By Amaechi Agbo

Enugu – The Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, has continued to maintain its dominance in academic spheres within and outside the Enugu State and South East region as the First State-owned university in Nigeria on Friday emerged winner of the 2024 042 Debate.

The 042 Debate was organised by the Enugu State Government in conjunction with Zenith Bank.

For emerging winners, ESUT, represented by the College of Medicine Students, ESUMSA, showed grit and stoicism as they defeated their counterparts from other universities.

This triumph has further signposted the significant steps taking by the current management of the university led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie in repositioning the citadel and promoting academic excellence.

Meanwhile, the Provost of ESUT College of Medicine, Professor Uchenna Ekwochi has described the triumph as a testament of dedication of students and staff as well as investment in the college by the university management.

Prof Ekwochi in phone interview told ESUT Monitor that the victory is the begining of greater things to come from the College and indeed Edit generally.

“It’s a tremendous honor to see our university, college, recognized for their investments in the College of Medicine. This achievement is a testament to the effectiveness of Governor Peter Mba’s education initiatives, prioritizing education and health in the state budget. It’s thrilling to witness our students excel in debate tournaments, demonstrating that ESUT is truly making a positive impact.

“I’m overjoyed and proud of our students and teachers who have worked tirelessly to achieve this success. Their hard work and dedication reflect the high standards of ESUT, and I believe this is just the beginning of greater accomplishments to come,” Prof Ekwochi said.

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A university lecturer, Professor Umezurike Hughes Okafor has called for the establishment of kidney centre in Enugu State.

Prof Okafor made the call on Thursday while delivering the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT’s 38th Inaugural Lecture at the College of Medicine, Parklane Enugu.

Discussing the topic: “Would you like to live a healthy life? Then keep the Purifier Purified” Dr Okafor lamented the increasing wave of kidney transplant tourism by South East residents to countries such as India, UK and US.

While explaining the concept of kidney as the body purifier, Prof Okafor opined that lack of adequate care, healthy live mechanisms has exposed the kidney to dangerous ailments which when not detected early could lead to chronic outcomes

“Recently we carried out a study among kidney transplant patients in South East Nigeria with the aim of determining the frequency and pattern of transplant in the region. We found out that 99% of patents had their transplant in India with majority of them using commercial donors. We observed that 6 were carried out in Nigeria, 4 in UK and 113 in India.

“India was also the country with cheapest cost. This bring us to the fact that out of 126 patients studied, Nigeria had only 6. This is not as a result of lack of qualified personnel of doctors, but lack of establishing kidney centers.

“It is important to emphasize at this point and this is also a call, on the Enugu State Government to establish kidney centre in the state that will take care of kidney related issues among the people in the region, particularly. When kidney infirmities are detected earlier, survival rate is high,” he said.

Prof Okafor who highlighted instances of kidney cases he has handled both at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital and currently at the ESUT College of Medicine, gave explanations on why he chose the topic and advised Nigerians on what to do to keep the kidney healthy.

“The title of this Inaugural Lecture stems from the fact that the kidney is the purifier and contributes immensely to our healthy living. Through my sojourn in renal medicine, I have seen people with ill health, hard stories of woes, torment, truncated/unfulfilled dreams, shattered relationships, and families thrown into poverty whenever the purifier is not healthy or purified.

“To live a healthy live and keep the Purifier Purified, you need to take at least two litres of water daily, avoid high salt or sodium intake, be cautious with sugar, take fruits and vegetables, keep fit and active, do not smoke, be cautious or avoid using unprescribed medications, be sure of that herb and supplements you want to take, report any abnormality to your health practitioner,” he advused.

Earlier while declaring the lecture opened, the Vice-Chancellor, ESUT, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, said that the current management of the university pays premium attention to Inaugural lecture adding that the momentum will be sustained.

He explained why the 38th Inaugural Lecture was held at the College of Medicine instead of Agbani, the main campus of the university.

“It is important for us to broaden our spectrum. When the decision to host the 38th Inaugural Lecture was made, some persons kicked against it, but one thing we discovered today is the fact that this auditorium has become too small to accommodate the people in it. This leaves us with the decision to now start talking about expansion.

“In UNN where I came from, if Inaugural Lecture is being held and the lecturer comes from UNEC, it holds in UNEC. If from Nsukka, it holds in Nsukka. It is important for us to balance the situation and give each campuses equal stake.

“After today, the next Inaugural Lecture, the 39th edition, will hold in two weeks’ time at Agbani. Before the end of the year, we are going to design a new robe for all Inaugural Lecturers so that only those who have delivered their inaugural lectures will wear it,” he concluded.

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Today, members of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT community and indeed scholars and researchers from across the country and beyond, will converge either physically or virtually, at the ESUT College of Medicine Auditorium, Enugu for the 38^th Inaugural Lecture of the university to be delivered by erudite Professor Umezurike Hughes Okafor.  

A Professor of medicine and a consultant physician with subspecialty training in renal medicine, Professor Okafor will be dissecting the topic, “Would You Like to Live a Healthy Life? Then Keep the Purifier Purified” at the ESUT College of Medicine, Parklane, Enugu commencing from 1pm.

Interesting facts about today’s lecture are that Professor Okafor will be recording many “Firsts” with the inaugural lecture as he becomes the first Professor to deliver inaugural lecture in the faculty of Clinical Medicine and 2^nd in College of Medicine ESUT as well as also being the first professor of Medicine to deliver inaugural lecture from Enugu East senatorial zone.

Prof Okafor who has cut his teeth in his academic career, is also the first nephrologist to insert tunneled central venous catheter in South East Nigeria. He pioneered the establishment of haemodialysis center at ESUT Teaching Hospital Parklane, Enugu and was the first head of the unit. He is also the first indigenous Professor of Medicine in ESUT.

The Inaugural Lecturer is a member of several national and international professional bodies such as Nigeria Medical Association, NMA; National Association of Nephrology; Assistant Chairman Nigeria renal registry; Medical and Dental Consultant Association of Nigeria; Transplant Association of Nigeria; African Association of Nephrology; International Society of Nephrology; Hypertensive Society of Nigeria and Association of Private Medical Practitioners of Nigeria.

Apart from being a human capital builder and a mentor, Prof Umezurike Okafor has served the university, Nigeria and humanity in different capacities including serving as current dean, Faculty of Clinical Medicine, Associate Dean Faculty of Clinical Medicine Head of Department as well as being a member of 19 different university committees.

He is currently carrying out free screening for kidney disease in Enugu which holds on World Kidney Day (observed every 2^nd Thursday in Match) from 2019 till date. He conducts annual Medical outreach in Eziokwe Amurri since 2005; Medical Outreach Nigerian Correction center Port Harcourt annually from 2021 till date. Sponsored 1st Rural Electrification and sank borehole at Umuchoke Eziokwe Amurri in Nkanu West Local Government; Sponsor of Prof Okafor UH prize for best graduating student in department of Medicine, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu 2018 till date, among others.

Today, the academics, researchers, industrialists, and all segments of the human society will converge at the ESUCOM Auditorium to cross fertilize ideas on how to live a healthier life.   

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Ahead of the 2024 Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT branch’s election slated to hold on Thursday, August 29,
Dr Ejike Hyacinth Mgbenkemdi has withdrawn from the chairmanship race.

Dr Mgbenkemdi announced his withdrawal from the election in a letter dated August 25, 2024 and sent to the ASUU-ESUT Electoral Committee, said that his stepping down was for personal reasons. He didn’t endorse any of the remaining two candidates.

“I write to inform you that I have stepped down from the ASSU-ESUT chairmanship election for personal reasons.

“Sorry for the inconveniences this might cause you and your team,” Dr Mgbenkemdi’s letter, made available to ESUT Monitor, reads.

Dr Mgbenkemdi’s withdrawal has now thrown the race for the chairmanship position of ASUU-ESUT between Professor Eneje Lawrence and Professor Nnamani Emeka.

The election will hold in two venues, Board Room, ESUT College of Medicine, Enugu and Prof Julius Onah Auditorium, ESUT, Agbani simultaneously starting by 9am.

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By Amaechi Agbo

Ahead of the Thursday, August 29 election, no fewer than two erudite professors and a Ph.D holder have been cleared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities, ASUU, ESUT Chapter electoral committee, to contest for the chairmanship position of the union in the university..

This is contained in a circular made available to ESUT Monitor.

This paper further understands that the election slated to commence by 9am will hold in two venues, Boardroom, ESUT College of Medicine, Enugu and the university’s main campus in Agbani at Senate Chambers.  

The two professors vying to replace the outgoing chairman, Prof Chinedu Aguba are: Professors Eneje Lawrence and Nnamani Emeka as well as Dr Mgbenkemdi Ejikeh. The trio are among the 12 candidates cleared by the electoral committee to vie for the nine available positions in the union.

It was gathered that apart from the chairmanship and Assistant Secretary positions, the remaining offices each has sole candidates.

In the position of Assistant Secretary, Dr Andrew Apeh of Mass Communication Department will square up against Dr Okonkwo Peter.

Other candidates cleared to contest as sole candidates are: Dr Chukwu Peter, Vice Chairman: Dr Ugwuanyi Dele Maxwell, Secretary: Dr Okechukwu Godwin, Treasuer: Dr Aniaku Vincent, Financial Secretary; Dr Nneji Samuel, Internal Auditor; Dr Maduagwu Nneka, Welfare Officer as well as Dr Asogwa Solomon, Investment Officer.

According to the guidelines released by the ASUU ESUT Electoral Committee headed by Prof Barrister Walter Obi Ezeodili, election will hold simultaneously in two centres in Enugu and Agbani. Accreditation and voting will commence from 9am and end by 12noon.

Voting by proxy will not be allowed while members are asked to wear their office identity.

Already, the ASUU Nsukka Zonal Executive Council members are in Enugu in preparatory for the election. The Members on Wednesday paid a courtesy visit to the ESUT management where the Vice-Chancellor assured them of the management’s support; before, during and after the election.

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Wigwe University, sited in Rivers State, South-South Nigeria, will commence academic programmes in August with students expected to pay a whooping ₦12 Millon tuition fees

Regarded as the “most expensive university in Nigeria” the university, founded by the late former Access Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe, is keen on providing a world-class education that equips students with the knowledge and skills to be future-ready.

Wigwe died in a helicopter crash alongside his wife Chizoba, and son Chizzy in California on February 9, 2024.

Punch reports that the university which is located in Isiokpo, Rivers State, will offer a diverse range of programmes across four major colleges, including the College of Management and Social Sciences, the College of Art, the College of Science and Computing, and the College of Engineering.

Now, fees to study in any of these colleges do not come cheap.

It is said that the school when it opens officially, will be the most expensive university in the country.

A check on the school’s website shows that the cheapest college is Arts with a total fee of N9.6m.

Students taking courses in the College of Engineering, College of Management and Social Sciences, and College of Science and Computing will pay a total fee of ₦11,998,800 each.

The fees cover tuition, books, laboratory supplies and consumables, personal protective equipment, project lab resources, e-learning resources, health insurance, student membership in professional associations, student activities, and facilities maintenance.

There are also additional charges covering accommodation fees which include the luxury single bedroom apartment plan- ₦1,000,000 / per month; premium one en-suite bedroom plan – ₦3,845,000 per session; classic one plan – ₦3,707,000 / per session and classic two plan – ₦3,500,000 / per session.

The fees can be paid in two installments per session.

The management of the university, while defending its decision to charge in dollars, recently stated that home students would pay their fees in naira, while international students could select the dollar payment option

It said the decision was a strategic one that aligns with its vision to attract a diverse and international student body.

Punch Credited

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The Enugu State University of Science and Technology ESUT has declared a two-mourning period in honour of late Prof Innocent Okafor who died on Saturday.

Prof Okafor until his death was the Acting Provost, ESUT College of Medicine.

In a statement signed by the Registrar, ESUT, Mr Ambrose Ugwu on Sunday which described Prof Okafor’s death as “untimely”, it noted that academic actives, examinations as well as meetings will be suspended during the two-day mourning period starting from Monday, December 11 to Tuesday, December 11, 2023.

“The University Community received with dismay and deep shock the untimely demise of one of us the Ag. Provost, Esut College of Medicine, Prof Innocent I Okafor on Saturday 9th December, 2023.

“In view of the above,all major academic activities including Examinations and meetings are stepped down for two days starting from Monday,11th December and Tuesday 12th December, 2023 in honour of our deceased colleague.

“Both days are decleared days of mourning in the University including Esut College of Medicine,” the statement concluded.

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The former Provost, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT College of Medicine, Prof. Innocent Igwebueze Okafor, is dead.

Prof. Okafor’s death was announced by the Nigeria Medical Association, NMA Enugu State chapter.

In a release signed by the association’s General-Secretary, Dr. Okafor Sunday, it noted that Prof Okafor died on Saturday, December 9, 2023

“The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) Enugu State led by Dr. Celestine Ugwoke announces with a heavy heart the demise of one of our finest teachers & medical elder; Prof. Innocent Igwebueze Okafor whose sad event occurred this evening, being Sat. 9th of Dec. 2023,” part of the statement read.

Until his transition, late Prof Okafor was the Provost, ESUT College of Medicine and equally had a remarkable clinical and administrative exposures with the College as well as the Teaching Hospital. He was a consummate Obstetrician and a great mentor to many.

“It’s indeed a black day as we are all still left speechless, rudely shocked and devastated by this unfortunate even. The transition of a good forthright man and teacher who gave his all in service to humanity.

“May God to grant his humble soul eternal rest,” the press release concluded.

Late Prof Okafor was a prominent family physician, He ran his own private practice, Phoenix Clinics, for comprehensive medical care and cosmetic and laser therapy. He was considered an expert in family medical care and holds his Certification in the College of Family Physicians (CCFP).

He focused on enhancing the individual’s sense of health and well-being emphasis on preventive health care using current guideline standards. With Phoenix Clinics wellness services, late Okafor fostered a continuity of rejuvenation and wellness by providing individual and group fitness, boot camps, certification classes, and professionally conducted exercise courses, along with cosmetic and laser therapy treatments, including microdermabrasion, cellulite reduction, laser hair removal, massage therapy, and anti-aging and stress treatments, among others. he is also a hospitalist with the Brampton Civic Hospital

Late Prof (Dr) Innocent Okafor graduated from the prestigious Western African College of Medicine at the University of Benin, where he received his Medical Degree in 1990.

He was Founder and President of the nonprofit organization African Crusade of Health and Environment, and served as a general practitioner in Nigeria where, while completing his internship in general practice, he worked with an array of medical institutions in West Africa.

In 2000, after nearly a decade practicing medicine in Nigeria, late Prof Okafor relocated to Canada, where he strengthened his international medical expertise by completing his residency with Memorial University of New Foundland and received his certification as a family physician (CCFP).

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