Otti appoints Ndukwe, new Vice Chancellor for Abia State University
From Boniface Okoro, Umuahia
Abia State governor, Dr. Alex Otti, has appointed Prof. Ndukwe Oko Udo as the 9th Vice Chancellor of Abia State University, Uturu (ABSU).
The appointment of the new Vice Chancellor marks the beginning of the implementation of the White Paper report of the Full Visitation Panel to Abia State University.
The development was made public by the Commissioner for Information, Prince Okey Kanu, on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Government House, Umuahia, while briefing newsmen on the outcome of this week’s State Executive Council meeting.
Apart from the new Vice Chancellor, the Governor also made several other appointments to rejig the management of the university.
The other newly appointed officers include: Prof. Agwu U. Agwu (Ph.D) new Pro-Chancellor; Mrs. Catherine Uju Ifejika, new Chancellor; and Dr. Onwubiko Dike, member of Governing Council.
Other appointments are two new Deputy Vice Chancellors, four members of Senate, two members of Congregation, one member of Convocation, one member from the Ministry of Education and the a new Bursar for the university.
Prince Okey Kanu said that the appointments were made to achieve the expected series of reforms to revitalize the school and make it a world-class university.
“His Excellency, Dr. Alex Otti, has approved the release and publication of the White Paper report of the Full Visitation Panel to Abia State University, Uturu,” the Commissioner said, adding, “of Course, you are aware that the Visitation Panel was put in place with a view to knowing the problems the university has and coming to terms with them and coming out with solutions. So, the first in the series of the reforms that will take place there has commenced with certain appointments that have been made.”
He disclosed that the appointment of the new Vice Chancellor who will succeed the current Vice Chancellor, Prof. Onyemachi Maxwell Ogbulu, will take effect from November 1, 2024.
Immediate –past Abia State Governor, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, on November 24, 2020 announced the appointment of Prof. Ogbulu as the 8th Vice Chancellor of Abia State University. He took over from late Prof. Eleazar Uche Ikonne whose five-tenure as Vice Chancellor ended on December 1, 2020.
The Full Visitation Panel to ABSU was inaugurated on February 13, 2024 and submitted its report in May.
The Panel made far –reaching recommendations, most of which the government accepted.