Michael Okpara varsity VC urges collaboration for university’s excellence

Prof. Maduebibisi Iwe, Vice-Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, has called on privileged individuals in Igboland to commit part of their resources to the university to achieve its goal of excellence.

He made the appeal during the official handover of a Chemistry Laboratory refurbished by Dr Chika Ikenga, Chairman and CEO of Eunisell Nigeria Ltd., to the university on Thursday.

Iwe, who highlighted some of the achievements of the university, expressed his administration’s willingness to collaborate with any individual or group to realise its vision of global excellence.

The vice-chancellor expressed the university’s gratitude to Ikenga, for deciding to commit part of his resources to the institution.

Iwe said that Ikenga, who was earlier conferred with Honourary Doctorate Degree by the university, had opted to provide assistance as some of those things he could be remembered for.

“He has come here to show that what he is doing elsewhere he can do it for us and with us.

“My worry, when I look at our people here at times and really hide my face to shed tears, is that many people that should bring their resources here have refused to do so.

“Probably, they stay where they are to condemn, criticise and do whatever against the university and against their children that attend the university.

“They should come here and drop something so that their children will remember them when we are no longer here.

“So, whatever we can do to make the university function let us do it,” he said.

In a brief remark, Ikenga thanked the vice-chancellor for giving him the opportunity to collaborate with the university.

He urged the university to reach to other stakeholders for collaboration, saying “university is a big institution, people don’t know to deal with it.”

Ikenga explained that academic was important to him, adding that no society developed without education.

“No matter what we do in Nigeria, if we don’t go back to education, we can’t move forward, ” he said.

Our correspondent reports that the laboratory, which is in the College of Physical and Applied Sciences, was refurbished with world-class equipment to strengthen the students’ interest in this critical area of science.