By Shedrack Eze and Ogechi Chika, Agbani

Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya is not a strange name when it comes to human capital development and management. He has traversed the length and breadth of the globe, impacting humanity and reshaping humanity.

A former Secretary to the Enugu State Government, (SSG) as well as and ex Director-General, South East Governors’ Forum, Prof Ortuanya’s knowledge and experience in impacting humanity is exemplary.  

With over 25 years of experience in education, teaching and nurturing future generations, Prof Ortuanya is currently the Dean, Faculty of Law in the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT.

Since his assumption of office, the erudite professor has left no one in doubt over his leadership direction. Just a couple of months in the saddle, he has been able to reposition the faculty for effecting teaching and learning.

A man relatively heard in the media but indeed a trailblazer, Professor Ortuanya has overseeing the transformation of the Faculty of Law structurally and intellectually. This has been attested to by staff and students of the faculty who believe that he is a silent achiever.

 A legal practitioner and coordinator of the Law Clinic, Dr Chijioke Agbo spoke with ESUT Monitor of the achievements of the Dean, Professor Simon Ortuanya.

“I must say that since the tenure of the current Dean of Law, who himself, apart from his exposure in foreign universities, is trying to transform the faculty. He was the Secretary to the Enugu State Government and also a Director-General of the South East Governor’s Forum, Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya.

“He has brought a lot of his experience to bear and has been transforming the faculty, physically in terms of infrastructure. Those who know the Law Faculty before will know that a change has taken place. If you look at the frontage of the Faculty, it is quite impressive and even more impressive than it used to be.

“And intellectually, he has also brought in a rejuvenation of intellectual activities in this Faculty. Our programmes are taken more seriously, our students take their lectures more seriously and even our postgraduate students are not exempted. It is no longer business as usual, students have to work hard and earn their degrees and of course, in terms of character and in learning,” Dr Agbo said.

Recently, the faculty was given a new face following the landscaping of part of the surroundings which has added beauty and attraction to the edifice. He also has the vision of ensuring that each classroom has a projector and all needed facilities to make knowledge sharing more conducive

Dr Agbo recounted on the landscaping thus “Well, that’s part of the things I told you that Professor Otuanya brought to the faculty. He has made it possible for our faculty to have a new image. Look at the symbol of justice, the roundabout, the landscaping and the quality of work, the inscription of the Faculty’s name and more reforms are still coming.

“In fact, his vision is to make sure that the faculty has projectors in all classrooms and our law clinic is well-equipped with facilities for its functionality just like a practical law office. Our postgraduate units for instance, do not have functional air conditioning    system, but he has made a commitment and has been implementing some of them.           

“We thank him very much and hope he will continue and we will continue to give him huge support. And if the law Faculty is a huge success, we hope that it will rub off on other faculties of the university,” he concluded.

Professor Simon Uchenna Ortuanya was appointed Dean, Faculty of Law, ESUT in July 2023.