“There might be no better motivation for an enduring legacy in leadership.” —Ebuka Onyekwelu
My first comment upon my recent visit to the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University Igbariam, is that leadership can do so much. A few days ago, I was privileged to assess the Anambra State-owned University, now known as Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University. I was intrigued by the level of modest improvements the institution has seen.
This pleasant surprise instigated a random investigation around the school and terminated with a visit to the Vice Chancellor’s office. Prof. Kate Omenugha, the university’s Vice Chancellor, has only been in office for about five months. But the level of organized academic environment I observed which was also attested to by many students and staff of the university, left me with just one question for her. I needed to ask her that one question as she was rushing to catch up with her engagement outside the university. “What is driving you?” I asked. Her response left a reassurance that the renaissance experienced by the institution is not a spur of the moment. But a deliberate decision to put the university on the path of sustained progress and academic excellence. “Well”, Prof. Omenugha said, “I don’t want to disappoint so many people who believe in me. I don’t want to disappoint those who have so much trust in me, including Mr. Governor.” This response points to the Vice Chancellor’s commitment to the growth and advancement of the university. As Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu himself once declared, “Because I am involved.” Nothing beats personal dedication to a cause. There might be no better motivation for an enduring legacy in leadership.
About five months ago, the appointment of Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha as the Vice Chancellor of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University was widely accepted as one of the finest appointments of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo’s government. The goodwill was electrifying. Five months later, I met final-year students who wished they had more time to ‘fully enjoy’ the many reforms the university is undergoing. One student wished albeit in futility that the current Vice Chancellor had been there a few years earlier. In truth, not only is Prof. Kate Omenugha, the first female Vice Chancellor of the university, but her resumption is also considered the most peaceful and smoothest transition the institution has seen. She was handed over by Prof. Greg Nwakoby, who did not have the privilege of a handover from his predecessor.
The first attraction on approaching the university is the ongoing rebuilding of the school’s first gate. Beside the ongoing project is an overhead tank that will supply water to the gate, which is a central security of sorts to the university community. This tank will now enable the convenience system to work, as they were not working before. In consequence, security men on duty answered the call of nature in nearby bushes, I was told by a guard on duty. According to the foreman I met on the ground on my day of visit, this gate will be delivered in about two weeks. He commended the Vice Chancellor’s dedication to quality work. It is common knowledge that first impression matters until we are left with actually doing the work. This gate creates an actual good first impression that the institution is far more serious, organized and ready to provide quality teaching, learning, and research. Several students whom I later spoke to commended the reconstruction of the gate, pointing out that it gives a different impression of the institution.
Upon entering the university, the usual sight of refuse dumps has disappeared. The university environment is far less littered. This speaks to an emerging new culture. Some of the students I spoke with said that the drainages in the school had been desilted. They also confirmed that the new university management places a high premium on a clean and green environment. So, when I got to the administrative building, I was pleased to see spotless hallways. Everywhere was sparkling, without a drop of any dirt. The floor was so clean, with flowers adorning the edges of the stairs. Little details matter. Truly, as we hope to do mighty things, can we at least keep our environment clean? Small things drive the biggest change in history. This change as I saw at the admin block of the university commands alteration in behaviour and creates a new culture of excellence. The senate chamber was looking totally new and utterly different, same as the Vice Chancellor’s conference room. There is no way the new environment will not evoke a positive attitude from the staff and management of the university. The security man on duty at the entrance of the university admin block reflects this new culture in the way he conducts his duties. The transport system in the school has become organized, as against the chaotic situation before. As a result, the university is less noisy and more academic.
But that is not all. Some students I spoke with also mentioned moral upgrade as part of their new experience in recent times. Before, they are coerced to buy textbooks written by their lecturers. This is not strange in many Nigerian universities. Some lecturers focus on selling their books and reward students who buy their books with a pass. Now, at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu University, such practice is a closed chapter. The students said that the new Vice Chancellor stopped the selling of books by lectures to students. Confirming this development, another set of students in the History Department said there was a ban on selling books, but that the ban has now been lifted. However, books by any lecturer or indeed any book can now be bought from the University’s bookshop. No lecturer is allowed to sell books to students directly or through proxies. This important shift has restored sanity and decency in teaching at the university.
The students confessed that there is improvement in the quality of leadership in the university. Prof. Kate Omenugha, in the past five months, I gathered, has been working very hard to elevate the university to the world stage with her drive for international linkages. After my visit, I concluded that the Vice Chancellor is truly committed to her three Vs of Values, Viability, and Visibility, for the university. The work on the ground at the institution speaks for itself and this gives a hint that the university has perhaps entered a new era of possibilities in learning, teaching, and character.
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One comment
Emmanuel Nnah
June 2, 2024 at 10:32 am
As a part-time student of COOU,I can testify to the write-up.
The Current VC has a track record,I knew her when she was the commissioner of Education Anambra state.
she has what it takes to transform the school.
May God almighty continue to bless and protect her.
From Mr Emmanuel Nnah
Dept: Criminology and security studies.