By Franklin Onwubiko
The Acting Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Prof. Carol Arinze-Umobi, held a series of separate, crucial meetings on Wednesday with Deans, Directors, and Heads of Departments (HODs) to discuss her vision for the institution and foster a spirit of peace and collaboration.
Addressing the stakeholders in the respective meetings, Prof. Arinze-Umobi emphasized the importance of unity and cooperation across all levels of the university. She stated, “You are in charge of your respective faculties, directorates, units, and departments; keep the flags flying. I am preaching peace at all levels—departmental and faculty. Let’s put our hands together to ensure we maintain peace as we anticipate the emergence of a Vice-Chancellor who will elevate the university to enviable heights. Become ambassadors of peace in your faculties and ensure smooth operations. You have my support. If there is a crack at your level, it will affect the top.” She also assured them of her commitment to responsive and effective leadership.
The Deans, Directors, and HODs expressed their gratitude and pledged their support. The Dean of Management Sciences, Prof. Pius Okoye, emphasized their responsibility to ease her work and prayed for her success. The Dean of Environmental Sciences, Prof. Chinedu Okoye, acknowledged the peace her arrival had brought and requested attention to security and lighting issues on campus. The Dean of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. A.N. Okpogba, offered their disciplined support. The Provost of the Postgraduate School, Prof. Philomena Igbokwe, expressed full support and confidence in her success. The Dean of Law, Prof. Ogugua Ikpeze, congratulated her again and expressed confidence in her ability to achieve remarkable results during her tenure.
Special goodwill messages and contributions were also delivered by various Directors and HODs. Prof. Samuel Meludu advocated for the Nnewi campus, while Prof. Ike Odimegwu urged everyone to work with commitment, sincerity, and courage, and to focus on rebranding UNIZIK towards excellence. The Head of the Department of Psychology, Prof. Obiajulu Anthony Ugochukwu Nnedum, praised the acting VC’s track record and expressed confidence in her success. Rev. Fr. Jude Ezeanokwasa, the Head of the Department of Customary and Religious Law, commended her fairness and urged her to continue this approach. The Head of the Department of Medical Rehabilitation, Dr. Uchenna Prosper Okonkwo, prayed for God’s guidance during her tenure.
Prof. Arinze-Umobi outlined her vision for her six-month tenure, focusing on unifying all factions, preaching peace, cleaning and greening the university, maintaining an unbroken academic calendar, reducing the university’s indebtedness, and encouraging professors to upload their works to improve university rankings.
The meeting concluded with mutual expressions of commitment to the betterment of the university community, with Prof. Arinze-Umobi expressing her gratitude for the support and pledging to work diligently for the progress of Nnamdi Azikiwe University.