Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba Emerges UNN New VC

Posted by African Examiner education, Latest Headlines, News Sunday, June 8th, 2014

IGNATIUS OKPARA, Enugu

Former provost of the University of Nigeria Nsukka UNN college of medicine, professor Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba has emerged the new Vice chancellor VC of the institution.

A close source to the institution who disclosed this to African Examiner in Enugu Saturday, said he defeated more than forty other contestants, including the incumbent deputy vice chancellor DVC academic, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu.

African Examiner reports that the renowned professor of gynecology had contested the post in 2009, following the expiration of the tenure of former VC, Professor Chinedu Nebo, now minister of power.

The new UNN helmsman, attended government college, Umuahia, before proceeding to the University of Lagos, UNILAG, where he studied medicine.

After joining the services of the university, Ozumba rose rapidly and was elevated to the academic status of professor barely after seven years of teaching.

Apart from publishing over 300 books, Prof. Ozumba, had training in different foreign universities, since after graduating from UNILAG.

He belongs to several local and international professional bodies.

After serving as dean of the faculty of medical sciences, UNN, Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba, was subsequently appointed provost of the UNN College of medicine in 2004 to 2008 and would be remembered for instituting the Prof. Chukwuedu Nwokolo annual lecture series for academic excellence, as well as founding the University of Nigeria College of Medicine Alumni Association, UNNCOMA.

In several fora, Prof. Ozumba, had re–stated that his dream of establishing the Nwokolo lecture series was being realized, as it had stimulated scholarship and research among academic staff and students in the college of medicine while the UNNCOMA had remained a strong force of uniting all past medical graduates of the college.

In his reaction, the dean of the faculty of health sciences and technology, UNN, Prof. Obinna Onwujekwe, said the appointment of Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba as UNN VC, did not come to them as a surprise, following his intimidating academic and administrative track records, adding that the institution needed a person of Ozumba’s stature to match the high standard set by former vice chancellor, Prof. Bartho Okolo, in academics, training and infrastructural development.

Also reacting, the provost of college of medicine, UNN, Prof. Basden Onwubere, described the appointment as a new dawn in the university and expressed the hope that Prof. Chukwuma Ozumba would record achievements during his tenure.

Professor Ozumba, is taking over from the controversial immediate past VC, professor Bartho Okolo, whose five year tenure just ended last week.