Prof Ozumba becomes UNN new VC
Renowned professor of gynecology, Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, is now the new Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka.
Prof. Ozumba, former provost of the UNN medical school, defeated more than forty other contestants, including current Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic, Prof. Polycarp Chigbu., to emerge victorious.
The erudite scholar, who had contested in 2009 for the post of vice chancellor, following the expiration of the tenure of Prof. Chinedu Nebo, now minister of power, 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 after seven years of teaching. Apart from publishing more than 300 books, Prof. Ozumba, had training in different foreign universities, since after graduating from the University of Lagos and 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.
Meanwhile, the immediate past Vice Chancellor of the university, Professor Bartho Okolo has said that he was leaving the university “better, richer and stronger” than the one he inherited at inception of his tenure five years ago.
Speaking during a farewell ceremony organised by the University of Nigeria for Okolo, the 13th vice chancellor of the institution, Okolo said he was leaving office a happy man, knowing that all the choices his administration made were for the best interest of the University.
He said that some of the decisions his administration took might have been despised by some people, but the results of his choices would impact positively on the University in the years to come.
“I have no doubt in my mind that I am handing over a university that is better, richer and stronger than the one I inherited five years ago. Even detractors and pessimists acknowledge the far reaching developments that have taken place in our university”, he said.
Prof. Okolo said that although his administration was maligned by some disgruntled individuals in the University, he bears no grudges against anyone. “It is my wish that no other Vice-Chancellor experiences the kind of distraction, disrespect and impudence that I had to endure in the course of my tenure.
However, for the records, I do not bear grudges, largely because the dramatis personae are not deserving of my long term emotions”, he said.
He implored the University community to support the in-coming administration to enable it achieve greater development for the University, stating that UNN is not likely to go back to where it used to be.
Chairman of the occasion and former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Prof. Oleka K. Udeala described Okolo as “an award winning Vice-Chancellor, a magician of no mean repute and a man who sees danger as his business”. Udeala, a professor of pharmacy, was the first alumnus to be appointed Vice Chancellor of the institution.
Source: Vanguard Newspaper
Change doesn’t come easy.Though stepped on many toes but the outgone VC is indeed a man of change. Yes,lots of increments were made,but the question is,even to those critics,how many of them have not been involved in one form of exploitation or the other?? and at the end,do we see results for such??
Prof.Batholomew Okolo wasn’t a perfect man,but yes, I repeat, yes!!! we did see results.
Glory be to God. Prof Ozumba we are happy for you. This is God in action.
I sincerly thank the out going V C for his relentless effort in build g,improvg & upgradg d university community & academic environment dat wil stand in test of time.in evry leadership positn,all are not achieved but a reasnable stewardish shd be accountd for wit utmost gud faith.i thank him for discharging his onus judiciously & may God reward him for his superb deeds.I also congrate Prof Ozumba,a man whose probity & proficiency transverses in all ramificatn.kudos & may God give the strength,wisdom &knowledge to carry out this formidable onus bestowd on u.once again Congrat
Yes d past unn vc tried during his tenure, bt he spoiled all his effort at d pick of his tenure thereby making it copmpulsory dt after writing ume/de exam, u wil check ur result with #1500 which hv not been done since existence of unn. I pray dt d new vc will look into that bc there are poor and intelligent once dt want to study in unn.
finally the vc is here not only outside nsukka but outside enugu entirely. We wish u a happy tenure prof. BC ozulumba gudluck man u worth it
PROF. BARTHO OKOLO HAS TRIED ALL HIS BEST TO SEE THAT THIS CITADEL OF LEARNING IS MADE COMFORTABLE FOR TEACHING, LEARNING AND RESEARCH. MY PRAYER TOWARDS HIM IS FOR GOD IN HIS INFINITE MERCY TO BLESS AND PROTECT HIM AND HIS FAMILY. I DO ENCOURAGE THE NEW ELECTED VC OF THIS OUR SCHOOL TO EMBRACE THE SPIRIT OF PARTNERSHIP AS A PANACEA FOR RESOLVING THE PROBLEM OF EDUCATIONAL PARALYSIS IN THIS GREAT INSTITUTION.
Well after all said and done. The volume of a leader leaves after his/her tenure. It is only a test of time that will make Mr Okolo be worthy of our commendation. I warmly welcome our new V C. May the good Lord be with you.