By Amaechi Agbo
The General Studies Complex, ESUT has become a cynosure of all eyes in recent times thanks to the beautiful landscaping work carried out by the Director, Professor Sunny Udeze.
Prof Udeze assumed duties as the Director, General Studies in September 2022, less than two months after he finished his five-year tenure as the Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, ESUT.
On assumption of office, Professor Udeze prioritized the welfare of the staff and students, and made it his principle policy.
Along the line, he saw the need to either purchase a bus for the staff or landscape the surrounding.
Following consultations and meetings with the staff, they opted for landscaping and today, the General Studies Complex ESUT, has become a pride, a source of attraction and a “photo studio” for not just students but ESUT staff and visitors. Students, Staff and visitors now rush to the complex to take pictures.
Speaking during an interview in his office, Prof Udeze explained why he, with the collaboration of staff, did the landscaping.
The Director, a Professor of Communication, noted that the need to landscape the precinct particularly the frontage was a decision of the staff members after a meeting, who, when he presented two options of either to buy a vehicle or landscape the surroundings to them, they opted for the latter.
“Three months ago, I was discussing with the VC, I told him that we generated a little money after running exams and that I have discussed with the staff of GS and I gave them two options: To buy a vehicle for GS or to use the money to make that place look like it is now (landscaping).
“They opted for landscaping and I told them okay that we will use the money to do that. When I told the VC, he said that anywhere we stopped, he will continue from there to help out,” he said.
Professor Udeze, who will be presenting the ESUT’s 39th Inaugural Lecture on Thursday, September 12, 2024 explained how he sourced for the money as well as the negative advice he received.
“Students pay ₦1,000 for General Studies (GS) which is supposed to be like faculty dues but this is the money that students pay to GS. Unfortunately we don’t have postgraduate students and we don’t have alumni members like Faculties and departments do. When I came in, that was when the CBT was stopped. We used most of the little ₦1, 000 we generated to run exams.
“The interesting thing is that when I was thinking of doing this, some people told me that the money ordinarily is supposed to be for the director so it is not supposed to be for the GS general welfare. They mentioned that some people did not see it the same way and I told them ‘but the money is not for the director that the money is GS’ money.’
“We used the money to do the landscaping and we are happy. After we completed it, the staff told me, that I have empowered them to ask whoever is going to be the next director questions. They will say when ‘Prof Udeze was here, he used the one ₦1,000 to do this up to this point, where is your own what have you done?’ The fact is that I cannot take money that does not belong to me. I am not rich but I am not hungry.”
The complex have become a place for visitors, students and staff to take pictures
“You have seen that the place has transformed the frontage of GS Complex. In the whole of this university, I don’t think there’s any place that has that kind of frontage. The students when they finished their exams, they run to GS Complex to take their pictures, the ones who did defence the other day it’s that place that they are taking pictures. If it is when it used to be filled with bumps and portholes, they won’t be going there and that is what we are saying; make a little mark, that is what we lack.
Our leaders fail to understand that what people are remembered for is their deeds not how much they stole.” he concluded.
The Vice-Chancellor is expected to commission the landscape soon.
During one of his recent activities, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie had expressed concern that the university needs beautification such as landscaping to add more glamour to the edifices in the scholl environment. He had commended the faculty of law for taking the initiative adding that the management would always support any department, directorate or faculty that takes up such action.
