… As Leadership of the Four House Unions Address the Press
In a very serene environment, at the Quality Assurance Building of Alvan Ikoku Federal University of Education, Owerri, on Monday, 27th of January 2025, the leadership of the staff Unions, in the University address a press conference to straighten up the issues emanating from the appointment of Prof. Mrs Ngozi Stella Lemchi, as the first substantive Vice Chancellor of the institusion.
The staff, under the aegis of the Four House Unions, comprising; Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities (SSANU), Non Academic Staff Union (NASU) and National Association of Academic Technologists (NAAT), unanimously endorsed the process that led to appointment of the Vice Chancellor, as well as affirmed the outcome of the exercise.
First among the speakers, was the chairman of the Four House Unions, who is also the chairman of ASUU, in the institution, Comr. Dr. Jovita Ogu, who read out the written address, before entertaining questions from the public.
Dr. Ogu, among other points made, clearly stated that in line with the very transparent process that produced the Vice Chancellor, it is obvious that Prof. Lemchi is the best among the applicants, for having the prerequisite academic qualifications, classroom and research experience, as well as having been part of the institution, for decades, during which she rose through the ranks to become Deputy Provost of the defunct college, Provost of the college, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration) of the new University and now the Vice Chancellor.
Indeed, it would have been hard to produce someone else who could match her credentials and qualification, to lead the institution, at this time.
Other union leaders, including Comr. Kizito Uzoma (SSANU), Comr. Dr. Eze Maduakor (NASU), comr. Martin Chieke (NAAT), as well as, Prof. Ngozi Ebomuche, the immediate past provost of the defunct college, and even the President of the Students’ Union, all concurred with the position of Dr Ogu.
Concluding, the thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the apoointment, the Imo State Governor, Sen. Hope Uzodimma, for the support and enabling environment, and Sen. Dr. Joy Emordi, the Chairman of the University Governing council and her members, for the painstaking effort, right from the advertisement, through the constitution of the search team, to the interview, which was witnessed by the Honourable Minister of Education, through his representatives, including the Federal Character commission, to the point of the final announcement of the first substantive Vice Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Stella Ngozi Lemchi.