By Ikechukwu Odu

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Professor Chike Nwoha, has thanked the University Governing Council, the Management, the Senate and the entire staff of the University for the opportunity given to him to serve the University.

Prof. Nwoha who stepped down as the DVC of ESUT after two terms (4 years) of meritorious service on Wednesday, during the 278th Regular Meeting of the Senate of the University, stated that he was privileged to have worked with the present Management of the University led by the Vice Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie.

He said the present Management has transformed ESUT tremendously and positioned it as leading ivory tower in South East, Nigeria, and the world at large.

“I am not praising this administration, but it has changed the narrative of ESUT for good. I am very happy that I was part of the team because our Vice Chancellor is a workaholic Vice Chancellor, he always brings out innovative ideas that keeps our university moving forward. This Management promotes staff every year and pays salary of workers on monthly basis,” he said. He expressed his willingness to continue assisting the University when called upon.

While thanking Prof. Nwoha for what he described as “meritorious service to the university, ” the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Okolie stated that he would be glad to work with him again whenever the opportunity calls.

He said that the process of amending ESUT law is ongoing at the state House of Assembly to make room for two Deputy Vice Chancellors, stating that when he gets clearance from the state government, there would be advertisement for the position of two deputy vice chancellors.

He stated that the Digital Bridge Institute has been officially leased to the state government for a period of 50 years for take over by ESUT, adding that all the bottlenecks holding the perimeter fencing of the University have been removed following the 30% approval of the take-off fund to the contractor by the state government.

He added that the State Governor has equally approved the construction of the road leading from students’ hostels to the ESUT Park, adding that the contractor has mobilized to site.

On workers welfare, he thanked the state Governor for implementing N82,000 minimum wage in the university, stating that the South East Governors have resolved at least 20% salary increase for state-owned tertiary institutions in the region, adding that negotiations are ongoing with the Governor for a better welfare package for staff of ESUT.

He enjoined staff unions to allow the Management of the University successfully conclude negotiations with the state government on better salary package for the staff of the university.