The Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province (Anglican Communion) Most Rev’d Emmanuel Chukwuma on Thursday inaugurated 4th Governing Council of Paul University, Awka, (PUA) Anambra State, with Engr Chris Okoye, as chairman.
The inauguration took place at the Council Chambers of Paul University,Awka.
Paul University, Awka is the brain-child of the Bishops of the five Ecclesiastical Provinces (currently comprising 55 Dioceses) of the Anglican Communion East of the Niger, whose vision is to establish a novel University that became a reality on Nov. 3, 2009.
Other members of the council include Prof. Ben Osisioma; Prof. Wellington Wotogbe-Weneka; Prof. Bond Anyiaeghe, Prof. C. Eze; Prof Nkechi Ikediugwu; Prof. Chris Nzotta and the Rev. Nathan Kanu.
Others are, the Rev. Johnson Ekwe, Mr. Anointing Eze, Prof. Charles Anikweze; Prof. U. Nzewi, Associate Prof. Rose Nwankwo, Dr. Gilbert Madubuike, Dr. Ekene Dibua, Dr. Stanley Agogbua and Mr. Christian Egeh.
Archbishops Chukwuma & Ibezim with the Ag. VC, Prof. Obiora Nwosu; right & Council Chairman, Engr. Chris Okoye far left arriving for the event
Archbishop Chukwuma while performing the ceremony charged the newly inaugurated members of the council to work towards driving the goal of the institution.
He urged them to bring their vast knowledge, wealth of experience and connections to bear towards the actualization of the university’s vision and mission.
Archbishop Chukwuma, who is the Proprietor of the University, said the institution was poised to increase access to quality tertiary education in Anambra State, South-East Zone, Nigeria and Africa, adding that they were very deliberate about it.
According to the Archbishop, the enormous advantages of the choice and location of the campus, especially for the physical students, cannot be overemphasized.
“We have escalated these to the cyberspace as we have digitalized and still digitalizing most of our activities.
“Taking cognizance of the need for further studies, we aim to make our postgraduate studies one of the best that can compete
favourably globally.
“In this regard, we have expanded access to this level of education through the virtual space, so that prospective students could leverage the opportunity we have provided in spite of physical distances to actualize the dream of building their capacity through our postgraduate programmes.
“The university has gotten the National University Commission’s (NUC) accreditation to run many programmes both at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels,” he said.
The proprietor further said the school was grappling with putting in place the commensurate human and physical infrastructure that would facilitate the actualization of its vision and mission.
Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Engr Chris Okoye (right) with Proprietor of the University(Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma) & Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop, Diocese Of Awka, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, during the inauguration
Archbishop Chukwuma congratulated the Ag. Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Obiora Nwosu; and the current Adjunct Dean, College of Postgraduate Studies, Prof. Godwin Onu; who fell back on the hindsight of experience to facilitate the establishment of the PG college.
To the new council, Archbishop Chukwuma said, “May I begin by thanking every one of you for answering to our clarion call in spite of your busy schedules, you accepted to serve as members of our University’s Governing Council bearing in mind the strategic importance of this body as well as its enormous duties and responsibilities.
“You were carefully selected and chosen given your pedigree and achievements in your respective fields of endeavour.
“So, we are counting on your vast experience and support to assist us navigate successfully through our challenges.
“You have your own vision and dreams of our university, how you intend to go about the actualization and the heights you want the institution to attain before you serve out your terms as members of its Governing Council.
“I want to assure you that we are open and welcome your innovative and inventive ideas and proposals,” he assured.
Responding, the Pro-Chancellor & Chairman of Council, Engr Chris Okoye, pledged that members of the council would ensure that the vision of the founders of PUA is realized within the life of the current council.
He said the governing council had a duty to facilitate the general control and superintendence over the policy, finances and property of the University, including its public relations, among many other functions.
He explained that members of the Governing Council should internalize the call to subordinate themselves for the collective goal of fostering institutional greatness as underlined by the School’s motto.
“We should endeavour to continuously sacrifice our individual member’s aims for the collective goal of marshalling the University into a globally recognized path of academic freedom and critical enquiry,” he advised.
The event was attended by the Archbishop, Province of the Niger and Bishop, Diocese Of Awka, Most Reverend Alexander Ibezim, representative of the Chairman, Board of Trustees, and former Deputy Governor of Rivers State, Sir Alabo G.T.G. Toby; the Deputy Vice Chancellor Academics, Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna; the Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration Prof. Godwin Onu; and the Ag Registrar and Secretary to Council.
