By Amaechi Agbo

The Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences (FMS), ESUT, Professor Uchenna Boniface Ugwuanyi, has delivered a valedictory speech to mark the successful completion of his current administrative tenure.

During his address, Prof Ugwuanyi expressed profound appreciation to the university management, academic and non-teaching staff, and students for their unwavering support throughout his leadership.

Following a track record of infrastructural and academic achievements, the FMS staff heavily endorsed Prof. Ugwuanyi for a second term in office.

During a special faculty session and the Faculty Auditorium on Thursday, Prof. Ugwuanyi reviewed his term’s progress, highlighting significant achievements in structural improvements and academic standards.

Known affectionately within the institution as “Mr. Project” due to his active development initiatives, he pointed to successful projects such as the extensive landscaping of Blocks A and B and the road grading leading to and solarisation of both the faculty buildings, among others.

He extended his gratitude to the institution’s Vice-Chancellor and his management for providing an enabling environment and praised the faculty board, heads of departments, and the student body for their dedication to maintaining peace and academic excellence on campus.

“Two years ago, you overwhelmingly gave me your mandate to serve as Dean of our dear faculty. In my terms in office, we did not sit in office. We worked in it. Together, we turned vision into evidence: Our collective scorecard is an indication that the growth and development of people is the highest calling of leadership, on this note, we strived to grow FMS in various quarters:

“Block A, once dim, now runs on solar energy. Our PG mini hall, once modest, now speaks the language of modern scholarship. The Dean’s office you see today was rebuilt not for aesthetics, but to set a standard of dignity for all our offices. We renovated lecturers’ offices across Marketing, Accountancy and Business Administration because ideas flow better where the environment respects the thinker.

“We also continued to improve the physical infrastructure of the Faculty in ways that directly enhance teaching, learning, and staff productivity. The compounds surrounding Blocks A and B were paved, giving the Faculty a more organized and welcoming appearance. The water reticulation project not only ensured a more reliable water supply but also transformed the Faculty landscape into a cleaner and more attractive environment. The generator houses for Blocks A and B were renovated to safeguard our power infrastructure, while the Faculty Library received a major facelift, creating a more conducive environment for scholarship and research. In addition, the road linking Blocks A and B was graded, improving accessibility and reinforcing our commitment to a functional and modern academic environment.

“We believed Management Sciences must be seen, heard and felt. Hence we launched and host a functional faculty website, http://www.fms.edu.ng, giving our programmes a global address. We pushed our research visibility onto Google Scholar and ResearchGate so that the work of our staff no longer sits only on shelves but on the world stage. We revised the Faculty Handbook fully to CCMAS, in line with NUC standards, and today I am proud to say: every degree and postgraduate programme in this Faculty is fully accredited. That is not luck. That is discipline.

“We chose to engage the world, not wait for it. We hosted an international conference that brought scholars to ESUT and placed our Faculty on global academic maps. We organised a Faculty Exhibition of Creativity, Arts and Innovation—because management is not only numbers, it is imagination. We instituted a Dinner and Awards Night to celebrate excellence among staff and students, because what is celebrated is repeated.

“We invested in tools for teaching and learning: a faculty photocopy machine, a projector for presentations, reticulation of our borehole for steady water, paving and landscaping of the compound so that our environment reflects the order we teach in class. We refurbished the Postgraduate programme to meet quality and international benchmarks, and we built formal linkages with industry so that our students’ attachment and experiential learning are no longer an afterthought but a structured pathway to employability,” he said.

Prof Ugwuanyi declared that under his stewardship, the faculty fought the menace of Examination malpractice to standstill, stating that it has been eradicated from the faculty. Describing his achievements as a collective vision and aspiration, the outgoing Dean charged the staff and students to ponder on the next phase of the faculty as his administration draws to a close

“Above all, we restored confidence in our examination system. Through firm policy and collective vigilance, exam malpractices and irregularities have been totally eradicated. We also nurtured what no building can give: a cordial, respectful, quality relationship between lecturers and students, and a robust spirit of welfare and cooperation among staff. A Faculty that argues well but stands together.

“Colleagues, these accomplishments are not mine alone—they are ours. They are the product of our shared vision, collective sacrifice, unwavering commitment, and belief in what this Faculty can become. Every milestone recorded during this administration reflects the dedication of members of staff and the cooperation of our students. I was privileged to serve as your coordinator, but it was our unity of purpose and collective resolve that transformed aspirations into achievements. For this, I remain profoundly grateful to every one of you.

“As my tenure draws to a close, I do not regard this moment as an end, but as a transition in the continuing journey of our Faculty. Leadership is a relay, not a destination. We inherit an institution, strengthen it to the best of our ability, and hand it over better than we found it. I therefore invite you to reflect on the future of our Faculty: What more can we do? Which new frontiers should we pursue? How can we build on the foundation we have laid together? Your ideas, constructive criticisms, and aspirations will undoubtedly shape the next phase of our collective progress.

“For my part, service has always been a calling rather than a title. Whatever role I may be called upon to play in the future, my commitment to the growth, excellence, and global relevance of the Faculty of Management Sciences and Enugu State University of Science and Technology remains unwavering. I shall continue to support every initiative that advances our shared vision of academic excellence, innovation, integrity, and institutional development.

“Permit me to conclude with this conviction: The true measure of leadership is not the length of one’s tenure, but the strength of the legacy one leaves behind and the people one inspires to continue the journey. If, together, we have built a Faculty that is stronger, more visible, more united, and better positioned for the future than we found it, then our service has been worthwhile.

“May God continue to bless the Faculty of Management Sciences. May He continue to bless Enugu State University of Science and Technology. And may He grant us the wisdom, unity, and strength to keep building an institution of which generations yet unborn will be proud of.”

Staff Endorsement for a Second Term

Impressed by the sweeping reforms and the development of state-of-the-art learning environments, the academic and non-academic staff of the faculty collectively endorsed Prof. Ugwuanyi for a consecutive second term.

Faculty stakeholders noted that continuity in his leadership would be vital to sustaining the current developmental trajectory and cementing the faculty’s position as a hub for management research and academic excellence.

The endorsement sets the stage for the upcoming faculty deanship elections, with staff voicing absolute confidence in his vision for the next two years. 

In ESUT, deanship elections are conducted every two years across the 14 faculties. The most recent major election cycle was held on August 15, 2024, ushering in new deans and returning incumbents.

The deans serve a two-year tenure, making the next round of faculty-level elections due in August this year.

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By Amaechi Agbo, Agbani

Prof Uche Boniface Ugwuanyi on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 assumed office as the substantive and 12th Dean, Faculty of Management Sciences, ESUT.

His assumption of duty followed the inauguration/handover ceremony held at the Dean’s Office.

During the handover, the former dean, Professor Chioma Oleka thanked the students, staff and board of the faculty for their support.
She enumerated her key achievements to, inter alia, include organisation of first international conference by the faculty, attracting ICT Building as well as welfare of the staff.

In his Inaugural Speech, the new Dean, Prof Ugwuanyi unveiled his his developmental plans for the faculty anchored on three agenda of academic excellence, infrastructural development and inclusive administration.

Prof Ugwuanyi who lauded his predecessor for her efforts in repositioning the faculty, said that his flagship project will be the building of a multimedia classroom for the faculty.

The former Director, Entrepreneurship Development Centre, EDC, ESUT, who is the 12th Dean of the faculty, reckoned that the faculty, with the support of staff and students and collaboration of the university management, the next two years will upgrade the faculty in academic excellence.

“My dearest and respectable Colleagues,
I stand here today humble, and grateful to the trust you bestowed, mindful of the sacrifices borne by our ancestors. I thank the distinguished past leaders of our great faculty for the services to our great institution, Enugu state and nation, as well as the generosity in cooperation towards this smooth transition.

“It is with profound gratitude and immense honour that I stand before you today as the 12th elected and returned Dean of the Faculty of Management Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, (ESUT).
May I happily and sincerely express my deepest appreciation for the overwhelming support and unanimous vote of confidence that you have bestowed upon me, allowing me the privilege to lead this prestigious and largest faculty of this great institution. Together, we will chart a course towards a future defined by excellence, innovation, and inclusive growth.

“As we embark on this journey together, my vision is rooted in a commitment to transformative leadership that prioritizes open transparency, accountability, and inclusive governance. I recognize the pivotal role that each and every one of you plays in shaping the future of our faculty, and I am dedicated to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to foster a culture of excellence and innovation.
Our collective focus will be on elevating the standards of research, teaching, and learning within the faculty. We will establish effective mechanisms to ensure the judicious utilization of resources, while also prioritizing the renewal and upgrading of our physical facilities to create a conducive environment for academic growth and development.

“I am deeply committed to enhancing the professional development and well-being of our staff members, with a particular emphasis on promoting quality assurance and eliminating negative tendencies that hinder progress. It is imperative that we cultivate a culture of respect, seniority, mentorship, and knowledge transfer among professionals, entrepreneurs, and students to foster a productive and supportive academic community.

“Furthermore, I recognize the significance of industry collaboration in enriching our academic programs and providing valuable opportunities for our students. By forging strong partnerships with industries, we can offer enhanced internship opportunities, collaborative research projects, and industry engagement initiatives that will enrich the learning experience and prepare our students for success in their chosen fields.

“In line with our commitment to academic excellence and technological advancement, I am thrilled to announce the initiation of a flagship project – the establishment of Multimedia Classroom that will revolutionize our teaching environment and equip our students with the skills needed to navigate the digital era competently. This state-of-the-art facility will incorporate modern technologies, audio-visual aids, and collaborative platforms to enhance interactive learning experiences and empower our students to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape,” The Dean said.

He appreciated the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Aloysius-Michaels Okolie and his management team for their transformative leadership in the university stressing that their effervescent administration is yielding results across all units.

“In closing, may I specially extend my heartfelt appreciation to our dear Vice Chancellor; Prof. Michaels Okolie for his friendship, invaluable support, and visionary innovative derives. His determination to uphold the fundamental values set by our founding fathers at Esut, with a renewed focus on “technology for service,” serves as an inspiration to us all.

“Under his guidance, we are embarking on a journey to revitalize our institution, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of technological advancements while staying true to our core principles.

“Our dear Vice Chancellor Michaels-Okolie’s commitment to excellence and dedication to fostering a culture of innovation have laid the groundwork for a bright future for all of us at the institution. I am honored to have the opportunity to work alongside him and the entire ESUT community in bringing this vision to fruition. Together, we will continue to strive for academic excellence, societal impact, and technological advancement, guided by the principles of service and integrity.

“It is a privilege to lead our dear faculty during such a transformative period, and I look forward to collaborating with our distinguished Vice Chancellor, his management team, and all our esteemed dear colleagues to realize our shared goals and aspirations for our great faculty of Management Sciences and ESUT at large.”

New Dean Appoints Associate, Restores Electricity Clears Vicinity, Plans Landscaping

To match words with action, at a time other deans are struggling to settle down in office, Prof Uche Ugwuanyi had already set his administration in motion even before inauguration.

First and foremost was the appointment of an erudite scholar, Dr Aloysius Tochukwu Aduma, who represented him at the handover ceremony, as the Associate Dean of the faculty. The appointment made in August received massive support and commendations.

Also, the New Dean restored electricity in the faculty. Inline with his inaugural address to ensure optimal welfare of staff and students, he promised that all staff in the faculty and departments will have their electricity supply working effectively.

The Professor of Accounting is also poised to ensure landscaping of the faculty surroundings but even before that, he has already cleared the milieu.

ESUT Monitor gathered exclusively, that the faculty could also be fumigated before students return from their long vacation in October

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