₦airaland Forum

As part of activities to mark the assumption of duty of its 6th Vice-Chancellor, the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, yesterday, held a special prayer convocation for the re-dedication of the University tagged “Lifting Up MOUAU”. The event which featured special prayers and intercession for the council, management, staff and students of the university; bible readings, praise worship, hymns, and exhortation had in attendance clergymen from different church denominations and members of the University community.

In his address and declaration of purpose at the event, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Maduebibisi Iwe reiterated that his administration will totally depend on God for all its dreams, engagements and programmes.“We are here this day to lay the foundation for seeking God, for total reliance on God, and for godly services to the University and the Nation. It is my expectation that through our trust in God, through prayers, we shall commence this administration with a lot of ease, commitment, strength, and hope of achieving a lot,” he said.

The Vice-Chancellor also emphasized the need for regular prayer convocations, acknowledging insinuations that University’s prayer convocation has been neglected. “I have heard a number of us lament concerning the neglect of our usual periodic out-door programme in time past, where the whole University gathered to seek the face of the Lord. Apart from that I am aware that we need times of re-dedication in a place like this University, and that it has been such a long time we had it.”

Ministering during the exhortation, the National Coordinator of Intercessors for Nigeria (IFN), Barr. Iheanyi Uzoma stressed the need for the University’s activities to be underpinned by righteousness which he said is the prerequisite for success. He further admonished all staff and students of the University to shun every vice that would tarnish the image of the University and draw it away from the face of God to whom it has been re-dedicated.

The event also featured the anointing and consecration of the University and special prayers of repentance and re-dedication were said on behalf of its various components. The Vice-Chancellor prayed on behalf of University’s council and management, while Rev. Dr. K.C. Igwe prayed for the academic staff. Mr. Peter Nwaoma, the Deputy Registrar also said a prayer on behalf of the non-academic staff, while the President of the Students Union Government, Comrade Otuonye Famous, prayed on behalf of the students.

The Governing Council of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, MOUAU, has presented Professor Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe as the sixth vice-chancellor of the institution. Ofo Iwe, a professor of food science and technology, succeeded Professor Francis Otunta whose vice-chancellorship expired last month.

The new vice-chancellor while speaking at the presentation ceremony held at the university’s auditorium on Monday, pledged to drive the productivity of both staff and students in line with his vision of a: “knowledge-giving, society-conscious-and-satisfying world-class university; in which competent and committed staff shall consistently produce competent graduates, equipped with entrepreneurial, problem-solving and social skills and capacities…”

Professor Ofo Iwe promised to put in place a robust mechanism for fund generation and prudent management, physical development, research, governance, staff and student welfare, information and communication technology (ICT) as well as peace and security on campus as a strategy to implement his vision for the university. He vowed that his administration “shall totally depend on God for all its dreams, engagements, programmes and achievements."

Professor Iwe acknowledged the efforts of the university's past vice-chancellors, who he admitted had laid solid foundations for the development of the school and called on his fellow contestants to join him in the task of lifting it to greater and enviable heights in the coming five years.

“The contest is over, and it is time for all of us in the words of Professor Ikenna Onyido, our third vice-chancellor, to roll up our sleeves and work,” he said.

Chairman of the Governing Council and Pro-Chancellor of the University, Rt. Hon Lawal M. Zayyana, in his address, expressed confidence that the new vice-chancellor was fit to take up the responsibility of piloting the affairs of the university and thanked everyone who contributed to the successes recorded by the Governing Council.

In his remarks, a former vice-chancellor of the university and current vice-chancellor of Rhema University, Aba, Professor O. C. Onwudike, extolled the leadership qualities, hard work and intelligence of Professor Iwe and expressed optimism that the new vice-chancellor would take the university to a greater level.

On his part, Professor Patrick Obi Ngoddy, the B.Sc. supervisor of Prof. Iwe and later Ph.D. supervisor, added that the staff and students of Michael Okpara University were lucky to have him as their vice-chancellor as he could not think of a better person to take up the challenging position at this present time.

Present at the occasion were dignitaries from all walks of life among whom were Most Rev. C.R. Opoko, the Arch Bishop and Bishop of Umuahia Diocese, Methodist Chruch of Nigeria, and Professor Chibuzo Ogbuagu, the former vice-chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu. Others included Mrs. Eunice Ukamaka Egwu, former first lady of Ebonyi State. The high point of the event was the presentation of gift items by various associations including the Postgraduate Students’ Association of the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike.

Professor Francis Otunta, the exiting 5th Vice-Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike has successfully handed over to incoming 6th Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Ofo Iwe in a memorable ceremony yesterday.