Management, staff and students of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State have celebrated their Vice Chancellor, Professor Greg Nwakoby, describing his five years in office as unprecedented.
The stakeholders eulogized the VC during VC Day which featured book presentation and titled, “Greg Nwakoby, the journey of a legacy of enduring transformation 2018-2023” chronicled the life and achievements of the Vice Chancellor within his five years in office as the event commenced with an interdenominational service.
The 106-paged book articulated the Vice Chancellor’s breakthroughs starting from his early life up to when he became a Professor of law and then through the five years of his tenure in the COOU.
The book edited by Professor Solomon Ekwenze and Dr Harrison Madubueze has five chapters.
While reviewing the book, Professor Austin Nnonyelu noted that the editors of the book had presented a perfect trajectory of the Vice Chancellor’s life; a track record of his achievements in the university for the past five years.
He enumerated attraction of various donors to the university, infrastructure development, staff promotion and welfare, industrial peace, uninterrupted academic progress, among other things.
The book reviewer noted that the book showcased Professor Nwakoby’s courageous spirit with the ability to execute multiple tasks successfully.
The Chief launcher of the book, Chief Chidi Anyaegbu who was represented by the Anambra State Commissioner for Environment, Engineer Felix Odimegwu described Professor Nwakoby as a man of vision. He said that the VC has the characteristics of carrying everybody along, and wished him well in his other endeavors.
Earlier, Chairman on the occasion, Justice Alexius Okuma, described the out-going VC as a man who came, saw and conquered at the COOU. He commended him for his good legacies.
Various felicitations came from the staff and other high-ranking management staff of the institution including Deputy Vice Chancellors, Professor Mathias Añanti (Administration) and Professor Osita Chiaghanam (Academic).
In his message, Prof Ananti said that Prof Nwakoby’s leadership had not only elevated COOU’s academic standards but had also set a high benchmark for administrative excellence.
On his part, Dean, Faculty of Physical Sciences, Professor Kingsley Nwozor revealed that VC’s five years in office remained eventful, saying that the VC on assumed office was able to raise the number to 200 between 2018 and 2023 without compromising standards.
Speaking exclusively The Nation, Nwozor, who doubles as Chairman, Publicity Subcommittee of the event said the VC inherited a total of 35 professors on assumption of office, but would be leaving behind no fewer than 200 professors for the institution.
He said many of the professors who got their promotion based on merit, were drawn from backlog of stagnated staff, many of whose promotions were long overdue.
Describing Nwakoby’s five years rule as a monumental advancement for the institution, Nwozor said the VC would be leaving the institution far better than he met it especially in the area of infrastructure, welfare, discipline, integrity, transparency and accountability.
He said, “Today is a chronicle of the legacies of Prof Greg Nwakoby as VC of COOU from 2018 – 2023. Going through the documentary, you’ll see what he met and what he’s living behind. It’s a monumental advancement for the institution.
“He met 35 professors in 2018. Mind you, the university came into existence in January 2000. 18 years after, Nwakoby, on assumption of office, inherited 35 professors, meaning that the university was able to produce only 35 professors in 18years.
“But within the 5 years of his administration, the number skyrocketed from 35 to well over 200. These are meritorious promotions, from backlog of stagnated staff. Nwakoby doesn’t discriminate, once you merit it and the department and faculty give their nod, it’s approved.
“Again, he met buildings taken over by weeds. But today, you see buildings littered all over the area. That’s the legacy he’s leaving. Talk about discipline, welfare and transparency in administration, he’s there. Many VCs won’t tell you number of students they have.
“But since he came on board, every exam period, there’s publication of students that paid school fees and those yet to pay, totalling entire number of students in the university. That also reflects the amount of money being generated from school fees.
“Over 22 programmes were accredited under his watch. Before he came in, my own department, Geology, for example, was like jinx. We failed accreditation in 2013, 2015 and 2017. But in 2019, we got full accreditation after he came in 2018. It’s magical.
“The 6 departments in my faculty are currently enjoying full accreditation status from the NUC. Same with other faculties. Besides, he introduced new programmes, including Nursing, Medical Laboratory Science, Radiology, Criminology, among others.
“He brought a curriculum renaissance in the university. Before, students hardly saw their results till after three years. But now, all results are published on the portal less than a month after exams.
“That’s academic freedom and digital thinking. Those their sponsors are doubting their performances can easily log into the portal to view their results.”
He enumerated other achievements of Prof Nwakoby and added that the faculty of physical sciences sincerely rejoiced with the VC and the rest of the university community on the occasion.
He said: “We recall with everlasting joy the countless good fortunes you brought to our faculty especially the restoration of full accreditation status to one hundred percent of our academic programmes, uninterrupted academic calendar, reconstruction of hitherto dilapidated infrastructure, procurement of cutting-age research facilities, attraction and retention of world-class academic staff, activation of staff motivation through merit-driven promotions and highly effective career-progression support systems.
“Others are visionary connection of our university to the global academic gateway, demonstration of academic leadership and practical commitment to university industrialization. These high impact legacies and many more will forever stand in your honour as the people’s Vice Chancellor.
“As your tenure in office clocks 360 degrees, we join your family, friends, associates and well-wishers to savour in the joy of a roundly fruitful and remarkably successful helmsmanship. With the understanding that the reward for every good work is more work, we pray the Almighty God to infuse you with more strength and wisdom for the greater task ahead, “Prof Nwozor said.
The member representing Ihiala in the House of Representatives, Rt Hon Pascal Agbodike in his comments said that the transformation and what he called incredible progress brought by Professor Nwakoby had made COOU to standout as one of the best tertiary institutions in Nigeria and prayed God to elevate him to a bigger position.
Professor Nwakoby, who was visibly elated commended the university community, friends and associates for their love, support and cooperation which he said were instrumental to the success stories recorded under his administration.
He urged them to extend same to his successor to ensure the university attained greater hieghts.
