The Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, ESUT, Associate Professor Ebere Ejikeme in this exclusive interview with ESUT Monitor in her office recently, shared with us her experiences in piloting the affairs of the Department, her emergence as First Female Head of Department of Chemical Engineering (HOD), Plans and challenges.

Dr Ejikeme while declaring her plan to transform the Department also enumerated other projects she desired to execute within her term inoffice.

Excerpts  

Profile

My name is Dr Ebere Ejikeme. I’m an Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering and the current HOD of Chemical Engineering Department, ESUT.

I assumed office on 3rd of April 2025, consequent upon the resignation of  the former HOD.

In the beginning

It wasn’t easy, but I knew with God by my side the challenges would definitely fizzle out and expectations would be met. I first of all studied the responsibilities of HOD, the peculiar needs of the Department. I also took a tour of the facilities under my Department and as well interacted with the staff of the Department. This helped me to get first-hand information about the challenges and needs of my Department.

Staff support

They are very supportive. When I assumed office, I held a meeting with the core agenda to have a united family. The turnout for the meeting was quite impressive and the outcome was profoundly impactful. There were promises of loyalty, prayers and unalloyed support. Since that day, they have never flinched in their support for my administration and I have been having their maximum support in all issues .As the first female HOD one of my targets was to have a united family anchored on  equity, fairness and egalitarianism. With this,  one can achieve a lot. There is a saying that where there is unity, there is rich hope for progress. During the meeting, I also passionately requested for their untainted support for the development and growth of the Department. They have been giving me their maximum backing and I am eternally grateful to them.

First Female HOD

I am the first female HOD since Chemical Engineering was established 45 years ago in ESUT. If you look at the frames of past HODs on the wall here (her office), you would not see a female among them. Do you see any female there? So I’m the first person coming up as female HOD. This is one honour ,too many and calls for extraordinary commitments from me.

A challenge or motivation?

For me, it’s a challenge and a motivation at the same time. It’s a challenge because I told myself I must do something to make a significant difference as a female head. It is a motivation because when I look at the portraits of my predecessors, I got inspired to work harder because many of them were my teachers and I knew the legacies they left behind. I promised myself that the table has to change, new ideas must be injected into the system for sustainable results.

Intimidated as first female HOD?

We are all engineers, I’m not, and we are all equal. Once you are an engineer, everybody is equal. In the real sense of it, there is no gender inclination in our profession. I’m not intimidated, although I know that I consider myself being lucky to be one of them. By the way, have you forgotten the saying that ‘what a man can do, a woman can also  do and  even better?’ (laughs)

Fortunately, all of them taught me. I passed through them here. They all shaped the person I am today, my philosophy and disposition. They taught me during my undergraduate years and now I’m their HOD. They are rather my mentors and even as their HOD, I still look up to them. Every leader is a learner and that is why I consult them often. We hold Departmental Board meetings regularly, so they give me much support and I am grateful

Mentorship in academics

Actually, I can’t really tell you that I have somebody that specifically mentored me when I was undergraduate here. But there were a lot of them that directly and indirectly impacted my growth. Mentorship is critical in a place of higher learning because the older ones need to mould the young ones to become better than them.  But right now, our Vice Chancellor is my role model in leadership. I look at those people that are doing well, I take them as my role model. They’ll be mentoring me without them knowing it. I’ll just be following their footsteps.

Plans for the Department

By God’s grace I have plans for Chemical Engineering Department, some of which I have started implementing. My major plan is to transform the Department. To bring unity and smiles on the faces of my staff. I believe that when your staff are happy they perform optimally, they will give their best. I will always like to give them that conducive environment to work.

I also want to establish Chemical Engineering Ventures. During the first meeting, I constituted a committee for it. Because we need to start an economic venture for the benefit of the Department. We constituted a committee that is currently working on the registration and feasibility or otherwise of the project.

Welfare of staff:

I have also decided that the Department will be having annual get-together every year as long as I remain the HOD. This is a way to appreciate the staff after working for a whole year. We held a Christmas get-together party for the Chemical Engineering staff last year. It’s interesting to let you know that it’s a median edition and the first of its kind since the inception of our Department. I want to be doing Christmas party for them every year and share gifts no matter how small. I started it in 2025, and by God’s grace, it will keep on getting better every year.

Achievements

When I assumed office, I inherited an ugly situation where the whole office gets flooded any time it rains. That  very first day I assumed duty , it rained and all the files on the floor were soaked with water. My staff worked till evening that day to save the files. I immediately resolved that it will never happen again. The next day, I  engaged the staff of Works Department and created an avenue for proper channelling of the flood. As I speak now the problem has been solved.

Secondly, I restructured the office to have an administrative convenience by creating an entrance door that links HOD’s office with the reception.

Thirdly I brought electricity supply to our office because there was no light in the building when I assumed the office.

Fourthly Christmas gift to my staff. I started the Christmas party during December 2025. And to the glory of God, 50kg bags of rice were distributed to all the staff. They all went home with a bag of rice each. All the 30 staff we have in the department, both teaching and non-teaching, collected 50k of rice.

That gesture was courtesy of an alumnus of the Department, Engr. Moses Chukwu of 1998 set. He expressed willingness to gift the Department and I am eternally grateful to him. His love for our Department  and readiness to give back to the institution that shaped him, is elegant  and graceful.

Furthermore, I organized a befitting send-forth party for the two retiring staff of the Department, Prof Mbah and Dr Aniokete

 Departmental shirt for students.

I also initiated the project. The shirt is for easy identification and to make the students dress neatly and decently. It also reduces unnecessary fashion competition among them.

They look impeccable in it and I was happy when the Dean singled them out during the faculty orientation for being different. 

Other HODs including the faculty are now emulating us. If you see Chemical Engineering students, they look unique and decent.

Relationship with VC

My relationship with VC is cordial and wonderful. The VC is one of  the best things that happened to ESUT at this point. I really want to thank him for giving me the opportunity not just to contribute to the development of the Department in particular but ESUT in generally. For him to call me and said “I want you to be the HOD,” it’s a privilege, I will not take for granted. As HOD, this is the time for me to contribute whatever I can to the progress of the Department and the University at large.

To younger ones

My advice to younger one is that they should work hard and be patient. Hard work pays , patience rewards. When it is your turn, God will make a straight way for you.

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The ESUT Catholic Chaplaincy, St Albert De Great will on Thursday, July 3^rd, 2025 hold requiem Mass in honour of late Dr Virginia Onyeka.

Dr Onyeka, who was recently promoted to the rank of Associate Professor, died on 23^rd May, 2025 after undergoing major surgery at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu. Until her death, she was a staff of ESUT in the Department of Accountancy, Faculty of Management Sciences.

In a statement endorsed by the Chairman, ESUT Catholic Community, Professor Chike Anibeze and the Chaplain, St Albert De Great Chaplaincy, Rev Fr Valentine Ozono, noted that the requiem Mass will hold at the main campus of the university, Agbani by 12noon.

Speaking on the demise of Dr Onyeka, Rev Fr Ozono described her as a virtuous woman who showed passion and commitment in the affairs of the church and humanity.

 “Dr Virginia Nnenna Onyeka was a committed member of St Albert De Great Chaplaincy and the ESUT Catholic Community. Her death is a big loss to us as a family but the Heavenly Hosts have gained a beautiful soul.  

“During her life time, she was the Coordinator of the Faculty of Management Sciences Prayers and Masses. Most importantly, she is among those who signed one per cent (1%) of their salary for Catholic projects and evangelization. So, as a practising Catholic, we are holding the Mass on Thursday by 12noon to bid her farewell and ask God to give her passage to eternity.

“It is our faith that God will have mercy on her and accept her soul in His kingdom. We also pray that He strengthens the family to bear this loss. May the soul of Associate Professor Virginia Nnenna Onyeka and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen” Fr Ozono said.

Associate Professor Onyeka was aged 57.

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Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS) and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ESUT Branch have expressed deep sadness and shock over the death of Dr Virginia Nnenna Onyeka.

Dr Onyeka, a staff of the Accountancy Department in ESUT, died on Monday, May 26, 2025 after a brief illness at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Enugu.

In separate condolence messages signed by , the Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, Professor Uche Ugwuanyi and the Acting Chairperson, ASUU-ESUT, Dr Andrew Apeh, respectively, they mourned the departure of Dr Onyeka and also paid glowing tributes to her selfless and dedicated services to the university and humanity.

In his sympathy messages, Prof Ugwuanyi said the faculty would miss her passion and dedication to work.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of our dear colleague, Dr. Mrs. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka, Associate Professor of Accountancy Department and active member of our Faculty Welfare Committee. Her dedication, passion, and contributions to our faculty will be deeply missed.
“May her gentle soul rest in peace,” he said.

On his part, Dr Apeh who described her death as a “profound sadness”, extended the union’s condolences to the family and asked God to grant her soul heavenly repose. He extolled her commitment and contributions to the Union stressing that her passing created a vacuum.

“It is with profound sadness that I announce the passing of our dear colleague, Associate Prof. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka of the Department of Accountancy. On behalf of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) ESUT branch, I extend our heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the bereaved family.

“We pray that the Almighty God grants her gentle soul eternal rest in heaven. May the family find solace and strength during this difficult time. We enjoin all ASUU members to continue praying for her soul to find rest and for the family to bear this great loss with fortitude.

“Prof. Virginia Nnenna Onyeka was a dedicated academic staff and a valued member of ASUU ESUT, known for her hard work and commitment. Her contributions to the union and the university will be deeply missed,” Dr Apeh said.

It could be recalled that Dr Virginia Nnenna Onyeka was recently promoted to the rank of Reader (Associate Professor) in the university before her death this week.

Late Onyeka died following a major surgery at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH).

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By Amaechi Agbo

The Vice-Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie has confirmed the appointment of Associate Professor Dorathy Obianuju Abonyi as the Associate Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies.

Associate Professor Abonyi’s appointment was sequel to the recommendation of the Dean, PG, Professor Charles Chime.

Professor Chime told ESUT Monitor in an interview why she was recommended for the job.

“She is a Electronic Engineer from Electronic department, she was a the immediate past HoD of her department. We have seen her and she is someone that is very dedicated and resourceful. When the Vice-Chancellor wanted to appoint somebody as the Associate Dean, I recommended her. It wasn’t difficult to appoint her because we have seen her work,” Prof Chime said.

Associate Professor Dorathy Abonyi graduated with 2nd Class Honours Upper division in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from ESUT in 1999. She further obtained a Master of Engineering (M.Eng) degree of the same University in 2003.

She joined the services of ESUT in 2007 as an Assistant Lecturer after an earlier industry experience as a staff of The Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) where she grew rapidly to Principal Engineer, FRCN Training School.

Dr. Dorathy later proceeded to the University of Sheffield, United Kingdom as Tetfund Scholar where she bagged ,Master of Science in Engineering with major in Data Communication Engineering and crowned it up with a PhD degree.

Dorathy has been a two tenure Head of Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering with outstanding records of leadership. As HOD and in her quest for collaborative research and love for environment, she attracted two million naira fund from CBN to build an innovative ESUT BSG (Brainstorming garden) where researchers gather in small groups in a natural environment to build research ideas. She also attracted funds from other individuals to implement a digital display and signage in EEE and MPE building making the Departments stand out from any other Department in the University. As a Head of Department, Dorathy ensured that all students of the Department ready for graduation graduated on schedule. Her footprints in EEE department are too numerous to mention.

Dorathy, is currently an Associate Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering of ESUT with over 40 Journal and Conference paper Publications in highly rated local and International journals and have attended several conferences in USA, UK, India, China, Italy, Morocco and within Nigeria where she presented original researched papers. She has been recently appointed the Associate Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, ESUT for the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 academic sessions.

She is versed in the Communication Systems Engineering where she has done works on Antennas, Radio wave propagation, Localization systems and other areas of Wireless and data communication Engineering. Dorathy has a special interest in Engineering management where she has published some papers and currently a part-time lecturer at ESUT Business school, Enugu.

She is a member of a number of Professional Associations including; the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), Association of Professional women Engineers of Nigeria (APWEN), Institute of Engineering & Technology (IET), Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), International Association of Engineers (IAENG).

It is expected that Associate Professor Abonyi will bring her wealth of experience to bear in repositioning the School of Postgraduate Studies in ESUT.

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