Soludo Inaugurates the 8th Governing Council of Ojukwu University

Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, officially inaugurated the eighth Governing Council of Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU) on Thursday at the Anambra State Government House, also known as Light House, Awka.

During the ceremony, the governor tasked the newly appointed council members with leading institutional reform and advancing academic excellence. He highlighted the significance of their appointment, noting that their tenure comes at a critical juncture for the university.

“You have a lot of heavy lifting to do. I am confident that with the new leadership of the council, you will provide nothing short of excellence. Work with the greatest level of integrity, conscientiousness, and passion,” Soludo said. “Consider what is best for the university and the generations unborn; we are all birds of passage. What is important is, while you serve, what changed for the better? That is your guiding principle.”

The council is chaired by Prof. Peter A. Onwualu, who also serves as Pro-Chancellor. Other members include Igwe Dr. Chris Oranu Chidume, Prof. O. J. Ogbuagu, Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, and AIG Chris Ezike (Rtd).

Key university officials on the council are Prof. Kate Azuka Omenugha, Vice-Chancellor; Prof. A. C. Nweke, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration & Environmental Sustainability); Prof. Obiora Ejiofor, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics); and Prof. Sylvia Okonkwo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Development & Uli Campus Affairs).

Additional council members are Prof. Matthias O. Ananti, Prof. Ogonna Ifebi, Prof. Nkeiruka Orji, Prof. MaryJude Igbodika, and Dr. Chukwunonso Ekesiobi.

Governor Soludo explained that systemic challenges, particularly in recent recruitment exercises, prompted the transition. He described the previous council’s inactivity as “inexplicable” and expressed full confidence that the new leadership would reverse these trends. He added that with Prof. Peter Onwualu as Chairman and Pro-Chancellor, he expects positive change.

Responding to the inauguration, Onwualu said, “This will be a different Council. We intend to make COOU one of the top three state universities in the country. The problem of weak institutions is a Nigerian problem, but we will make COOU a very strong university. We covet the Governor’s support to make this happen.”