further decay.
At the inauguration ceremony on Monday at the Sam Mbakwe Exco Chambers,
the governor said the choice of the members is an opportunity to infuse
fresh air into the University “because it is in dire need to bounce back
to reckoning.”
Those inaugurated are His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr Lucius Ugorji who is
also the Bishop of Catholic Diocese of Umuahia and the visiting Bishop
of Catholic Diocese of Mbaise as Chairman Imo State University Governing
Council and the Pro-Chancellor of the school.
Other members of the Council include: Chief Leo Stan Ekeh, Chief Tony
Ezenna, Prof. (Ven.) Chinedu Nebo, Sir. Louis Ezeigwe, Chief Engr.
Ernest Nwapa, Dr. (Mrs.) Uwandu Uzoma, Ugoeze Victoria Adaku Ekezie,
Prof. Adaobi Obasi (Vice-Chancellor) and others.
The Governor said that the inauguration of the Governing Council is
significant for both Imo State and the University and that “it is a
golden opportunity to revive the Ivory Tower that was the pride of Imo
people some 20 years ago.”
He added that the choice of the members was because they have carved a
niche for themselves in their chosen fields of endeavour and that they
have earned a solid reputation as men and women of substance in their
individual trade, an indices that qualified them for the appointment.
He challenged the members to bring their reputation to bear on the
University, bearing in mind the task for good quality scholarship in Imo
State University as well as service to humanity.
The Governor urged the members to deploy their individual
accomplishments, excellence, expertise, passion for service as
effectively as necessary to actualize the dream of his administration of
having a highly reputable University comparable to the best Universities
in the World.
He also requested the Council to “restore in words and deeds the motto
of Imo State University, which is Excellence in Service”.
“Imo State University currently is a classical example of a failed
University,” Governor Uzodimma said but strongly believes that “with a
star-studded Governing Council such as the one inaugurated there is no
doubt that Imo is on the track to realize the dreams of her founding
fathers.”
“Imo people expect that though the task before the Council is quite
enormous, members should employ their wealth of experience and expertise
to clean up the mess that has bedeviled the State University and make it
a true citadel of learning and character formation,” the governor added.
The Governor requested the Governing Council to “outline a road map for
quality education offered by quality staff in a first-class learning
environment, find middle roles between the so-called free education in
Imo State University and the provision of quality education that will
not over-task the resources of Imo parents so much, nor make Government
a laughing stock as a provider of the questionable free education that
is inimical to quality scholarship.”
He further enjoined the Council members to quickly hit the ground
running and come up with policies and programmes that will reassure Imo
people that the University that made them proud 20 years back is on
track as he assured them of Government partnership in this regard.
In their acceptance, Chairman Imo State University Governing Council and
Pro-Chancellor, His Lordship, Most Rev. Dr Lucius Ugorji thanked the
Governor for the absolute confidence reposed in them by giving them the
assignment and acknowledged that though the task is daunting he has a
strong belief that with the calibre of members of the Council and
support of the management, staff and students the University will be
returned to a centre of excellence which was the dream of the founding
fathers.
He said that Imo State University deserves the best and that he and his
members as inaugurated will work acidulously to ensure that the target
of the governor in making Imo State University one the best Universities
in Africa is realised.
He congratulated his members and promised that God willing, they will
not fail the government and people of Imo State.
Present at the inauguration were the Deputy Governor, Prof. Placid
Njoku, the Speaker Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins,
the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmas Iwu, and other
members of the expanded State Executive Council.
