The Acting Vice Chancellor, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Prof Kate Azuka Omenugha has called on good spirited-individuals and Nigerian investors to make endowments to the university as a way to further immortalize Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu whose name the school bears.
She stated this during the 3rd Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Annual Memorial Lecture, held Igbariam campus of the university.
Prof Omenugha said the endowments could be done through Private Public Community Partnership (PPCP) model geared towards engaging Anambra indigenes to help develop their homeland, stressing that the University is ready for investors, hence have set up the University Business Ventures to drive the businesses and partnerships.
According to her, this partnership could come in form of building student hostels and staff quarters to curb the spate of fatal accidents that have claimed the lives of 12 students in the last 10 months.
“Since we took over 10 months ago, I have received shocking numbers of death of the students through Okada and keke accident. We need hostels in the University to cut the rising spate of their avoidable accidents. We need staff quarters for staff that are feeling restive with the rising cost of transport and living.
“We call on all of us here to support the University named after Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu to grow and shine as well as make its mark in the World.”
She applauded the visitor to the university, Goveror Charles Chukwuma Soludo for his love for education resulting to his intension to provide the University with uninterrupted Wi-Fi as well as free education given to Ndi-Anambra at Primary and Secondary levels.
Prof Omenugha affirmed that her administration is intentional about ensuring that COOU, reflects the true image of the man whose name it bears, by inculcating on students his principles of fairness, integrity, doggedness, resilience and bravery.
Speaking on the topic “Harnessing education for National Development: Lesson from the Life and Vission of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu”, the former Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development of Nigeria, Chief Osita Chidoka said Ojukwu represents a symbol of resilience and commitment to principles.
He tasked the new educational model to produce not only skilled professionals but also ethical citizens.
The Ike Obosi described the future of Igboland, Nigeria and Africa as one that depends on how well citizens harness education to build a society grounded in shared value, discipline and purpose. This he said is commitment to transformational education.
“COOU must evolve into more than just an institution. It should symbolise promise and transformation, becoming the birthplace of a new class of leaders who will champion policies grounded in culture and practicality. This vision aims to create lasting change and shape the future of the Southeast and Nigeria”,so says the ex-Corps Marshall of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
Also speaking, the Former Minister of Information, Mr. Labaran Maku called on President Ahmed Bola-Tinubu to release the detained leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, without further delay.
Maku said, “The more the Nigerian government continues to detain the IPOB leader, the more tension will continue to escalate in the country.” while noting that Nigeria is a historical accident that has come to stay and warned that the African continent will weep in case of any disintegration in Nigeria.
Highpoint of the occasion was the presentation of some plaques of appreciation to sponsors of the Ojukwu Annual Lecture and eminent guests alike.
The Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Memorial Lecture series, in 2018.###
