By Ruth Ani, Isiwu Nnaemek and Johnson Somadina

The newly elected ESUT Students Union Government (SUG) Executive were on Tuesday sworn into office marking the beginning of a long walk to effective leadership of prioritizing the welfare of the students and bridging the gap between the university management and the undergraduates

Among dignitaries in attendance during the inauguration of the new SUG leadership after their elections on June 26, were the Secretary to the Enugu State Government, Professor Chidiebere Onyia, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Enugu State, Dr. Kingsley Ude, as well as the Head of Public Affairs Department, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Enugu State, Paul Ikpor, were among the Resource team invited to  address the newly elected executives of the Student Union Government (SUG) of ESUT at their inauguration on Wednesday.

While speaking on the topic of the inauguration/leadership summit tagged “Ethical Leadership and Accountability in Student Union Government,” Prof. Onyia, told the SUG executives that their oath of offices were more than words but must reflect a covenant for commitment, integrity, transparency and a steadfast sense of responsibility to their fellow students and the university community at large.

He further said that the values of ethical leadership, accountability, honesty and transparency which leaders conscientiously cultivate make the followers to reap dividends of the leadership.

He urged the executives to match their campaign promises with actions so that those who entrusted them with their votes would not feel betrayed or disappointed.

“When you are an ethical leader and you make a pronouncement, you must back it with action. There must be relentless alignment of decisions with moral principles,” he said.

He also said that “ethical leadership demands courage to speak truth to power.” He equally urged the SUG executives to always interface with students, stating that feedback mechanism was  necessary for accountable and ethical leadership.

Equally, in his presentation, the Attorney General of the state, Dr. Ude, stated that judiciary must remain independent, accessible, efficient and timely.

Dr. Ude who spoke on the topic “Responsible Unionism and Service Delivery: The Missing Point and the Way Forward,”  stated that judiciary must also be fair, impartial, transparent and accountable.

Dr. Ude who was represented by Barr. Ukamaka Ikeji, enjoined the ESUT SUG to protect the rights of their fellow students, adding that responsible unionism required clarity of purpose and vision. He further described leadership as stewardship through services to the people.

In his presentation, the EFCC representative, Ikpor, who spoke on the prevalence of cybercrimes and its effects on victims and the economy, identified some cybercrimes such as identity theft, obtaining by false pretence , ransomware and advance fee fraud.

He enjoined the students to desist from get-rich-quick mentality, stating that it affects the economy negatively by discouraging foreign investment. He equally stated that culprits on apprehension  were liable to five-year imprisonment.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Vice Chancellor of ESUT, Prof. Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, who congratulated the elected SUG officials for their victory at the polls, stated that the university  had evolved new ways of approaching issues through  her continued rebranding efforts in the institution.

He informed the guests  that 100 and 200 level students of the university would be grouped together and assigned project topics which would be submitted in their final years for assessment and possible commercialization.

He regretted that most universities were suffering from certificate syndrome without  bothering  about teaching students hands-on skills which would make them to be self-reliant, adding that ESUT had built an innovation hub to impart students with relevant skills.

While urging the students to enroll for NELFund, he noted  that the Management of the university was  working assiduously to improve municipal services in the university especially in the areas of power and  water supplies.

Equally in her address, the Dean of Students’ Affairs, Prof. Mary Okwor, stated that the leadership training became necessary to give the SUG executives the solid foundation upon which they would run students’ administration.

 She enjoined the students to be exemplary in their leadership by imbibing the virtues of trust, accountability and transparency.

The Registrar of ESUT, Ambrose Ugwu swore-in the Chief Judge of ESUT SUG, Chukwuka Nnamani, who in turn administered oath of allegiance to other elected executives.

In her acceptance speech, the Acting President of the SUG, Chizaram Nwodo, expressed appreciation to the ESUT Management for providing level-playing field for all the candidates during the election, pledging to serve with integrity and to address the needs of the students.

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The Management of Enugu State University of Science and Technology, ESUT, will hold a two-day capacity building workshop for frontline staff of the institution, to be anchored by the Secretary to the Enugu State Government (SSG) Prof. Chidiebere Onyia

First of its kind in recent times, the two-day training aimed at equipping the frontline management staff with necessary knowledge to enhance productivity, work ethics and relationship among staff, holds on Thursday and Friday, 19th and 20th September 2024, respectively.

Themed “Leadership and Strategic Planning in Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria”, those expected to participate in the training include, inter alia; Deans, Directors, Associate Deans, Deputy Directors, Deputy Registrars, HODs, PARs, Deputy Bursars, Chief Accountants, Heads of units, in the university.

According a release signed by the Chairman Planning Committee, Prof Chike Anibeze and the university registrar, Chief Ambrose Ugwu and sent to ESUT Monitor, the training will hold at Esther Hall, Admiral Resort Hotel, Chaka Crescent off Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu commencing from 10am each day.

It noted that affected staff are to be seated by 9am prompt daily.

Read the press release below:

The Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie, Management, Senate, Staff and Students warmly welcome the Secretary to the Enugu State Government – Prof. Chidiebere Onyia to her Two (2) Day Training and Workshop with the theme — “Leadership and Strategic Planning in Tertiary institutions in Nigeria

Target participants are the frontline management staff of the university.

Date: Thursday 19th and Friday 20th September, 2024.

Venue: Esther Hall, Admiral Resort Hotel, Chaka Crescent off Nza Street, Independence Layout, Enugu

Time: 10am Prompt

Following this development, the Vice Chancellor, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) invites ALL the concerned Staff to this very important Capacity Building workshop.

Invitees must be seated by 9.00 am each day.

Signed;

Prof. Chike Anibeze

Chairman, Planning Committee

Mr Ambrose Ugwu

Registrar

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On the 4th of April, 2022, the Enugu State Government announced the appointment of Professor Aloysius-Michaels Nnabugwu Okolie as the new Vice-Chancellor of Nigeria’s premier Science and Technology University, Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT). The appointment was contained in a letter signed by the then Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Simon Uchenna Ortuanya. The appointment was with effect from Monday, April 4, 2022.

Upon assumption of office, Prof. Okolie anchored his administration on restoring the old values setup by founding fathers of ESUT with a purpose of making the citadel of learning to be reckoned with as one of the first-class and highly competitive universities East of the Niger with administrative and academic excellence comparable to other global top-class tertiary institutions.

“The first vision I have for ESUT is to restore the basic values of scholarship and research and to turn the minds of the academia, including the non-teaching staff into believing in themselves and getting the internal orientation arising from reflection. I will make them to believe that they are cut out to perform specific functions which have to do with promoting teaching, research, collaboration and networking between groups, trans-groups and inter-groups with a view to extending frontiers of knowledge and building a very virile community of scholars in ESUT,” Prof Okolie disclosed on his first day in office.

Since assuming office as Vice-Chancellor, he has been on a mission to transform the university into a centre of excellence that serves not only the state of Enugu, but the entire nation and beyond.

With over twenty years of academic experience, Professor Okolie is no stranger to the world of academia his research interests spanning a wide range of topics, including political theory, human rights, conflict resolution, and international relations. He has authored several books and numerous academic papers, and his work has been widely cited by scholars and policymakers alike.

Invariably, ESUT was not a novel ground for him to explore.

Under his stewardship, the University has undergone a rapid transformation that has left many observers amazed at the speed and efficiency of the changes that have taken place. These transformations cut across physical development, staff and students’ welfare, discipline, research and innovation, scholarship, revival of committee system and return to the extant culture of the University among others.

Physical infrastructure: One of the most notable achievements of Professor Okolie’s administration has been the construction of a multi-million-naira asphalted pavilion for convocation, matriculation, and other ceremonies at ESUT. This has provided a much-needed upgrade to the University’s infrastructure and has given students and staff alike a sense of pride and belonging.

Chronicles of other modest achievements that fall under infrastructural development and improvement of existing facilities include but not limited to: replacement of seats at the Julius Onah Auditorium, ESUT; replacement of seats at the Senate Chambers; installation of solar energy in the Vice Chancellor’s office; improvement of electricity supply on campus by attracting the donation of additional electric feeder from stakeholders in the state.

Below are the list of THIRTY ACHIEVEMENTS, inter alia, recorded by the Vice-Chancellor in two years of his stewardship:

1.         Increment of Medical Laboratory admission quota from 50 to 240. The latest figure was confirmed during the Senate sitting on Thursday, March 28.

2.         Creation of Five New Departments – Mathematics, Statistics, Environmental Management, History and International Studies and Mechatronics Engineering

3.         Establishment of effective calendar for ESUT.

4.         Successful conduct of Biometric verification of staff members which helped to flush out tens of “ghost workers” and millions of naira saved.

5.         Successful conduct of Regularisation of staff members

6.         Regular Payment of staff salaries and entitlements

7.         Massive Promotion of deserving staff members as well as confirmation of appointment of workers

8.         Relocation of Pharmaceutical Faculty to its permanent site in Agbani

9.         Naming of Streets and major Roads in ESUT after prominent Nigerians

10.       Creation of favourable working environment with University staff/workers’ unions and associations.

11.       Buying over of Afrihub Building and converting same to Internet hub

12.       Re-establishment of ESUT Radio, 106.5fm which is 90 percent completion

13.       Improved webometric ranking of the University by the NUC in its 2023 rankings of the Nigerian Universities where ESUT was elevated to 29 out of 111 universities in Nigeria

14.       Digitalisation of ESUT records to enhance transparency and accountability in the system, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and improve the overall quality of service delivery to stakeholders of the University.

15.       Attraction of extra 30 plots of land from host communities for the building of ESUT Secondary School

16.       About 15 hectares of land have been mapped out for planting of oil palm seedlings and pawpaw trees. The project, which involves the planting of 25, 000 seedlings of hybrid palm trees, is in the offing with the aim of making the university a major supplier of palm oil and pawpaw fruits within the next two years in Enugu State and South-East region.

17.       Back-to-back conduct of ESUT Convocation in 2022 and 2023. The last convocation, prior, was in 2016. The date for the 2024 Convocation has been set already to hold on Saturday, November 23.

18.       Asphalting of ESUT Ebeano Convocation Arena.

19.       Clearing Pharmacy Graduates to embark on National Youth Service. Prior to his appointment on April 4, some past graduates of the department were not going on the mandatory one-year national service.

20.       Full accreditation of over 89% of programmes that had undergone the NUC verification/accreditation processes.

21.       Increment of number of admitted students into the university from less than three thousand to over six thousand in 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 admission years, respectively.

22.       Attraction of the construction of one kilometre road in ESUT to be carried out by the Enugu State Government.  The road construction is expected to commence soon.

23.       Installation of Solar Energy in various hostels in the university that cost over two hundred million naira.

24.       Bringing the first helicopter to touch down ESUT premises during the 2023 Convocation ceremony on November 18, 2023.

25.       Enthroning discipline, punctuality and probity among the staff.

26.       Employment of ten able bodied men from the host communities as security personnel 

27.       Ensuring and implementing his policy of zero tolerance for cultism, social vices and examination malpractice with some students either under investigation, expelled or are facing trials in courts for their offences.

28.       Partnership with Eastwing Aviation Institute, Enugu, for the development of aircraft engineering technology in the South-East and beyond

29.       Perhaps most importantly, Professor Okolie’s administration has not owed staff monthly salaries since he assumed duty. This has been a significant morale booster for staff, who have often had to go for months without pay due to financial constraints within the University.

30.       Engagement with MTN to provide 4G network to boost internet connectivity on campus.

The list is not exhaustive.

Professor Okolie’s two-year stewardship as Vice-Chancellor of ESUT has been characterized by a strong commitment to excellence, innovation, and reform. He has demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges facing Nigerian universities, and has taken decisive actions to address them. With two years down and additional three years to come in his five-year tenure, Prof Okolie has set a standard for himself and he cannot afford to lower the guard going forward. 

Professor Aloysius-Michaels Okolie’s Profile

Aloysius-Michaels Nnabugwu Okolie, born decades ago in Umuhu village of Agwu Local Government Area, Enugu State, is a Professor of Political Science and International Relations of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN.

Prior to his current appointment, he was Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, UNN and was also Chairman, UNN Chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU).

Regarded as Disruptive Innovator, Professor Okolie holds a Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) in Political Science/Administrative Studies; a Master of Science (M.Sc.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in International Relations.  He was a Fulbright Scholar in 2004 at the prestigious American Studies Institute on United States Foreign Policy. He holds a postgraduate Diploma in Management of Higher Education from the Galilee International Management Institute, Israel.

As an erudite scholar, Professor Okolie was also a resource person to the National Defence College, Abuja, on Foreign Policy and National Security Round-table on Nigeria and her Immediate Neighbours.

He has held many leadership positions including: Chairman, Governing Council, Enugu State College of Education, Technical, 2021 till date. Vice President (2nd), Social Science Academy of Nigeria, 2021 – date. President, Nigerian Political Science Association (NPSA), 2018 – 2021. Pioneer Director, Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUBEB), UNN, 2014 – 2019.

He is a renowned international Scholar and Researcher with over one hundred and eight (108) publications to his credit. Professor Okolie belongs to several national and international scholarly and professional Associations and has served in several national and international Committees including: Member, Federal Government Committee on NEEDS Assessment of Nigerian Universities; member Committee on Bilateral Relationship between DAPAD Foundation of Japan and UNN, and member, Visitation Team to Public Universities. A devout Christian, Professor Okolie is a Knight of the Order of St. Mulumba, in the Catholic faith. He is married and blessed with adorable children

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