From Aloysius Attah, Onitsha
Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Anambra State, will honour the wife of the Anambra State Governor, Mrs Nonye Soludo, businessman and Chairman of Ekulo Group, Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo, Chairman of Manufactures Association of Nigeria (MAN), South East Zone and Lady Ada Chukwudozie, among others with honorary doctorate degrees at its scheduled Silver Jubilee celebration and combined convocation ceremonies.
Vice Chancellor (Ag.) of the University, Prof Kate Omenugha, who made the disclosure at the conference hall of the university, Igbariam campus yesterday, during a press briefing, said the university, which started 25 years ago has experienced a positive rapid growth producing highly skilled graduates who are high flyers in their various fields of endeavours.
She listed others shortlisted for the honorary doctorate degree to include the traditional ruler of Ogidi Kingdom, Anambra State, Igwe Alex Onyido, Chief Christopher Ndubuisi (Ikenga Umuawulu) and Nnewi-born seasoned engineer and entrepreneur, Chidozie Mbanefo.
Omenugha noted that the individuals chosen for the honour by the university management are people of impeccable character who have contributed immensely in various positive ways to advance humanity and the university community too.
She recalled the journey so far in the university in the last 25 years noting that the institution which started as Anambra State University of Science and Technology in year 2000 with 500 students and 56 members of staff (23 teaching staff and 33 non-teaching) and later renamed Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University can today boast of more than 2800 percent increase with 1582 staff (667teaching staff and 915 non-teaching staff), with about 200 professors.
She also disclosed that the School of Post Graduate (SPG) Studies started in the university in 2008 with 18 departments and six faculties, has grown today with 54 departments and 14 faculties while the student population has surged to about 23,500 students.
Omenugha disclosed that the university has been over-subscribed today by prospective admission seekers owing to the stable and uninterrupted academic calendar without embarking on strikes, which the university has maintained in the last 10 years.
She appreciated the staff and unions in the university for their dedication and passion and who have been very cooperative over the years towards realising the motto, vision and mission of the university named after Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu
She paid glowing tributes to former governor, late Chinwoke Mbadinuju and the then Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Barth Onugbolu, first Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Ezekwe, the immediate past Vice Chancellor, Prof. Greg Nwakoby for their efforts in the university’s journey so far and to Governor Soludo whom she said has continued to ensure that his Solution Footprints reflects in the affairs and development of the university.
“We are celebrating excellence, togetherness, and pride in the name Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the hero of our time. That is why we are working very hard to ensure that this university truly represents that spirit of patriotism, resilience, the oratory and power which Ojukwu is known for,” she stated.