In the quest to eradicate drug abuse and addiction to hard drugs in Enugu North Local Government Area, the Council Chairman, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh, met with the Commander, Narcotics of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Mr. Abel Sunu, to discuss strategies that will aid drug interceptions and intervention across the 13 political wards in the council.

The meeting, which took place on Wednesday at the State Headquarters of NDLEA located at Independence Layout, Enugu, brought to the fore a fruitful discussion focused on strengthening collaboration between the agency and Enugu North Local Government Area. The aim is to enhance intelligence gathering, encourage proactive community involvement, and build stronger structures for swift, coordinated responses.

Addressing newsmen after the meeting, Dr. Ibenaku Harford Onoh stated that the council is currently exploring ways to better align efforts in safeguarding critical areas in the council.

He explained that his leadership has identified hard drug intake as a major threat to the growth and well-being of youths in the area.

“We are not just paying attention to the symptoms; we are going deep to tackle the root of this issue. Our goal is to cut off the supply chain and offer genuine help to those already affected. This is not a fight we can win alone, which is why working with agencies like the NDLEA is vital,” Dr. Onoh said.

“Our young people deserve a future free from the dangers of drug abuse. Through this collaboration, we hope to reach them before the streets do. Rehabilitation, education, and vigilance must go hand in hand if we are to reclaim our communities.”

Dr. Onoh also stated that this move aligns with the vision of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in addressing challenges associated with hard drug use across the state.

Also speaking, the Commander, Narcotics of NDLEA, Mr. Abel Sunu, praised Dr. Onoh for his efforts towards improving the welfare of residents in Enugu North Local Government.

He stated that the partnership with the council is timely, as it will strengthen their shared efforts in securing the area and safeguarding future generations.

He also commended the efforts of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah in making Enugu one of the safest states in Nigeria, while also emphasizing the importance of staying ahead in the fight against hard drug intake through sustained enforcement and inter-agency cooperation.

The post Enugu North Local Govt. Partners NDLEA in Curbing Hard Drug Menace appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

On Tuesday, March 26, 2024, the new Governing Council of ESUT members officially resumed duties following their inauguration by the Visitor to the University, His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah at the Government House.

Shortly after, the Council members in company of the management of the university led by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie arrived ESUT where they were received by the workers, students and members of the University community.

Like a new sheriff in town and a Daniel who has come to judgement, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa known for his humility and unassuming disposition, left no one in doubt on what to expect from the new Council under him.

The workers and students had gathered at the VC’s entrance, earlier enough, defying the scorching 12noon sun to give the new council a rousing reception.

Arriving the university in a motocade, the new council members were taking round the university precinct for on-the-spot assessment of the school premises.

There was no doubt that the rigours of inauguration and the long journey down to Agbani from Enugu metropolis as well as the hot weather would have brought some fatigue on the chairman and his Council Members. But that was never the case.

Speaking to the workers shortly after alighting from the Coastal Bus, the new chairman addressed the university workers:

Action speaks louder than voice

In his first speech, the new Pro-Chancellor said he was not in ESUT to make speeches but rather to let his actions speak, instead.

“I am not used to flamboyant words, I believe that actions speak louder than voice. I believe also that the call of duty is a challenge to the brave. That is why when you see me as an accountant, I am being very careful with even words we make in public because if you are not able to back it with actions, one-plus-one will not give you two again. Because of that, let us see what is happening and see what we will do. Maybe as time passes, you may give us a name – talk and do,” he said in brevity

Rejection of umbrella

Aware that the new Chairman was sweaty, as a result the hotness of the weather, a staff of the university rallied round and produced an umbrella to cover the chairman while he was speaking.

Surprisingly, even without looking around, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa used his right hand to push the umbrella away. As he was doing so, instantly, he used his index right finger to remove the sweat that was almost covering his eyes.

The move, very emotional and sympathetic, was not unrecognized by the staff who applauded his gesture with ovation and declared “truly, Chinyeaka is a shepherd who understands the pains of his people.”

Ohaa’s disposition is uncharacteristic of the mindset of a typical Nigeria leader, who under obvious circumstances would have even requested for a shade over him not to talk of rejecting the umbrella under such intense March sun.

We Have A Forthright Council Chairman – VC

The Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie also poured encomium on the new chairman.

Speaking in an interview after the Council’s inaugural sitting, the VC told ESUT Monitor that indeed ESUT has got a father who understands the peculiarities of the institution.

”It was a great outing, we have a highly experienced and forthright Chairman who has shown a lot of passion in changing the narratives in ESUT.

“From this inaugural meeting, it was obvious that we are moving in the right direction and issues raised, the way he handled them and the expectations from the Council, is so encouraging.”

Although details of the resolutions and decisions of the Council were not made public, ESUT Monitor gathered that they centred on enhancing the physical facilities, staff welfare and ensuring that the face of ESUT is changed for the better.

Number of Council members

Currently, there are 8 external members while the internal ones will join them. The membership of the council is expected to reach 13 by the time it’s fully constituted.

The former Governing Council led by Most Rev Prof Bishop Godfrey Onah were inaugurated on March 11, 2020 with a membership strength of 13 councillors.

Duties and composition of the Governing Council

The Governing Council of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT) is the institution’s top decision-making body. It is in charge of the university’s overall management and direction, ensuring that it works in compliance with its mandate and regulatory establishments.

The Council is comprised of a Chairman appointed by the Governor of Enugu State, the Vice-Chancellor of the University, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, the Registrar, and other prominent members from diverse fields of expertise.

The Council’s primary mission is to establish policies and make decisions affecting the institution’s academic, administrative, and financial issues. This includes approving the university’s annual budget, supervising staff recruiting and promotion, approving new academic programmes, and ensuring that the university functions in accordance with its goal and objectives.

The nomination of the Vice-Chancellor is one of the Council’s most important tasks. The Vice-Chancellor is the university’s chief executive officer and is in charge of the institution’s day-to-day operations. The Council is in charge of ensuring that the Vice-Chancellor is appointed on merit and that he or she is capable of providing the essential leadership to propel the university forward.

The post Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa: A Shepherd Who Leads By Example As New ESUT Governing Council Chairman appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

The newly appointed Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa has identified priority areas that need urgent attention in tackling the challenges facing the university.

Speaking with ESUT Monitor shortly after their first Council Sitting on Tuesday following inauguration by the State governor, the former Permanent Secretary of FCT listed funding, insecurity, epileptic power supply as well as indiscipline as major issues that need to be holistically tackled if the needed new administrative drive will succeed.

Mr Ohaa who noted that no university can survive under such conditions, however said that the Council’s first sitting will provide a road map in tackling the challenges headlong

“The first sitting was very wonderful, there’s rendition of all the challenges and all the gains from the Vice-Chancellor and we are happy because the man has the full dossier of what you people are passing through in ESUT.

“Everything is anchored on funding, not only subvention, there are a lot of uncompleted projects here, there is no water and there is no steady electricity supply. No university will succeed in this type of environment. Students need to have a level of good environment for them to be able to learn and bring the best out of them

“Secondly is insecurity and disciplinary issues.

“We are going to tackle most of these things and then the students and lecturers relationships so that nobody will take advantage of any other. You know all these fraudulent practices, even students blackmailing lecturers; we will not tolerate that. If a lecturer is not meeting up with the standards expected of him, we are not going to tolerate that.

“We have looked into it, asked questions and we are looking at compiling a strategic document so we can articulate the best way the ruling plan.

“That strategic document we are going to come up with, is what will be our compass that will direct all our actions because after that we are going to discuss with the Visitor of the University, who is the governor of the state and from there we can take bearing.”

It could be recalled that the Enugu State Governor through a memo on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 announced the appointment of Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa as a replacement for Most Revd. Bishop Godfrey Onah as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman, Governing Council of the university.

Similarly, Prof. Uchenna Ekwochi replaces late Prof Innocent Okafor as Provost, ESUT College of Medicine, ESUCOM.

Other members of the board also approved by the Enugu State Governor, His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah are: Prof. Ikenna Chukwu, Engr. James Ajibo Ifeanyi, Gladys Ngozi Okoro, Hon. Chinedu Onu and Dr. Eric Oluedo.

The post Chinyeaka Lists Funding, Insecurity, Epileptic Power Supply As Major Challenges In Esut appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

The Joint Action Committee, JAC an umbrella body for all the unions in ESUT, has issued a six-point needs to the new Chairman of ESUT Governing Council, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa.

The association made the demand during the reception in honour of the newly reconstituted Governing Council of the University on Tuesday.

In a speech jointly signed by the leaders of the three associations making up the body – SSANU, NASU AND NAAT – and red by JAC chairman, Comrade Engr Okey Animba, the union lauded the Enugu State Governor, Barr Peter Ndubisi Mbah for his forthrightness in appointing a technocrat and highly experienced expert to be in charge of the affairs of the institution and also be the eyes and mouth of the government in the institution.

The union before presenting their needs, pledged to work with the new Council and assured if their loyalty and commitment.

“JAC of ESUT wishes to express our profound gratitude to His Excellency, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah for appointing an accomplished, tested and trusted technocrat, a visionary leader and humility personified as the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of ESUT Governing Council, Sir Chinyeaka Ohaa.

“There could be no better time than now for this Daniel of our time to come to judgement. Sir. JAC, on behalf of ESUT workers, pledge our loyalty, commitment and resolve to work harmoniously with your members.

“We are optimistic that you will bring your wealth of experience to bear on the numerous staff welfare needs which include: staff conditions of service which is long overdo; all outstanding promotion arrears due to ESUT workers as a result of delayed promotions; outstanding and over-due balance of 60% arrears of the Consolidated Tertiary Institution Salary Structure (CONTISS) and Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUAS).

Others are: “the wage award of twenty-five thousand naira (₦25, 000) which is currently being paid to both public and civil servants I. Enugu State. The consequential adjustment of minimum wage from date of approval to date if implementation and the implementation and arrears of earned allowances to ESUT.”

The union further appealed to the Chairman to, through his office, appeal to the University Visitor, to consider for upward review, the monthly subvention being giving to the institution.

The post JAC Issues Six-Point Needs Of ESUT Workers To New Governing Council Chairman appeared first on ESUT Monitor.

The newly appointed members of the Governing Council of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, officially assumed duties on Tuesday, March 26, 2024 following their inauguration at the State Government’s House by the Enugu State Governor and Visitor to the University, Dr Peter Ndubisi Mbah.

Led by its Chairman, Sir Christian Chinyeaka Ohaa, the new Council members were received at the University premises by members of the workers union under the auspices of Joint Action Committee, JAC.

Addressing the workers and students who gathered at the Administrative Block to welcome him, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council lauded the staff for their patience standing under the sun to offer them a befitting welcome and promised to leave no stone unturned in bringing the needed change in the university.

The former Accountant-General and Commissioner for agriculture in Enugu State appealed for the support of everyone in the university to enable the Management and Council actualize the dreams of the founding fathers of the institution

“It is a special privilege for us to be here. On behalf of our members we are happy for you people to welcome us in this manner. I hope that you will support this team to bring a change. A Change already that has started with the governor of Enugu State by earmarking and allocating a humongous amount in this year’s budget to education in the tune of 33%.

“You have given us the gun salute and in Igbo land, we know the meaning of gun salute – that you are welcoming us with open heart and mind. We decided to come today that we are inaugurated to have on-the-spot assessment of the situation here including your welfare,” he said

While acknowledging the transformative narrative in the university under the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, the new Pro-Chancellor proceeded to issue the VC a new name and gave assurance that the Council will work as a family to bring the expected development.

“I am delighted that you people are working well with the VC because the name Talk And Do, is a very wonderful name. I will be calling him VC Talk And Do. That also tells me that you are working well with the management and staff of this institution.

”I am assuring you with my members that we are going to work as a family. And in a family when one is sick, others will be worried; because of that, we are going to work well with you.

“But please, help us, so that all the vices that are noted in different universities in Nigeria and the world, will not be found here. All the deviants should not be among you. We will work with you, provided you will also be a police to one another so that when you see something that is threatening the fabric of this institution, you will let us know on time so that we will nip it in the bud.”

The post Chinyeaka Assumes Duties As New ESUT Governing Council Chair, Gives VC New Name appeared first on ESUT Monitor.