Again, Nsukka Indigenes Lose out As Professor Igwe Emerges New UNN VC

Posted by African Examiner African News, Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Friday, May 24th, 2019

From Ignatius Okpara, Enugu

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Efforts by Nsukka indigenes to produce the successor of outing going Vice Chancellor VC of university of Nigeria (UNN) Nsukka, Professor Benjamin Ozumba has hit the rock
as another Anambra man, Professor Charles Igwe has emerged.

African Examiner recall that the people of UNN host community Nsukka, had been weeping sentiments over who takes over from Ozumba, who is completing his five year tenure in June 2019, arguing that no indigene of the area has occupied the VC position since inception of the university .

Both Ozumba and the VC designate, hails from Anambra state, South- East Nigeria.

Over the years, Nsukka professors have been making moves to occupy the exalted UNN office, but to no avail.

Professor Igwe emerged after a final selection exercise conducted by the University’s Governing Council on Thursday.

Until his appointment, the new UNN boss, was the Deputy Vice-chancellor DVC Administration .

Igwe, a close confidant of the outgoing VC, polled 86.5 points, beating his closest rival, Prof James Ogbonna (DVC Academics), an indigene of Nsukka, who came second position with 85.6 points, just as another Nsukka Professor, Cyprian Onyeji came third.

The new VC is expected to officially assume office on June 4, 2019 as the 15 Vice Chancellor of the premier university.

Public Relations Officer PRO of UNN, Chief Okwun Omeaku, who confirmed the development in a statement, said “Igwe’s appointment was announced on Thursday May 23rd 2019 by the Pro-Chancellor of the University, Chief Mike Olorunfemi after a transparent selection process by the Governing Council of the University.”

“Professor Igwe is the current Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Administration of the University. He is a Professor of Soil Science in the Faculty of Agriculture.

“He joined the services of the University in 1976 as a Soil Survey Assistant. He became an academic staff of the University in 1991 and rose through the ranks to become a Professor in 2003.

According to the statement, he was appointed Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) on 28th April 2016 and was reappointed in 2018.

He once represented the University’s Senate in the Governing Council and had also served as the Director of the university’s Advancement Centre.” Omeaku stated.