By Christian Aburime
Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo has inaugurated a new Governing Council for the state-owned Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, (COOU) with acclaimed lawyer and teacher, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu as Pro-Chancellor/Chairman.
Established in 2000 as Anambra State University, the school was renamed after the late Biafran leader in 2014.
Other members of the Council inaugurated at the Government House, Awka on Wednesday, included Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, Ojukwu’s widow, Chief Christopher Ndubuisi, Igwe Oranu Chris Chidume and AIG Chris Ezike (rtd).
The others were Professors. K.K. Nwozo, Angela Nwamuo, C.C Chukwueloka, Obi Emeka, Anselm Nweke, and M.N Chendo.
Describing the university as the apex of tertiary institutions in the state, Governor Soludo charged the Council “to build an educational system that is fit for purpose.”
The governing Council should “reinvigorate and regenerate the university for the times, we live and the times yet to come.
“Are we preparing our children to be able to dominate the future? The university needs to carve its own unique identity, its own brand,” the governor said, adding: “Fiscal sustainability is part of the challenges but you have to compete and dominate with the little resource base at your disposal.”
Responding on behalf of his colleagues, Prof. Odinkalu thanked the governor for extending to them the privilege to serve.
He promised that the Council would work with the university’s 2014 laws, which “…talks about investing in research in African cultural heritage, promoting the social heritage of the state, to stimulate and sustain interest in agriculture.
The Council will also work with the Vice-Chancellor, management and staff to reposition the school, said Prof Odinkalu, who also commended the Ojukwu family for inspiring “enterprise, humility, enlightenment, courage and leadership virtues.
