By Agu Onyedikachi and Chiekezie Emmanuel

The Vice-Chancellor of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, has emphasized the importance of professors in teaching and research and urged them to do more.

The Vice-Chancellor gave the charge on Thursday during the University’s 47th Inaugural Lecture delivered by a Professor of Paediatrics, Prof. Ikenna Ndu at the ESUT College of Medicine, Enugu.

He stated that “somebody might just be promoted to a professorship, and it could be by the number of articles and number of years you have spent, that does not mean you were creating any value. If you are a professor who is always creating value, students will always quote you, and students will always remember you.

“People who made me and put me where I am today are my former students. I thought there’s no student who has passed through me that would forget me eaaily, because you don’t only profess by teaching only the content of a book. You profess by teaching content of a book and giving them words of advice on how to survive in the world. Be their mentor.

“So, a lecturer or a professor should be somebody who is a guide, who directs you towards the correct purpose, and who can connect you to somewhere, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels said.

“He cited his experience in the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, as a professor. “I took two students of UNN to Harvard, USA, and one of them is now a professor. He will never forget what I did for him, when I was supervising him.”

“It’s not about the classroom; it’s about practical things, to narrow the gap between the town and the gown. That is a professor; a professor leads the way and a professor mentors.”

He further stated that Prof Ikenna Ndụ is one of the professors who professed with relevance.

“As usual, Professor Ndu is one of the renowned professors we have. A global professor is a professor who has made his mark at the global stage. And he is such a humble young man, committed and passionate about the job he is doing.

“We are happy that, at least today, he has presented that paper and demonstrated that he is actually well-versed in Paediatrics. He is one of the best names you mention in Nigeria in Paediatric.”