By Amaechi Agbo

Enugu – Five Staff of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT College of Medicine were on Monday honoured by the management of the college.

Among the recipients of the awards is the Former Provost of the College, Professor Frank Ezugwu, a Casual worker, Mrs Ijeoma Helen Ugwu.

Others are: Prof. Samuel Ghasi, Prof. Joy Ebele Ikekpeazu and Mrs Philomina Chinwe Ogbodo.

The five staff were honoured by the management for their distinguished performance to the College in the 2023/2024 academic session.

The awards are: the Best Lecturer in Faculty of Clinical Medicine went to former Provost, Prof. Frank Okechukwu Ezugwu; Best Lecturer in Faculty of Basic Clinical Sciences, Prof. Samuel Ghasi; Best Lecturer in Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences, Prof. Joy Ebele Ikekpeazu; Best Performing Non-Teaching Staff in ESUCOM, Mrs Philomina Chinwe Ogbodo and the Best Performing Casual Staff in ESUCOM, Mrs Ijeoma Ugwu.

The ceremony, which got underway a little behind schedule at the College Auditorium, saw key individuals making speeches. First was the Provost of the College, Professor Uchenna Ekwochi who addressed the need for the merit award and how the five awardees were selected.

“The award is ESUCOM management’s way of saying thank you for the excellence service you have rendered to ESUCOM. It is also our way of telling the world hoe much premium we placed in quality service. The award will serve as a stimulant to other staff to strive for excellence,” he said.

Shortly after him was the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ossai who delivered his speech through the Commissioner for Health, Professor Emmanuel Obi, stating the state government’s support to ESUT and improved education in the state.

In His speech, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie lauded the management of the College for the initiation and promised support.

While congratulating the awardees on their achievements, he charged them not to relent and urged those not considered for the maiden award to improve on their commitment and work ethics.

Adding “At the end of the day, the intent of the ESUCOM Annual Merit Award is to promote work ethics and excellence among the staff. This is the guiding principle of the University management and we will support you in this regard,” the VC said.

The awardees who spoke to EUST Monitor variously in interviews, expressed gratitude to the management for the honour and expressed determination to do more.

“This is an honour and achievement I dedicate to Mother of Perpetual Help and to the management of ESUCOM and our university. The reward for good work is more work, I will not relent,” Prof Ezugwu said

On her part, Mrs Ijeoma Ugwu gave God all the glory for her great day and dedicated her award to her family, bosses and the management of the board.

In her words “Ọ di m kam nọ na nro (It’s as if I am in dream)” she said

Highlights of the Award ceremony were presentation of plaques, certificates and a token of N100, 000 to the awardees as well as group pictures with the management and staff of ESUCOM.