Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka Vice Chancellor Prof Joseph Ahaneku has unveiled his plans for the institution, which he will administer for five years. OBY OKEKE (400-Level Mass Communication) reports.
Prof Joseph Ahaneku’s appointment as Vice-Chancellor (VC) of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, is being applauded by many. He is seen as a round peg in a round hole. But they did not know his plans for the institution on assumption of office last month.
Last week, the VC faced members of the university community, including academic and non-academic staff, students and members of the Governing Council to unveil his plans for the institution.
The ceremony was held at the university auditorium. Members of the audience included his wife, Dr Gladys, former Vice-Chancellors of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Abia State, and Anambra State University in Uli (ANSU), Prof Ikenna Onyido, and Prof Paul Orajiaka, and former Anambra State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Prof Stella Okunna.
Prof Ahaneku promised to ensure that the university got a global rating as one of the best in research and academics.
He said admission procedure would be reviewed to enforce academic discipline, pointing out that learners must not only be educated, but should be also prepared to be change agents and inventors. This, he said, would be done in consonance with the goals and legacies of the institution’s founding fathers.
He said: “This is the time and the period to focus our ideas and desire on the culture and tradition the university is known for. We must make a statement that we have an ivory tower where students will get the best.”
Prof Ahaneku pledged to run an open administration, saying he would welcome good ideas from any good-minded individual, who shares the vision of developing the university with him.
The university, he said, was rated the most preferred institution, noting that there was a need to introduce a research-based learning process in its Science, Engineering, Arts and Humanities disciplines.
Unveiling his infrastructural plans for the institution, Prof Ahaneku proposed construction of a staff club, guest house, post-graduate residential quarters, Pro-chancellor’s and VC’s lodge within five years, adding that his administration would embark on beautification of the campus, including administrative block and the university’s main entrance, among others.
He promised green environment and beautiful architecture, which he said were necessary to engender a conductive place for learning.
On staff welfare, the VC promised to revive the institution’s transportation scheme, saying there would be buses to move workers to the campus at 8am. He said the scheme would not stop overtime allowances for deserving staff.
He reiterated that the university admission process would only be for deserving students. He urged the public to stop from making unrealistic demands from the university on admission exercise, which he said would be strictly on merit.
On the promotion and advancement of workers, Prof Ahaneku said his administration would not give room for delays or short-circuiting, noting that staff would be promoted on merits.
He added that that there would be Internet connection on both campuses of the university to connect over 30,000 users to aid learning and research.
The university would pursue empowerment of youths, he said, through agriculture and establishment of research institute. The VC said the existing entrepreneurship centre would be strengthened to serve its purpose of skill acquisition and technology provision centre, with a view to solving unemployment riddle.
Prof. Ahaneku urged staff to re-dedicate themselves towards making the university the best in the country. To realise his vision, the VC said there must be co-operation among staff.
In their separate responses, Prof Onyido, Prof Orajiaka and Prof Okunna pledged support to the new administration, praising the VC for his vision.
In his remarks, the Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences, Prof Austin Nnonyelu, described the VC as a game changer, saying the programmes reeled out showed Prof Ahaneku prepared for the task of leading the university.
Prof Ahaneku is the fifth substantive VC of the institution. He was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor in charge of academics during the administration of Prof Boniface Egboka whose tenure ended last month.
