Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, VC of MOUAU.
By Nkechi Agu
In consideration of the circumstances under which Prof. Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe, Vice Chancellor of Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), earned a vote of confidence from the Staff and Management of the institution, who further said he had performed beyond expectations and deserved commendation and maximum support.
At a meeting attended by Deans, Directors, scores of Professors and others, with Abia indigenes in majority, the staffers were unanimous that Prof. Iwe’s performance in the last three years had not only been outstanding but courageous, given the circumstances under which he had been operating.
In a motion moved by Prof. Donatus Igbokwe, a former Dean and supported by Prof. Princewill Ogbonna, the Dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, staffers agreed that the tenure of Prof. Iwe as Vice Chancellor had been characterised by academic and infrastructural achievements.
They held that despite meagre resources and embargo on employment through IPPIS, Prof. Iwe had posted a superlative performance in office.
They accordingly requested massive support from both staff and students and the host communities for the Vice Chancellor to enable him do more for the institution.
They noted that since the establishment of the university, Prof Iwe was the only Vice Chancellor who took the issue of release of take-off grant for the institution seriously by interfacing with various levels of government on it.
They also pointed to his doggedness to ensure the release of Certificate of Occupancy for the university which gave it access to all lands donated to the university.
They appealed to all land donors to cooperate with the peaceful administration of Prof. Iwe, especially now that he has embarked on the aggressive development of the university’s permanent site.
In his remarks, Mr. Bobby Ariwodo, Chairman of Abia State staff in MOUAU, explained that the meeting was convened to assure Prof. Iwe of the support of his brothers and sisters in the university.
He said Prof. Iwe had not only made Abia State proud as an astute administrator but had ensured justice and equity for the entire staff.
Speaking also, Prof. Ike Nwachukwu, a former Dean and Director, asked all staff of MOUAU to support the Vice Chancellor to end well in line with all his academic and non-teaching developmental and infrastructural initiatives.