By Amaechi Agbo

The date was Tuesday, December 16. It had dawned like every other day. However, for the staff and students of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, it was not just a normal day.

And all road led, indeed, to the Chemical Departments as it sends forth two of its retiring staff from the system.

First, the entrance of the department, adjacent to the ESUT Catholic Chaplaincy building, wore a different mien. The students, not oblivious of the activities of the day, were seeing in circles, conversing in whispers. Staff were busy putting “things in order”. The mood was more sober than Joie de vivre

The office of the Head of Department of Chemical Engineering was the venue of the Send-forth Party in honour of the retirees. The HOD, Associate Professor Ebere Ejikeme, looked radiate. Her gait, cheerfulness were effervescent.

The staff had gathered and the students were ready to make presentations – music was belaying. The spacious HOD’s office was swallowed up by crowd, made up of invited and largely by united “guests” to honour the two revered men, erudite scholars and mentors in the department, Prof Gordian Mbah and Dr Aniokete Thomas who bowed out from service after serving the university for decades.

While Dr Aniokete Thomas sat placidly, observing and watching the ceremony as it unfolded, Prof Gordian Mbah was nowhere to be found. But it was reported, and our reporter gathered authoritatively, that he was in Imo State for a national assignment. One would assume without contradiction, that Prof Mbah was bodily present in Imo State because his spirit hovered around the department in Agbani. He was regularly on the phone with the HOD to get first-hand information about the party organised in their honour.

To have served the University for 35 years or less without blemish, is distinguishing. Thus, the students of Chemical Engineering came out in numbers through drums, dancing and drama presentations, to honour their long-standing lecturers who had impacted on them. Their drama displays and dancing were nostalgic. Evocative. Graphic. Recollecting.

The staff were moved even as the dramatis personae left the stage in tears. The realisation that Prof Gordian Mbah and Dr Aniokete Thomas would no longer entre the lecture halls, to teach, guide and mentor them, was a heavy reality to comprehend.

Dr Aniokete’s short but impactful speech was chronicling. Although he had his speech written, he almost never read through it.

He started “Esteemed members of the department, I am truly humbled by this historic send-forth ceremony. Your decision to organise a formal farewell – the first ever in our department – speaks volumes about your appreciation of service and legacy…

“Over the years, this department became my academic family. Teaching, supervising, mentoring and learning alongside you, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. To the students, you were the reason the long hours mattered; seeing you grow into capable engineers remains my greatest reward.

“Though I retire from active duty today, I do not retire from my love for the department. I leave with gratitude, pride and confidence that Chemical Engineering will continue to thrive even more without us.”

We will miss them – HOD

In paying her tribute, the Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, Associate Professor Ebere Ejikeme said the department and the university would miss the duo. She described them as among the best hands the department had and wished them well.

“Interestingly, both of them taught me. They are among the best we had and we will miss them. {Professor Mbah distinguished himself in everything he did for the department. Dr Aniokete was exemplary. They were committed to work and gave their best. I wish them all the best,” she said.

If I had my way, I would retain them – Prof Chime

On his part, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Thompson Chime said both lecturers made impact in the department and university at large, stressing that if it were in his powers, he would not allow them leave.

“I have known Professor Mbah for decades. Dr Aniokete also came through the ranks. They are among the best brains we have here. They were committed to their responsibilities.

“Professor Mbhh didn’t join in the ceremony because he is on national assignment. That tells you the kind of person he was here. I have no doubt about Dr Aniokete and what he can do. The truth is that if have the power, I would not let them go. But this is the reality we must face. I congratulate them on serving the university and humanity with nobility.”

“God will Guide them, they’re Leaving for Good” – Fr Agu

​A staff and Ph.D student in the Department, Rev. Fr Engr Francis Agu described the duo as easy-going, very committed to their duty. While asserting that the department and the university will miss them, Father Agu however stressed that they were leaving for good adding that God will guide them accordingly

“Retirement is the end of a chapter which gives room for a new book to begin. Professor Mbah taught me from BSc, Masters to my current Ph.D programme here in ESUT. We really enjoyed him, he’s a very wonderful man, very caring. He’s a father.

“Also, Dr. Aniokete has been a very wonderful friend. He didn’t teach me, but we came together as colleagues, and he has been so wonderful as well. We are happy celebrating them today as they are retiring. Seriously, we will miss both of them because they have been so wonderful. We pray that God Almighty will protect them as they go and guide them in any area of their endeavours,” he concluded