By Agency Report

The Vice Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, on Friday, January 2, received a prestigious chieftaincy title of Ebube Dike I of Obodoakpu, Kingdom, Agbogugu in Awgu Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The title conferred on him by the traditional ruler of Obodoakpu Kingdom, Agbogugu, HRH Igwe Eric C. Nwafor (Eze Chukwu Wetalu 1 of Agbogugu) which received the consent of the state Commissioner for Chieftaincy and Awgu traditional Rulers Council was in recognition of Professor Okolie’s exemplary and transformative leadership which have turned ESUT to a Centre of Academic Excellence.

Igwe Nwafor noted that under the Vice Chancellor’s leadership, ESUT has undergone significant digital transformation, cutting across outstanding infrastructural development, human capital development, academic research, international collaboration and linkages, successful accreditation and expansion of programmes, maintenance of global academic culture and positioning the university to produce graduates who are solution-oriented and globally competitive.

According to the monarch, the university has become a formidable institution among tertiary institutions, with the establishment of a fully equipped Innovation Hub designed to provide students with practical digital skills.

“These achievements and many other human capacity development initiatives informed our decision to confer on him the title of Ebube Dike”, Igwe Eric Nwafor remarked.

The ceremony which was witnessed by all the Monarchs in Awgu, led by the Chairman of Awgu Council of Traditional Rulers, HRH Igwe Maduabuchi Nevobasi (Ogilishi Igbo )who also is the Traditional Ruler of Ezinesi Mmaku, also had in attendance all the members of Igwe’s cabinet and the council of elders.

Also in attendance were a good number of members of ESUT Community, family and friends and others who came to felicitate with the Vice Chancellor.

The event also witnessed the conferment of chieftaincy title of Nwachinemelu1 of Obodoakpu Kingdom, Agbogugu, on the Executive Chairman of Awgu LGA, Hon. Chris Uchenna Joseph Okolie, for the numerous projects and achievements recorded in Awgu Local Government.

In his remarks, Igwe Nevobasi, while congratulating the duo noted that their awards received the blessings of the State Commissioner and Awgu traditional Rulers Council due to the outstanding achievements of the two Awardees.

He charged them to continue to live above board and remain committed to the development of their environment.

In his acceptance speech, Professor Okolie expressed gratitude to the kingdom for the recognition and honour, describing them as motivation to do more for humanity and the society in general.

He pledged to work closely with traditional rulers with the aim of ensuring that development reaches all parts of the community and beyond.

His wife, Lady Uchenna Okolie, was also honoured with the chieftaincy title of “Lolo Ebube Dike” (Oso Di Eme).