A NEW DAWN FOR UNIZIK SUG
UNIZIK VC Receives Newly Elected SUG Executives, Pledges Stronger Partnership on Student Welfare
The Vice-Chancellor of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Prof. Ugochukwu Stanley Bond Anyaehie, has received the newly elected Executive members of the Students’ Union Government (SUG), led by the President-elect, Comrade Nnake Winston Chukwueloka, during a courtesy visit to his office.
The delegation was led by the Dean, Student Affairs, Prof. Kingsley Ubaoji, who formally presented the newly elected student leaders to the Vice-Chancellor.
Welcoming the delegation, Prof. Anyaehie congratulated the new executives on their successful election and expressed particular satisfaction with the high level of student participation recorded during the exercise.
He disclosed that out of approximately 48,000 eligible voters, between 18,000 and 19,000 students participated in the election, describing the turnout as one of the highest recorded in the history of the University’s Students’ Union elections.
The Vice-Chancellor commended the new executives for their ICT-driven ideas and agenda, urging them to remain focused on the welfare and collective interests of the entire student body.
He reminded them that leadership was fundamentally about service, responsibility and respect, stressing that the Students’ Union should not be viewed as the personal possession of its leaders but as a collective platform for advancing the interests of all students.
Responding, the President-elect, Comrade Nnake Winston Chukwueloka, expressed appreciation to the Vice-Chancellor and University Management for receiving the new executive and thanked students for entrusting them with the mandate to lead.
He described the election as a significant milestone in the history of the Students’ Union, noting that the impressive voter turnout reflected renewed interest in union activities and democratic participation among students.
“Not my union, but our union. It is a union,” Chukwueloka declared, pledging that his administration would work in the collective interest of the students.
He subsequently introduced members of his executive, including the Vice-President, Financial Secretary, Director of Socials, Secretary-General, Public Relations Officer, Director of Welfare, Assistant Secretary-General, Director of Sports and Treasurer.
The Vice-President, Comrade Angelica O. Adaeze, used the occasion to draw Management’s attention to the need for improved healthcare services for students.
She highlighted challenges reportedly encountered by students at the University Medical Centre, particularly in handling emergency cases, and appealed to Management to strengthen the facility with adequate medication, equipment, infrastructure and emergency-response capacity.
According to her, improved healthcare delivery would enhance student welfare and positively impact the image of the University and its administration.
Responding to the concerns raised, Prof. Anyaehie outlined several reforms and initiatives being implemented by his administration to improve students’ welfare and enhance their overall University experience.
On hostel management, the Vice-Chancellor disclosed that the University was reviewing the existing system, with plans to give the Dean of Student Affairs a more direct role in hostel administration to ensure that students receive better value for the fees they pay.
He emphasised that access to basic amenities such as water, functional toilet facilities and a clean environment should not be treated as luxuries but as fundamental necessities for students.
Prof. Anyaehie also highlighted the University’s digitalisation agenda, including plans to integrate Artificial Intelligence into the General Studies programme and establish an AI Academy.
He explained that the University was negotiating with service providers to reduce the financial burden of digital initiatives on students. He added that the General Studies programme was being redesigned to enable newly admitted students to undertake some aspects of their studies online from home before reporting to the University for tutorials and other academic engagements.
The Vice-Chancellor further disclosed that Management was reviewing the cost of the Learning Management System and had negotiated reductions in the cost of General Studies materials. He said students would increasingly have access to academic materials digitally, thereby reducing dependence on expensive physical textbooks.
He assured the student leaders that the administration was committed to preventing students from being burdened with charges for services they did not require.
According to him, fees for additional services, such as change of programme or supplementary admission, should be paid only by students who require such services rather than being imposed on the entire student population.
On transportation, Prof. Anyaehie explained that the University’s Keke initiative was originally designed to provide students with affordable transportation at about ₦100 per trip through a booking system.
He acknowledged challenges affecting the scheme, including drivers’ preference for cash payments, operational difficulties and maintenance costs, and assured the students that Management was exploring ways to improve the system and make transportation more affordable, accessible and efficient.
The Vice-Chancellor urged the new SUG executives to discharge their responsibilities with maturity, humility and a strong commitment to service.
He assured them of Management’s willingness to maintain constructive engagement with the student representatives and work with them as partners in addressing issues affecting the student community.
The courtesy visit therefore marked the beginning of a new working relationship between the University Management and the newly elected SUG leadership, with a shared focus on student welfare, improved healthcare, digital innovation, affordable services, better infrastructure and effective representation.
Prof. Anyaehie congratulated the new executives once again and wished them a successful and impactful tenure in office.
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