By Okechukwu Onuegbu
The management and staff of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka have pledged their unalloyed loyalty and support towards ensuring the successful tenure of the Acting Vice-Chancellor, Professor Carol Arinze-Umobi.
The management, including the faculty Deans, Directors, and Head of Departments (HODs), disclosed this on Wednesday at their various stakeholders meetings with Arinze-Umobi, assuring that they would never relent in promoting peace and harmony within the university community.
The Dean of Management Sciences, Prof. Pius Okoye, who spoke at one of the meetings, emphasized their responsibility to ease her work and prayed for her success although.
On his part, the Dean of Environmental Sciences, Prof. Chinedu Okoye, acknowledged the peace her arrival had brought and requested attention to security and lighting issues on campus.
Contributing, the Dean of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. A.N. Okpogba, and the Provost of the Postgraduate School, Prof. Philomena Igbokwe, expressed full support and confidence in the new adminstration, expressing optimism that it would end in praises.
To the Dean of Law, Prof. Ogugua Ikpeze, the faculty was confident in her ability to deliver and achieve remarkable results during her tenure.
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, had during the separate, crucial meetings intimated the stakeholders of her vision for the institution as well as fostered a spirit of peace and collaboration among all.
Prof. Arinze-Umobi further outlined her vision for her six-month tenure with a focus on unifying all factions, preaching peace, cleaning and greening the university, while maintaining an unbroken academic calendar, reducing the university’s indebtedness, and encouraging professors to upload their works to improve university rankings.
According to her, “You are in charge of your respective faculties, directorates, units, and departments; keep the flags flying. I am preaching peace at all levels—departmental and faculty. Let’s put our hands together to ensure we maintain peace as we anticipate the emergence of a Vice-Chancellor who will elevate the university to enviable heights.
"Become ambassadors of peace in your faculties and ensure smooth operations. You have my support. If there is a crack at your level, it will affect the top.” She also assured them of her commitment to responsive and effective leadership," he maintained.
Special goodwill messages and contributions were also delivered by various Directors and HODs. Prof. Samuel Meludu advocated for the Nnewi campus, while Prof. Ike Odimegwu urged everyone to work with commitment, sincerity, and courage, and to focus on rebranding UNIZIK towards excellence. The Head of the Department of Psychology, Prof. Obiajulu Anthony Ugochukwu Nnedum, praised the acting VC’s track record and expressed confidence in her success. Rev. Fr. Jude Ezeanokwasa, the Head of the Department of Customary and Religious Law, commended her fairness and urged her to continue this approach. The Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Dr. Uchenna Prosper Okonkwo, prayed for God’s guidance during her tenure.