By Amaechi Agbo

The President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of an erudite professor in ESUT, Professor Chinweuba Owo as the Pro-Chancellor/Chairman, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Governing Council.

Prof Owo’s appointment is contained in the list of 555 board members for 111 federal Universities’ Pro-Chancellors/ Governing Council Chairmen, Board members, among others approved by the President on Saturday

A statement from the presidency says the inauguration and retreat for the Governing Councils will take place on Thursday, May 30 and Friday, May 31, 2024, at the National Universities Commission, 26 Aguiyi Ironsi Street, Maitama, Abuja. Both events will commence at 9:00am daily.

According to the Ministry of Education in an advertorial signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Didi Esther Walson-Jack, President Tunubu gave the approval of the pro-chancellors and chairmen of the Governing Board of universities, polytechnic and colleges of education.

Others in the appointments include former Ebonyi State Governor, Chief Martin Elech, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Federal University, Dutse, Jigawa State.

A former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Alhaji Yayale Ahmed, was named the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State.

For the University of Calabar, Cross River State, President Tinubu appointed a former Governor of Adamawa State, Bala Ngalari, as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board.

Tinubu appointed a former Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of the National Open University of Nigeria. Members are Mrs Betty Efekodah, Bawuro Bapetel Yahaya, Dr. Gidado Bello Kumo and Mr Bola Akinola

A former Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, was also appointed as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Board of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Sokoto State, amog others

Chiweuba Owo is a professor of Sociology in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.

Professor Owo who hails from Nkanu East Local Government of Enugu State, is expected to bring his wealth of experience in overseeing the affairs of the 13-year old Federal University.

Brief Profile of Alex Ekwueme Federal University – AE-FUNAI

Alex Ekwueme Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, formerly Federal University Ndufu-Alike Ikwo (FUNAI) was established by the Federal Government on February 26th, 2011 with the mandate of expanding and improving access to quality tertiary education to every part of Nigeria.

The university however, started academic activities on 5th November, 2012, and was officially renamed by the Federal Government after the late civilian Vice President of Nigeria, Dr. Alex Ekwueme on 2nd February, 2018.

Geographically located on latitude 060 8.29’ N, Longitude 080 8.627’E and Altitude 55m (AMSL), AE-FUNAI is sited in Ikwo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State which is about 25 kilometers from Abakaliki, the State capital.

The University prides itself as the ‘Home of Soaring Eagles’ that offers students excellent learning opportunities, informed by up-to-date research and facilitated by highly qualified and motivated workforce, with multi-media class rooms, well stocked modern libraries and well equipped laboratories for practical sessions in a serene learning environment.

It aspires to be a world-class University recognized for the delivery of intellectually rigorous, cutting edge research and excellent teaching and learning experience, geared towards the production of graduates with the relevant hands-on, sellable and employability skills to soar in their chosen careers. Students are offered a wealth of academic choices together with articulation and mobility across the qualifications spectrum ranging from certificates to diplomas and degrees.

The University currently has 11 Faculties – Agriculture, Basic Medical Sciences, Biological Science, Education, Engineering and Technology, Environmental Science, Humanities, Management Sciences, Social Sciences and Physical Sciences accommodating 41 academic departments and 57 programmes, with over 10, 000 students and 2, 230 staff population respectively.

The university has also established a College of Medicine and a School of Postgraduate Studies to expand the frontiers of knowledge.