By Ali Hope, Nnabuenyi Miracle and Ugorji Chinwendu

After four years marked by the restoration of peace, staff promotions, improved welfare, solar lighting and departmental expansions, the Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof. Nicholas Attamah, on Friday bowed out of office following the handover ceremony conducted in the faculty

During the handover to his successor, Professor Okechukwu Oji, Prof. Attamah explained that he assumed office on September 1, 2022, and was returned unopposed for a second term because of the cooperation he received from staff and students.

Prof. Attamah identified the restoration of peace and harmony as one of the major achievements of his administration.

He said cooperation among lecturers, non-teaching staff, heads of departments and students helped the faculty resolve most internal disputes before they escalated.

“We resolved issues internally and we worked as a family. The faculty is united in everything we do and it contributed immensely to the progress and achievements we recorded,” he said.

Beyond conflict resolution, the administration also focused on staff welfare and career advancement. Prof. Attamah said many academic and non-teaching staff were promoted during his tenure, contributing to an increase in the number of professors in the faculty.

He added that the administration encouraged professors to deliver their inaugural lectures, describing the development as a significant achievement.

According to him, all staff who retired during his tenure received their retirement benefits.

“As I leave, the faculty is not owing any of our retirees their benefits. The facult grew from four departments to eight which is milestone. With special thanks to the Vice-Chancellor who was very dupportive and approachable,” he said.

He explained that four new departments were created during the period, although two were later transferred to the Faculty of Arts following the establishment of the new faculty.

On infrastructure, Prof. Attamah said solar panels were installed around the faculty to provide lighting at night.

He explained that the faculty had previously been very dark after sunset because of inadequate electricity, but the solar lighting had improved visibility and security within the environment.

He also commended the Vice-Chancellor for supporting the faculty’s development. “The Vice-Chancellor fulfilled a promise to provide a new building for the faculty. The building, located opposite the Faculty of Agriculture, is about 70 per cent complete and is expected to provide a better environment for teaching and learning when finished”.

Speaking about his successor, Prof. Okechukwu Oji, Prof. Attamah described him as a friend, mentor and experienced academic who understands the faculty.

He advised Prof. Oji to build on the achievements of the outgoing administration and continue the work already started.

Prof. Attamah expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to lead the faculty and achieve greater progress.

“He knows it all. We have been interacting, and he has been cooperating with us,” he said.

Prof Oji will assume office officially on Monday, September 1, as the new Dean of Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities.