By Ben Ezechime, Enugu

The Management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), says it has secured a ₦149 million grant from the Federal Government to equip its Library.

The Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie disclosed this on Thursday in Enugu.

Okolie spoke at a two-day workshop and training on “Leadership and Strategic Planning in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria,” organised by the institution for Frontline ESUT management staff.

Speaking further the VC said that ESUT was among the 30 universities across the country that faced the ministerial tender board for the grant.

He said this was part of efforts by the university management to reposition the institution.

“If we don’t know where we are going, then we are going nowhere. There must be a predetermined destination,” he said.

He said the workshop and training was meant to broaden the leadership knowledge of the management staff of the institution for quality service delivery.

According to him: “As a leader you must be preemptive, you must be creative and innovative.

“We brought all of you here to train you as agents of change.”

Delivering the lead paper on “Leadership and Strategic Planning in Tertiary Institutions,” Professor Chidiebere Onyia, Secretary to Enugu State Government, outlined four-pronged approach to effective leadership.

According to him, these include strategic leadership, tracking growth, research and training and mentorship.

Onyia said that the university needs to recalibrate, adding that after 44 years of its existence, ESUT was yet to fulfil the dreams of its founding fathers.

He warned the staff to redouble their efforts in terms of quality delivery to realise the objectives of the founding fathers of ESUT, particularly in technology.

“As we are building this university, we need to know that quality is highly needed.

“In 44 years of it’s existence, ESUT as an institution has not reached where it ought to be as the pacesetter and catalyst in technology,” he said.

Participants at the workshop include all the deans, heads of department, and senior non-academic staff of the university including the Registrar.