of the handover process.
“Please note that the Federal Ministry of Education and your respective University Senates must be duly notified of your handover before the terminal dates. The Federal Ministry of Education appreciates the contributions of all outgoing Vice-Chancellors and anticipates your cooperation in ensuring a smooth transition process.
“This directive is effective immediately and compliance is mandatory.
Please accept the renewed assurances of my highest considerations and best wishes.
