Ebeano City — The Faculty of Biological Sciences at the Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) on Thursday held a colourful sent-forth ceremony to celebrate the distinguished career of its pioneer Dean, Professor Emmanuel Ogu, as he bowed out of service after decades of meritorious service to humanity

The ceremony held in the Faculty Auditorium, drew the University Management, Colleagues, Staff, students, from within and outside the university who gathered to celebrate a career defined by extensive research, dedicated mentorship, and a deep commitment to the advancement of biological sciences in Nigeria.

Representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chike Nwoha, in his message of goodwill extolled the leadership and dignity in service of the pioneer Dean, describing him as a man who served humanity in humility.

Prof OKolie revealed the University’s intention to re-engage Professor Ogu following his mandatory six-month post-retirement break, citing his invaluable expertise.

“Prof Ogu is a man who served this university with everything in him. We are proud of him and that was why he headed two faculties as dean. Responsibilities he discharged with fear of God and commitment to humanity.

” Today, we are not celebrating his retirement, we are celebrating his legacy, the ideals he is leaving behind. One thing is certain, the erudite schooler has etched his name in the history book of humanity and today we honour him,” the VC said.

Professor Ogu popularly known as “Onye isi Oche” meaning “Chairman” holds a unique place in ESUT’s history. Having previously served as the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences for over five years (covering two tenures plus the COVID-19 extension), he became the first Dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences following the split of the Natural Sciences department into Physical and Biological faculties.

Speaking with the ESUT Monitor Newspaper, the Professor of Brewing Science and Technology expressed gratitude to the university management, staff and students of both the old and new Faculties for their support.

He expressed his willingness to continue to serve humanity in any other endeavours if called upon adding that he will always be a part of the university that made him

“First and foremost, I want to appreciate God for His grace and favour upon me in guiding me through my service years in ESUT.

“To the Vice-Chancelor and his management team, the students and staff of both FANS and now FBS, I thank you for your loyalty. It was Indeed years of service in gratitude. I am eternally grateful to my family for their support in these years. To the students that I was privileged to teach, it’s an honour and my prayer is that the child should be greater than the parents.” he said.

Several speakers including students expressed appreciation to the retiree and thanked him for his years of service to the faculty and the university.

Professor Ogu who retired on April 10, 2026 handed over the administration of the Faculty to the then Associate Dean, Dear Peter Eze who is now the Acting Dean.

While his formal classroom days have come to an end, Professor Ogu is expected to remain a vital resource for the scientific community.

During his retirement address, he encouraged the younger generation of researchers to remain resilient despite the challenges facing the Nigerian education sector.

​His retirement marks a transition for the Faculty of Biological Sciences, which now looks to build upon the foundation laid by one of its most respected veterans. As he steps into this new phase, the ESUT community honors a man whose career was dedicated to the pursuit of truth through the lens of the natural world.

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The date was Tuesday, December 16. It had dawned like every other day. However, for the staff and students of the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, it was not just a normal day.

And all road led, indeed, to the Chemical Departments as it sends forth two of its retiring staff from the system.

First, the entrance of the department, adjacent to the ESUT Catholic Chaplaincy building, wore a different mien. The students, not oblivious of the activities of the day, were seeing in circles, conversing in whispers. Staff were busy putting “things in order”. The mood was more sober than Joie de vivre

The office of the Head of Department of Chemical Engineering was the venue of the Send-forth Party in honour of the retirees. The HOD, Associate Professor Ebere Ejikeme, looked radiate. Her gait, cheerfulness were effervescent.

The staff had gathered and the students were ready to make presentations – music was belaying. The spacious HOD’s office was swallowed up by crowd, made up of invited and largely by united “guests” to honour the two revered men, erudite scholars and mentors in the department, Prof Gordian Mbah and Dr Aniokete Thomas who bowed out from service after serving the university for decades.

While Dr Aniokete Thomas sat placidly, observing and watching the ceremony as it unfolded, Prof Gordian Mbah was nowhere to be found. But it was reported, and our reporter gathered authoritatively, that he was in Imo State for a national assignment. One would assume without contradiction, that Prof Mbah was bodily present in Imo State because his spirit hovered around the department in Agbani. He was regularly on the phone with the HOD to get first-hand information about the party organised in their honour.

To have served the University for 35 years or less without blemish, is distinguishing. Thus, the students of Chemical Engineering came out in numbers through drums, dancing and drama presentations, to honour their long-standing lecturers who had impacted on them. Their drama displays and dancing were nostalgic. Evocative. Graphic. Recollecting.

The staff were moved even as the dramatis personae left the stage in tears. The realisation that Prof Gordian Mbah and Dr Aniokete Thomas would no longer entre the lecture halls, to teach, guide and mentor them, was a heavy reality to comprehend.

Dr Aniokete’s short but impactful speech was chronicling. Although he had his speech written, he almost never read through it.

He started “Esteemed members of the department, I am truly humbled by this historic send-forth ceremony. Your decision to organise a formal farewell – the first ever in our department – speaks volumes about your appreciation of service and legacy…

“Over the years, this department became my academic family. Teaching, supervising, mentoring and learning alongside you, has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. To the students, you were the reason the long hours mattered; seeing you grow into capable engineers remains my greatest reward.

“Though I retire from active duty today, I do not retire from my love for the department. I leave with gratitude, pride and confidence that Chemical Engineering will continue to thrive even more without us.”

We will miss them – HOD

In paying her tribute, the Head, Department of Chemical Engineering, Associate Professor Ebere Ejikeme said the department and the university would miss the duo. She described them as among the best hands the department had and wished them well.

“Interestingly, both of them taught me. They are among the best we had and we will miss them. {Professor Mbah distinguished himself in everything he did for the department. Dr Aniokete was exemplary. They were committed to work and gave their best. I wish them all the best,” she said.

If I had my way, I would retain them – Prof Chime

On his part, the Dean, Faculty of Engineering, Professor Thompson Chime said both lecturers made impact in the department and university at large, stressing that if it were in his powers, he would not allow them leave.

“I have known Professor Mbah for decades. Dr Aniokete also came through the ranks. They are among the best brains we have here. They were committed to their responsibilities.

“Professor Mbhh didn’t join in the ceremony because he is on national assignment. That tells you the kind of person he was here. I have no doubt about Dr Aniokete and what he can do. The truth is that if have the power, I would not let them go. But this is the reality we must face. I congratulate them on serving the university and humanity with nobility.”

“God will Guide them, they’re Leaving for Good” – Fr Agu

​A staff and Ph.D student in the Department, Rev. Fr Engr Francis Agu described the duo as easy-going, very committed to their duty. While asserting that the department and the university will miss them, Father Agu however stressed that they were leaving for good adding that God will guide them accordingly

“Retirement is the end of a chapter which gives room for a new book to begin. Professor Mbah taught me from BSc, Masters to my current Ph.D programme here in ESUT. We really enjoyed him, he’s a very wonderful man, very caring. He’s a father.

“Also, Dr. Aniokete has been a very wonderful friend. He didn’t teach me, but we came together as colleagues, and he has been so wonderful as well. We are happy celebrating them today as they are retiring. Seriously, we will miss both of them because they have been so wonderful. We pray that God Almighty will protect them as they go and guide them in any area of their endeavours,” he concluded

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