The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Nsukka Chapel has urged Prof. Simon Ortuanya the newly appointed substantive Vice-chancellor of University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) to use his tenure to restore the lost glory of the university.
This call is contained in press statement issued on Friday signed by Comrade Ike Okenyi and Comrade Brendan Eze, Chairman and Secretary of the chapel respectively.
The statement said as Ortuanya awaits his official handover on August 10th, NUJ is optimistic that the new VC had mapped out strategies that would revamp the institution to enable UNN (Lion den) to roar again.
” As Prof. Ortuanya awaits his official inauguration as the new Vice Chancellor of this prestigious university, the union hopes that he has mapped out strategies that will will restore the lost lost glory of the institution so that it can roar again.
“Though, the task of rebuilding the university may be challenging, NUJ enjoins the VC to carry everybody along, serve with the fear of God, be steadfast as well as bring his wealth of academic and administrative experience to bear”, the statement noted.
NUJ Nsukka Chapel congratulated Ortuanya on his victory as the 16th substantive Vice Chancellor of UNN
and first Nsukka indigene to occupy the exalted position of VC in UNN.
“Your appointment as VC of UNN has laid to rest decades of agitations by Nsukka people, your victory was for the entire Nsukka people of Enugu North Senatorial District.
“The appointment of Prof. Ortuanya has ended decades of agitations by the host communities that have been clamouring for an indigenous Vice Chancellor of the premier university.
“It’s not in dispute that since the inception of the university in 1960, no Nsukka indigene has been appointed the Vice Chancellor of UNN.
“Resulting in the agitations of perceived marginalization of the host communities on the leadership cadre of the institution,”the statement said.
The statement commended Dr Peter Mbah, the Governor of Enugu State for the strategic rolee he played in actualising this aged long dream of Nsukka people.
It would be recalled that, the Governing Council of UNN chaired by Dr. Kayode Ojo, the Pro-chancellor and Chairman of the Council, had on August 3 announced the appointment of Prof Simon Ortuanya as the 16th substantive Vice-chancellor of UNN
Ortuanya was former a Commissioner for Education as well as former Secretary to Enugu State Government.
The new VC is expected to take over from Prof Oguejiofo Ujam, the Acting VC whose six months tenure would expired on August 10.